Title: An Overview of Sex Offender Treatment for a Non-Clinical Audience: A Training Curriculum
Headings: CENTER FOR SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT
CENTER FOR SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT
An Overview of Sex Offender Treatment for a Non–Clinical Audience
A Training Curriculum
A Project of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
Short Version
Section 5: An Overview of Sex Offender Treatment for a Non–Clinical Audience
What to Look for in a Treatment Provider
10 Minutes
TOPIC: LACK OF STANDARDIZED CERTIFICATION OR OTHER CREDENTIALING IN MOST JURISDICTIONS
(5 Minutes)
Use    Slide #2: Lack of Standardization
Use    Slide #3: What to Look For in the Absence of Defined Standards
What to Look for in the Absence of Standards
Slide    #4 and Slide #5: ATSA Suggests Specialized Training
Helpful Guidance from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Use    Slide #6: Other ATSA Requirements for Treatment Providers
Slide    #7 and Slide #8: Ethical Treatment Practice
Use    Slide #9: Sex Offender Treatment Providers as Collaborative Partners
Sex Offender Treatment Providers as Collaborative Partners

Content: Sinclair,   1998). Some states, including Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Virginia,   and Washington, certify or otherwise regulate sex offender treatment   providers. In these states, to become certified or licensed as sex offender   treatment   providers, mental health clinicians must obtain specific academic training,   clinical experience, continuing education, and commit to specified ethical   standards. What to Look for in the Absence of Standards
How do you know what to look for in a treatment provider if you are from   a state that has no such regulations? Most community–based sex offender   treatment providers have graduate degrees in such fields as social work,   counseling, and   psychology. 1 Some have doctoral degrees, and a few are M.D.’s (psychiatrists). There are not, however, any mainstream degree–granting programs that   train students to treat sex offenders. As we’ve discussed in an earlier   section, working with sex offenders typically involves working with individuals   who do not want to be treated, at least initially. And many of them are   very manipulative. Furthermore, there are specific skills and knowledge   that are utilized with these individuals that typically are not used   with other types of clients.