1st Edition

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Sex Offenders A Treatment Guide

By Abigail Kolb Copyright 2024
292 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

292 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

292 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This treatment guide allows clinicians to effectively integrate dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as a psychological treatment with men who have committed sexually motivated offenses. It provides clinicians with the most current, evidence-based research about sex offenders' risks and treatment needs, and draws upon the therapeutic techniques of DBT and cognitive behavioural therapy. This guide... Read more

Part 1: Introduction to Skills Training & Mindfulness

            Chapter 1: An Overview of DBT

Chapter 2: Preparing Your Client for DBT Skills Training

Chapter 3: Group Dynamics and Expectations, and the Bio-psycho-social Model of Sexual Offending

Chapter 4: Core Mindfulness Skills

Part 2: Sexual Regulation Skills

Chapter 5: Healthy Sexuality, Intrusive Thoughts, and Compulsive Behaviors

Chapter 6: CALM and CLASP Skills

Chapter 7: Thinking Errors & Risk Factors

Chapter 8: Understanding My Offence 

Part 3: Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

Chapter 9: Intimacy, Relationships, and Interpersonal Myths

Chapter 10: DEAR MAN & GIVE FAST Skills

Chapter 11: Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills in Relationships and Relationship Barriers

Chapter 12:  Empathy

Part 4 Emotion Regulation Skills

Chapter 13: Acknowledging, Identifying, and Regulating Emotions        

Chapter 14: Changing My Emotional Responses and Conditioning Wise Mind

Chapter 15: Coping Ahead

Part 5: Distress Tolerance Skills

Chapter 16: STOP and CABB Skills

Chapter 17: Self-Soothing, Wise Mind ACCEPTS and RAW PAR Skills

Chapter 18: Dialectical Abstinence, Relapse Prevention, and Sexual Safety Plan

Biography

Dr Abigail Kolb, Ph.D., is an associate professor of criminology at the University of West Georgia. Her research has primarily focused on gender and offending. She is also a licensed social worker and has worked in forensic mental health for over a decade, focusing on the treatment of sexual offenders. As a trained DBT practitioner, she hopes to help other clinicians implement this treatment modality for sex offenders.

“Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is an empirically validated treatment that has been used with diverse populations. However, there has been minimal guidance for clinicians wishing to use this approach with men who have committed sexually motivated offences. Dr. Kolb’s treatment guide remedies that oversight. Clinicians and clients will benefit from the careful application of DBT to the criminogenic needs relevant to sexual offending.  The reader will find clear direction, structure and ample handouts and exercises.  A much needed treatment guide grounded in the latest empirical research and best practice.”

Dr. Anton Schweighofer, R. Psych, Canada

 

“Dr. Abigail Kolb has written a groundbreaking book proposing a new and unique approach to working with sexual offenders. The pairing of CBT principles with DBT concepts and skills for this population is superb. Dr. Kolb has synthesized complex theories and material into an understandable, easy to use manual. The author’s use of compassion and balance while maintaining therapeutic boundaries is lovely. Dr. Kolb may have revolutionized sex offender therapy for both clients and clinicians.  I truly believe that this book will quickly be considered an essential sex offender treatment manual for many years to come.”

Dr. Lyne Piché, Registered Psychologist, British Columbia, Canada

“Dr. Kolb has done extensive work to progress the use of DBT in sexual offender treatment. She has taken such work to a new level! Clinicians and researchers would gain tremendous insight into utilising a more novel and exciting approach that can hopefully address the limitations of the CBT- Relapse Prevention Model in the treatment of sexual offenders.”

Dr Joseph Sakdalan, Sexual Offender Treatment and DBT specialist