Population served/Target Population: 

Young males, ages generally ranging from  9-13 years.

Estimated Duration for Program Completion: Approximately 1 ½ to 2 years.

Admission Criteria: 

1. Entrance to this group is determined through an interview with the lead group therapist.
2. Must meet age requirements: 9-13 years. 
3. Persons are excluded based on some criteria:
1. Have a thought disorder.
2. Intellectual functioning falls into the mental retardation range.
3. Denies sexually inappropriate behavior.
4. Generally persons should possess basic reading and writing skills due to written requirements, but accommodations can be made address difficulties in these areas.
5. Participants should possess some ability to interact with age similar peers in a non-aggressive fashion. 

General Treatment Plan Goals:

1. Refrain from sexually abusive behavior for duration of treatment.
2. Identify and express feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with sexual acting out behaviors.
3. Develop understanding of impacts of their behavior on others.
4. Develop and implement coping skills for managing emotions and behavior appropriately.
5. Develop and implement safety planning skills
6. Develop healthy sexual identity, including understanding of healthy sexual behavior and functioning.
7. Improve social skills and social interactions with age appropriate peers.

Other more specific goals can be added to an individuals treatment plan based on individual issues.

Model of Treatment:

The treatment approach to this group follows a primarily cognitive-behavioral model, with minimal insight-oriented focus as well.  This approach is based on the belief that members can develop some understanding and basis for new skills through discussion and practice. Successful treatment depends on the development and implementation of new skills as a way to establish a return toward a healthy social and sexual development track.  The group approach offers members a safe place to learn and practice new skills with peers.  The group capitalizes on a developmental stage in which peer influences are very important.  Individual sessions are conducted as needed as an  adjunct to group sessions to assist with group assignments and to address additional therapy goals.

Performance/Discharge criteria:

          Successful completion of the group is based on the adolescent's performance on the group assignments as well as other treatment goals.  Generally, this includes having completed all homework assignments and having demonstrated an ability to implement new skills outside of sessions.  Attempts are made to monitor the adolescents performance by review and discussion of their assignments and consultation with others involved in their life such as parents, foster parents, case workers, probation officers, school representatives, etc.  Successful discharge does not guarantee no new offending behavior.  Discharge occurs when  members have gained maximum benefit from the program, including knowing personal risks and when to return to counseling should new problems arise.  Completion of the program is not based on attending a set number of sessions or attending for a pre-determined length of time.

        Group members are expected to follow group rules of conduct.  Absolutely no fighting or other illegal activity of any kind is tolerated.  Members are expected to participate in the group process as part of compliance with treatment.  Efforts are made to help members work through anxieties that may interfere with participation.  If members have to be removed from group sessions on a continual basis due to disruptive behavior, they can be removed from the group for a fixed period of time or permanently based on individual issues.

Payments Accepted:

Acceptable payment includes Medicaid, insurance, and self-payment.  Persons should check with their insurance carriers to determine payment eligibility.  Although insurance may sometimes pay for this service, the extended duration of this program has sometimes exceeded the limits of third-party providers.  It is best to check with your insurance agency and our billing office to clarify these issues prior to receiving services.  

Contact Person: Misty Coleman, LISW

Last modified: December 23, 2007