If you are a lawyer representing a client whose sexual behaviour conflicts with the law:
You understand the legislation supportive of the rehabilitation of adolescents and adult males who sexually offend. At Focused Psychological Services, we applaud your efforts to make available to your clients the most effective interventions that promote public safety and rehabilitation. We are here to help.
We focus our consultation, assessment, and treatment services on clients whose criminal charges are disposed, however, prior to this, planning is obviously required. If you have a client who is agreeable to intervention and for whom the sentencing principle of rehabilitation is primary, please call us to explore how we can assist.
We can also help to examine proposed supervisors in accordance with orders of prohibition, under Section 161.1(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Our professional reports can be used to aid judicial decisions on the suitability of candidates.
Our primary therapist, Diane Chisholm, has served as an expert witness in criminal trials, judicial reviews, and child protection proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is online therapy?
Online therapy is live, video-based counselling using your laptop or mobile phone. Online therapy resembles face-to-face therapy, the difference is that with online therapy you receive services from the comfort of your own private space. You need:
- a computer or mobile with up-to-date security software and a high-speed internet connection
- a dependable internet connection
- a quiet private space.
We recommend the use of headphones with a microphone.
Can I complete work with Focused Psychological Services to reduce my upcoming sentence?
No. We focus our services on adolescents and adults following sentencing. Services are for people who sincerely want to improve their lives and live a law-abiding lifestyle.
Can I increase my chances of receiving probation or a conditional sentence by offering in court to participate in assessment and treatment at home?
If you are motivated to participate in assessment and treatment for your sexually abusive behavior, this notion could be worth discussing with your lawyer. Focused Psychological Services will only discuss your case with your lawyer with your informed written consent.
Am I required to believe I committed a sexual offence to receive treatment?
No. Empirical research reports progress can be achieved toward a law-abiding lifestyle amongst males who believe they did not sexually offend. [1, 2]
I have an order of prohibition under section 161.1(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada that prohibits me communicating with children without a supervisor. Can Focused Psychological Services authorize a supervisor?
The Criminal Code of Canada limits this authorization to the court. Focused Psychological Services recommends you consult with a lawyer to determine if our company can assist in your circumstance. We can work with you, your family, and your proposed supervisor to prepare a report for court for a judicial official to make an informed decision about the appropriateness of a proposed supervisor.
What is the length of sessions?
55-60 minutes
How many sessions are required to complete assessment?
The number of sessions varies from client to client based on factors such as: talkativeness of the client, cooperativeness in clearly answering questions, literacy, speed of reading and listening, and complexity of challenges.
Focused Psychological Services can usually complete the gathering of information within three sessions, including interviews with collateral contacts.
How many sessions is treatment?
The length of treatment varies considerably from person to person, depending on factors such as: the level of treatment therapeutically indicated based on the results of assessment, talkativeness of client, motivation, literacy, speed of reading, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, the ability to clearly address therapeutic questions, and the complexity of challenges.
A client’s motivation and ability to read and write greatly affects the number of treatment sessions required.
[1] Dealey, J. (2018). Moving beyond the risk paradigm: Using the Good Lives Model with offenders in denial of sexual offending. European Journal of Probation, Vol. 10 (1).
[2] Fourie, J. (2017). Treating sexual offenders who categorically deny their offending. Practice: The New Zealand Corrections Journal, Vol. 5 (1).