Forensic services are often court ordered or recommended services. These services are often not covered by most insurance plans since they are not deemed medically necessary.
Psychosexual Evaluations
Psychosexual evaluations are specialized assessments that go beyond traditional psychological evaluations to focus on aspects of sexuality. A psychosexual assessment is an evaluation that focuses on an individual’s sexual development, sexual history, paraphilic interests, sexual adjustment, and victimology. The evaluation may also address the client’s potential risk for sexual reoffense or for engaging in ongoing sexually inappropriate behavior. It includes a full social history, familial history, employment/school history, case formulation, and specific treatment recommendations. The recommendations typically address the management of any potential risk and deficits in the client’s emotional and behavioral functioning. The evaluation is intended to assists attorneys and courts (prior to sentencing for adults), foster care and social service agencies that work with sexually reactive children or children who have been sexually abused. The evaluation typically includes a clinical interview, the administration of psychological testing along with a review of records and contacting collateral information sources. Such an evaluation is not appropriate for determinations of guilt or innocence.
Specialized Sex Offender Group Services
Psychological Associated offers group base services to adults and adolescents within the community. Traditional sex offender treatment differs from other forms of counseling. Sex offender treatment has the goal of protecting the community from further inappropriate behaviors. The group therapist may employ confrontational approach to assist the client to take responsibility for their behavior and develop a plan to establish healthy, prosocial goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used within in a group setting along with skills training with a goal to reduce deviant interest, improve, and develop health function, increasing empathy, modify cognitive distortions related to offending, understanding the offense cycle, develop alternative behaviors, and establish safety plans to prevent relapse.