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| Steven E. Mussack, PH.D.
Psychologist and Program Director |
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- Weekly attendance with a call 24 hours in advance for absences
unless there is an emergency.
- Arrive on time. It is considered disrespectful and not caring
for self or other group members to be late.
- No violence or threats of violence. It is considered
appropriate to express anger but not to threaten or cause harm to come
to self or others.
- No food or drinks in group. This can serve as a distraction to
self and others. It can also serve as an ingratiating, attention
seeking behavior in the case of a "candy man", someone who
passes out goodies to others. We have seen this type of behavior
on several occasions and found it to be a symptom of low self image.
- Pay attention in group. Day dreaming and closing off is
considered hurtful behavior to both self and others. Disruptive
behavior is considered in the same manner.
- Confidentiality. It is considered appropriate to share with
anyone what the offender himself or herself and the therapists do in
group but not to discuss what someone else has done in any way which
he/she could be identified.
- Disclose any new offenses to the group. A group member will
not automatically be discharged if they do report. They are made
aware that they must be responsible for the consequences of any new
offense and that the group will support them through this
process. Failure to report any new offenses may result in
discharge from the group.
- No secrets. Secrecy prevents the offender from obtaining help
they need and also prevents others from having the opportunity to both
provide the help and learn from other's experiences.
- Be a true friend. A true friend is considered someone who will
confront inappropriate behavior that he sees in group or is aware of
outside the group. Failure to be a friend promotes deviancy and
is secret keeping. Any group member who chooses not to confront
another member when he is aware of a problem is considered to be as
responsible for the continued behavior as the member who is exhibiting
the behavior. We also consider it just as important to point out
successes and progress.
- Bring a pad and something to write with each group.
- Bring a tape recorder to each session to record the session.
The tape is expected to be thoroughly reviewed prior to the next
session.
- Create your own consequences for failure to follow the group
rules. The purpose for a consequence is to promote the
occurrence of desired behavior. Each group member is expected to
develop consequences for his own behaviors which they can implement
themselves and which are severe enough that following group rules is
more desirable than the consequence. Additionally, this process
places responsibility for self control in their own hands. Such
self devised consequences are to be presented to the group and/or
program staff for approval. The primary criteria placed on the
consequence is that it involve some activity which is of benefit to
others and poses on risk to self or community. If the
inappropriate behavior reoccurs the offender must develop another,
more severe self imposed consequence. Should the offender again
repeat a similar behavior expulsion from the treatment program may
occur.
- Complete all homework on time. Failure to complete homework on
time results in the imposition of a behavioral consequence which the
group member devises themselves and completion of the homework by the
next session. Homework is a regular part of therapy. Group
homework assignments are expected to be completed within the time
frame given by the therapists. Individualized homework
assignments are presented to the member, with an explanation of the
purpose, goals and timelines, as an open contract. The member
must then agree to the plan before he is expected to complete the
assignment. Negotiation is both expected and supported.
The negotiation is done with input from other group members to prevent
the development of a contract which is too simple or which has
unrealistic timelines. Once a contract is reached and the member
is expressing a willingness to
complete the contract, they are expected to do so, on time. They
are given the freedom to renegotiate timelines at any time prior to
when the homework is due. This may necessitate a call to the
therapist between sessions. Such negotiation may or may not be
acceptable. It is not acceptable to come to group when the
assignment was due and attempt to renegotiate. There will be
frequent instances where specific homework assignment will be given as
an expected and important component of therapy and completion is
required. Members frequently overestimate their abilities which
results in a contract breach and their implementation of consequences.
This process aids the member in recognizing both his limitations and
abilities. Efforts will be consistently made to understand and
identify difficulties a group member may have in completing an
assignment and support for resolving these difficulties will be
provided. Failure to complete two homework assignments within a
60 day period may result in expulsion from the group.
- All homework is to be available to be shared within the group.
Homework review will be done by both program staff and other group
members. Review of homework of other program members is an
expected part of program participation.
- Active participation in group is expected. Each group member
is to enter into group discussions, place self regularly on the group
agenda and facilitate participation of other group members.
- Regular payment of group fees is expected.
- Full introduction of personal sexual deviant histories will be a
regular component of group participation.
- Each member is expected to involve family members in his therapy to
the extent they are able and willing.
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