Outpatient group therapy with adult male sex offenders: Clinical issues and concerns

Outpatient group treatment of adjudicated male sex offenders presents multifaceted clinical challenges. Major goals of treatment are (a) elimination of inappropriate sexual ideation and behaviors in the offender and (b) development and practice of relapse prevention skills. Pertinent clinical concerns of a sex offender population include personal losses and external pressures at the outset of treatment, ongoing intevace with the mental health, legal and child protection systems, changes in the offender's interpersonal system and changes in the offender's sexuality. Therapists working with this population require broad-based clinical skills, an ability to coordinate legal and mental health domains, and attention to self-care.