Sex Offender Treatment Program

The Melbourne Private Psychology sex offender treatment program is an individual program for men who have been charged with an online or offline sexual offence. It is administered face-to-face or via telehealth/videoconference by a psychologist. It has been designed to reduce the risk of reoffending while fostering personal growth, accountability, and resilience. Utilising the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) framework, the program is adapted to suit the client's risk profile, criminogenic needs, and individual differences.

Program Content

The program is flexible and open-ended but typically takes place on a fortnightly basis over a period of approximately 12 to 24 months, and usually includes the following components:

  • After a clinical interview, we utilise state-of-the-art psychometric assessment tools to provide risk, personality, and clinical formulations to plan treatment.

  • We create a personalised treatment plan utilising RNR, Good Lives, Self-Regulation, and Relapse Prevention models and incorporating other clinical and therapeutic formulations where relevant.

  • These sessions aim to enhance the participant's understanding of the motivational underpinnings of their issues, focusing on the relationship between various factors such as their situation, substance use, childhood experiences, mental health, emotions, relationships, thought processes, and offending behaviour.

  • We provide individualised, offence-specific therapy using techniques from Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed therapy, and other evidence-based techniques relevant to the client’s treatment plan. The number of sessions may vary according to individual needs and progress.

  • Sessions incorporate skill development such as emotional regulation, social skills, communication skills, problem-solving, self-regulation, coping with anxiety and depression, and managing alcohol use.

  • Where it is deemed suitable, participants receive personalised homework assignments designed to apply therapy skills to real-world scenarios.

  • We help develop a personalised relapse prevention plan based on the individual's unique offence process and therapy insights.

  • Ongoing treatment is available to ensure continued support and effective application of learned skills.