Cognitive behavioral therapy with a strong relapse prevention component is recognized as the most effective treatment for sexual offenders. Medical assessment and medication are also used in selected cases, to decrease problematic sexual arousal and/or normalize sexual behavior. Although there is no guarantee that every patient will succeed, the Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta (BMI) has been successful in helping over 90% of patients gain control over their problematic behavior. Generally, treatment is provided within a group setting and organized in modules to cover all aspects of inappropriate sexual behavior. The same treatment, however, is available on an individual basis with your therapist.

Evaluation

The psychosexual evaluation will include a clinical interview, psychological tests and questionnaires. BMI does not use plethysmography (direct genital measurement) or show nude images to clients but uses Abel Assessment for sexual interest 3 (Visual Reaction Time measurement).

We request collateral information such as investigative reports, victim statements, prior treatment summaries, and/or accusations and charges be sent to BMI prior to the evaluation.

Treatment Options

Standard Track: Patients meet for 54 consecutive weeks in small groups for 90 minute sessions. Targeted to each patient’s needs, the therapy focuses on stopping the dangerous or illegal behavior. The intensive phase of therapy consists of nine modules, which run for six weeks each (cognitive restructuring, odor aversion, anger management, covert sensitization, healthy sexuality, victim empathy, assertiveness training and relapse prevention). The last session of each module is a session on coping skills. There may be a situation in which an additional modality is recommended by the therapist. If so, this modality would be done on an individual basis at the direction of the therapist. At the completion of the intensive phase of treatment, each patient is reassessed to assure there have been treatment gains. If the patient has been compliant with treatment requirements and has demonstrated treatment gains and reduction in inappropriate sexual interests, the patient will transition to the maintenance of treatment. This phase of treatment consists of a 90-minute group session once per month. Costs for the Standard Track Treatment program is as follows: Group session $80, Books $15-$20, and Reassessment $200.

8-Week Fast Track Program: We offer an intensive, 8-week outpatient program for patients who need intensive short-term care. Patients are seen several times per day, five days per week. No lodging is provided. The cost for this 8-week program is $2500.00 per week, which does not include the initial evaluation, the reassessment at the end of the 8-week program ($200) or the training books. Payment is made weekly. NOTE: As with our standard track treatment, the individual enters the relapse prevention phase after completing the 8-week intensive phase.

Treatment Modules

A. These modalities are used to treat problematic sexual interest.

1. Odor Aversion: Patients learn how to associate their deviant fantasies and behaviors with the negative consequences of offensive odor inhalation.
2. Satiation: Patients learn how to satiate themselves with deviant fantasies until the fantasies are no longer erotic to them and to gradually replace the deviant fantasies with appropriate fantasies. (This modality may not be required for all patients. It is at the discretion of the treatment team and therapist).
3. Covert Sensitization: In this treatment, patients learn the full impact of the consequences of their deviant behaviors and how to remind themselves of those consequences continually so as to control their inappropriate urges and behaviors.

B. These modalities are used to target social adjustment.

1. Intimacy: Patients learn the elements of an intimate relationship and how to develop intimacy in their relationships. They also learn to improve communications and better resolve problems within relationships.
2. Healthy Sexuality: Patients learn the necessary elements for sexual consent, how to practice safe sex, and the appropriate role of sex in their life.
3. Cognitive Restructuring: Patients confront the incorrect beliefs and rationalizations that have supported their involvement in deviant sexual habits and behaviors in the past.
4. Anger Management: Patients learn to identify inappropriate anger patterns in their behavior as well as developing appropriate anger management skills.
5. Assertiveness Training: Patients learn to more effectively deal with others without aggression, passivity or passive aggressive behavior.
6. Relapse Prevention: Patients examine the motivation to be able to identify thought patterns and situations that put them at risk to act out, to develop more appropriate coping skills to deal with stress, and to make appropriate changes in their behavior.
7. Victim Empathy: Patients examine their inappropriate sexual behavior from the standpoint of the victim and examines the negative impact of their behavior on the life of the victim.
8. Coping Skills: Patients learn various techniques to help them more effectively cope with a variety of common problems such as loneliness, anxiety, boredom, stress, depression, marital discord, work problems, etc.

Surveillance

This component of the program is ongoing throughout the maintenance portion of the treatment program. Surveillance involves bringing together individuals from the patient's family, work, and social life, who, in the normal course of their lives, will come into contact with the patient. The surveillance team is taught what to watch for that will give cues that the patient may have started the chain of events that could lead him to re-offending. The surveillance network will report their observations of the patient's behavior outside of the treatment setting.

Fees

Please contact Behavioral Medicine Institute of Atlanta's office at 404-872-7929 for the cost of the initial assessment and any questions regarding our fees. Credit cards, checks and cash are accepted for all outpatient charges. We do not participate in any insurance program.

Patient Packet

Please complete and bring the new patient packet with you to your first appointment. New Patient Packet