Initially, adolescents and their parents or concerned others meet with staff for either a program screening intake interview or a more in-depth psychosexual evaluation.  Program philosophy and content are discussed and background information is gathered during the intake assessment meeting.

Each adolescent is assigned to an individual therapist who works with him or her and the family throughout the program.  Therapy consists of weekly, two-hour group sessions and one hour of either individual or family therapy.  The program consists of five phases of treatment.  Most participants complete the program in approximately 12 months, although the actual duration of treatment varies with the needs and motivation of the adolescent and his or her family.  Close communication is maintained with both the supervising agent and parents throughout the treatment process.

The first phase of treatment is referred to as the Education/Assessment Phase and is intended to provide information regarding the laws governing sexual behavior to educate clients about the dynamics of healthy versus unhealthy and abusive sexuality, and to encourage examination of the participants' values and attitudes regarding sexuality. 

During this initial phase, participants are expected to accept personal responsibility for their deviant or illegal sexual behaviors.  As a result, discrepancies between the adolescent's account and that offered by the victim are closely addressed.  Verification of full and honest disclosure regarding the presenting offense(s) is established by having the client complete a required polygraph examination before progressing to the next phase of treatment.  The polygraph examination can also verify full disclosure regarding any and all similar sexual offenses and the teen's sexual history.  The information obtained can assist in accurately determining the adolescent's risk level to the community and the treatment needs of that adolescent.  For clients who present with isolated, minimal sexual offenses or boundary violations, the Education/Assessment portion of the program may be a sufficient intervention.  Any further treatment recommendations are made by the therapist at the conclusion of this phase.  
 

Those clients who continue on in treatment address the various goals of the remaining four phases of treatment.  The core goals are designed to address the relevant dynamics of the sexual offense and perpetration that resulted in the referral to PHASE®.  Core goals that the adolescent must accomplish include recognizing and accepting responsibility for their behaviors, understanding the consequences of their actions and the impact their behavior has had on themselves and others, developing a reoffense prevention plan including healthier ways to meet their emotional and interpersonal needs, and learning new skills to prevent further abusive behaviors.

In addition, each client establishes personal and family goals to accomplish while in the program.  Examples of such goals include compliance with home rules and expectations, exhibition of pro-social behaviors in the community, development of age appropriate social relationships, and healthy expression of emotions.

Whenever feasible, there is an attempt to provide the victim with a sense of resolution.   PHASE® services provide for carefully planned and orchestrated victim reconciliation sessions.
 

Intake referrals or requests for further information can be directed to: