Current Status of North American Assessment and Treatment Programs for Sexual Offenders

Abstract

This article provides a summary of current assessment and treatment approaches in North America. With the advent of cognitive behavioral therapy in the early 1970s, programs for sexual offenders became more empirically based. Through the subsequent years, there has been both a proliferation of programs and an expansion in the range of assessment and treatment targets. Although there is some diversity, the following issues are the most commonly addressed: a life history revealing the origins of current problems; sexual functioning, including both appropriate and deviant activities and fantasies; empathy; cognitive distortions and dysfunctional attitudes; social and relationship skills; self-esteem; substance use and abuse; and anger. Assessment procedures include interviews, psychological tests, and phallometry. Treatment is typically conducted in groups within a relapse prevention framework. Fortunately, these processes seem to reduce recidivism.