Parents looking for therapeutic help for teens who struggle with sexual behavior problems can use tips given recently by Dr. Steven Bengis at a convention of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA).
In a conference speech in November in San Diego, Dr. Bengis, Director of the New England Adolescent Research Institute, Inc., told clinicians students with sex-specific behavioral problems require therapeutic intervention that is specifically designed for this unique population.
"Programs need to offer more than a special wing or hallway," Dr. Bengis noted. "Clinicians treating these children need to have specific training in sexual behavioral issues."
For some children who are likely to abuse again even while in treatment, Dr. Bengis says the physical treatment environment may require line of sight supervision at all times while students are working to internalize self-control.
He added that while many children with these problems can be treated with out-patient therapy, some of these students have complex problems and that require 24-hour supervision and therapeutic intervention.
Therapy must be designed to carefully address the treatment needs of these students
ATSA was established more than 20 years ago to facilitate information exchange in the field of sex offender evaluation and treatment. It is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of sexual abuse through effective management of sex offenders.
Oxbow Academy, located in Wales, Utah, is a residential treatment center specializing in treating teenaged boys with sexual behavioral problems. For more information please visit our website at www.oxbowacademy.net