Treatment Phases

The program is not time-limited, but instead is competency-based. In other words, residents cannot just "do their time" and complete the program. The program is based on a phase system, with advancement to the next phase requiring that residents have successfully met the requirements of their current phase. The six phases and their requirements are as follows:

Red: This is the Assessment and Evaluation phase of treatment. This is a time for the resident to become familiar with the program. This lasts at least two weeks during which the resident:

Learns the program rules

Begins learning his "thinking errors"

Adjusts to placement

Begins to build rapport with the staff

Most psychiatric, nursing, psychological evaluations are completed

The goal for this level is for the resident to show an attempt at positive behavior and to learn the rules and follow the program.


Blue (Phase 1): This is the Accountability and Responsibility phase of treatment. This is when a resident accepts responsibility for the actions that brought him into the program. It is during this time that the resident:

Gets "flooded" with information regarding boundaries, the law, consent, the A-B-C's of rational/emotive behavioral therapy, and thinking errors.

The resident will be familiar with the above topics and be able to discuss them without difficulty.

The resident's maintenance behaviors are also uncovered and discussed.

Once his behavior and knowledge of the above is proficient, he will complete his sexual abuse history and offending history. This will be discussed and revised with the resident's therapist.

Behaviorally, the resident should be reducing the instances of verbal offending as he reaches the time where he could qualify for phase advancement. He will take a time-out when directed to do so, and begin to voluntarily take time-outs on his own.


Yellow (Phase 2): This is the Offense Cycle and Disclosure phase of the treatment. A Resident learn to identify patterns of abuse that are a response to identified triggers and will:

Learn the four preconditions of sexual abuse, his offense cycle and complete his disclosure in group.

Behaviorally, he will take a time-out without needing staff to direct him to do so. If staff does need to direct him, it will be infrequent in nature and followed without comment or complaint.

He will be receiving positive feedback from staff on a daily basis. This will be the beginning of earning the status as positive role model.


Green (Phase 3): This is the Victim Empathy phase of treatment, during which the resident comes to understand how the victim was affected by the offending behavior. A resident will:

Spend a great deal of time developing an understanding of the consequences to the victim.

Be taught additional and advanced social skills.

Understand, encourage, and support new residents. Family therapy will occur regularly in preperation for discharge.

Be eligible for home or off-ground passes. These may require approval by the court; completion of a risk assessment, and assessment of the family's ability to provide the supervision needed to ensure community safety.

Work with his Therapist to identify what additional placement or services will be needed to assist the resident in reintegrating back into the community.


White (Phase 4): This is the Relapse Prevention phase of the treatment. It is at this time that the resident is required to learn and identify intervention techniques that will be successful in preventing the cycle of reoffending after discharge. This is when a resident will:

Complete the Relapse Prevention Handbook and develop a personal relapse prevention plan.

Home and off-ground passes could be occuring frequently (if all criteria is met).

Family therapy occuring on a regular basis and includes family responsibilities related to the relapse prevention plan.

Outpatient services or "step-down" programs in place.

The relapse prevention plan is forwarded to probation for inclusion in conditions of probabtion supervision, where applicable.


Clear (Phase 5): This is the Mentoring phase of treatment. The resident will have completed the offenders workbook and will be a role model for other residents. The resident is awaiting his court hearing to be reintegrated into the community. The resident consistently takes responsibility for his thoughts, behaviors and the effects that his behavior has on others.