Sex Offender Treatment Program

An individual, psychologist-delivered treatment program for adults referred before or after sentence, including people facing contested allegations where treatment is clinically appropriate. There is no group program.

Delivery: Richmond, telehealth, and approved custodial AVL or visits.

Typical pace: usually fortnightly over approximately 12–24 months, adjusted to clinical need.

Approach: RNR, Good Lives, CBT, self-regulation and relapse prevention, selected to the individual formulation.

For lawyers:

The treating psychologist provides clinical treatment and remains responsible for treatment decisions. A treatment report is not an independent forensic assessment or expert risk opinion. A report may be available on request; scope, timing and fee are agreed with the practitioner. A formal structured or actuarial risk assessment is not ordinarily part of the treatment program and, if required, should be separately instructed and where appropriate completed by a different clinician. Attendance alone is not completion. MPP does not issue program completion certificates.

Making a referral:

Email referrals@melbourneprivatepsychology.com.au or call 03 4149 1111. Please provide the referral questions, relevant court dates or orders, the current allegations or agreed facts, criminal history and available reports or collateral. Fees, report costs and current appointment availability are confirmed after the referral is reviewed.

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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.

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