Relapse Prevention Model
We believe an untreated sexual offender will always pose a higher risk to behave in a sexually deviant way. In the best of times, even a treated offender could continue to experience the urge for deviant sex. This treatment model seeks to help the offender in managing his urge for deviant sex, but not necessarily is a cure or removal of the urge to offend sexually. We focus our treatment on the identification of the offender's sexual offense chain and cycle, and the development of plans to prevent the offender from experiencing a total relapse. We develop the relapse prevention plan after extensive education on the sexual offense chain and cycle. This incorporates an examination of the progression from the initial urge through the progressive steps that culminate in the sexual offense. We then help the offender in understanding his own offensive chain and cycle, and identifying his specific preoffense thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We identify the progressive and self-reinforcing nature of the preoffense components to help the offender in recognizing that his offense is not a spontaneous event, but the product of a generally predictable series of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The relapse prevention plan then takes each step of an offender's chain and/or cycle and generates options, diversions and/or alternate behaviours that interrupt his sexual offense path. All activities carried out in therapy relate directly or indirectly to interrupting his offense chain and cycle, and strengthening the relapse prevention plan. The offender is required to acknowledge all his sexual offenses during therapy, whether they are known or unknown to people outside himself. The goals of therapy include identification of his chain and cycle of offending, reduce denial, working toward taking full responsibility, recognizing impact on victims and victim empathy, recognizing impact of victimization on family members and friends, plan for regaining trust from family members, self management of deviant sexual arousal, and working toward implementing an effective relapse prevention plan. Other issues, such as healthy attitudes toward sexuality, substance abuse and anger management are also addressed. The offender is expected to increase available coping skills for all activities, especially when stress or gratification needs are present. Usually, the offender is expected to remain in treatment for 12 to 18 months to successfully develop an effective, individualized relapse prevention plan.
[Practical Therapist & Client Workbook]
[Consent Form]
[Treatment Contract]
[Urge Control Contract]
