NCJ Number
132629
Date Published
1991
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Counselors who treat sex offenders who have abused children should recognize the major difficulties involved and should carefully plan and conduct all parts of treatment, starting with assessment and crisis intervention to empowerment and risk reduction.
Abstract
At the beginning of treatment they should inform offenders of the limits of confidentiality. They should also quickly determine how long treatment will last. Assessment techniques may include the clinical interview, the taking of a structured sex history, a psychometric evaluation, and psychophysiological measures. The assessment should determine which of five categories the offender fits: regressed, pedophile, addicted/compulsive, rapist, and symptomatic. The regressed offender is the most common. Treatment methods include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, self-help, and educational groups. Specific approaches include behavioral, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, rational-emotive, eclectic, psychopharmacological probation, and jail. The goals of treatment should focus on responsibility, power, control, affective awareness, communication, and interpersonal relationships.