|
Adult
Outpatient Page 6 |
Course Format
The psychoeducational course uses lectures, guest presentations, movies, group discussions,
in-group assignments, homework assignments, and post-tests of
each content area covered. The post-tests are administered
after each topic and must be passed at the 80% level. If
participants do not reach this level, they must do remedial
work until they are able to answer at least 80% of the
questions correctly, ensuring that the material is mastered at
a significant level.
The curriculum can be modified to meet the
specific needs of a referring agency as long as there are
enough participants to form the various groups. Additionally,
an individualized psychoeducational course can be assembled at
the request of a referral source.
|
Chaperone Program
|
Training is available for persons
who are interested in becoming approved chaperones for family
members or friends who are not allowed unsupervised contact with
minors. The chaperone is an individual identified as
providing supervision for a sexual offender when he/she is in the
presence of a minor child. The training program provides
general information about sexual offenders and the dynamics of
sexual offending, as well as specific information about the
individual who is to be chaperoned. The participants learn
about the rules and laws regarding appropriate/healthy and
criminal sexual conduct. They gain an understanding of
cognitive distortions, offender techniques for grooming victims,
the concepts of "red flags," at-risk situations,
reoffense prevention plans and probation agreements. Those
who successfully complete the chaperone program will understand
how to effectively monitor the offender's compliance with all
conditions of probation regarding supervised contact with
minors.
|
Additional
Services
Supervised Visitation
|
Supervised visitation between
offenders and their children is available at Alpha and is
provided by skilled, trained mental health professionals
experienced in the dynamics of abuse. These supervisors are able
to provide feedback and immediate intervention with respect to
inappropriate interactions, both blatant and subtle, rather than
simply offering a physical presence during the visitation
sessions. Thorough written reports examining the interactional
dynamics of the visitation participants and recommendations for
therapeutic intervention and focus are also provided. Visitation
sessions can be videotaped when requested or deemed necessary.
Cases involving alleged or adjudicated sexual
abuse perpetration, physical abuse, neglect, or emotional abuse
are all appropriate referrals. Visits usually last for
approximately one hour. Once visits are established and are
proceeding well according to the supervisor’s assessment,
visits may be held outside the office setting, with court or
social service approval, at the supervisor’s discretion.
Multi-hour visits of two hours or more can also be arranged.
|
Victims/Survivors
of Sexual Abuse
|
Individual therapy sessions are
available by appointment to explore the impact that sexual abuse
has had on the lives of those who have been victimized. All
types of sexual abuse will be addressed including past and
present abuse stemming from both within and outside the home,
acquaintance and stranger sexual assault, as well as non-contact
abuse. Services are available for males and females of school
age through adulthood. Play therapy is available for younger
children. Whenever there are a sufficient number of program
participants, group therapy is provided.
Spouses, victims, and family members can
receive services at Alpha even if the offender is not
participating in any of Alpha’s treatment programs.
|
|
 |
|
