| Psychiatric treatment for children and adolescents |
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Treatment of the adjudicated juvenile sex offender
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| One of the great tragedies of our society is molestation of children, which occurs with disturbing frequency. Victims subsequently develop what is known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which Healing Pathways Medical Clinic offers many treatments. The offender who perpetrated such a crime frequently is determined to be someone who was likewise viciously molested themselves. We identify such individuals as “abuse reactive” because they often eventually subject someone else to the atrocity that happened to them. Juveniles account for more than one-third of sex offenses against minors. Once caught, juvenile offenders are charged with a felony and are classified as “adjudicated juvenile sex offenders” — meaning sentenced for punishment through the court system.Adjudicated juvenile sex offenders are particularly difficult to treat, and therapists must draw heavily on their training and experience to overcome their strong emotional reaction about the crimes that these individuals committed in order to treat them as individuals worthy of compassionate consideration and understanding. Out-of-home placement is a specialized therapeutic setting often is necessary.
Dr. Copeland is the psychiatric consultant for many such specialized programs. He has found that these individuals commonly have accompanying conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reactive attachment disorder (RAD), developmental disorders and mood disorders, all of which Dr. Copeland can treat. Juveniles who committed sex offenses against other children are more likely than adult sex offenders to offend in groups and at schools and to have more male victims and younger victims. The majority of juvenile offenders are males. One of the most difficult aspects in treatment of adjudicated juvenile sex offenders is teaching them to empathize with other people. At its core, empathy requires an individual to truly understand what another individual is going through. Healing Pathways has found the practice of Yoga helpful in promoting expression of empathy. The Yama and Niyama branches of Yoga are instrumental as behavioral intervention methods to encourage the practice of empathy. We encourage more research in the use of Yoga practices with adjudicated juvenile sex offenders. Healing Pathways also offers treatment of learning and emotional problems and stresses in children with special education needs and psychiatric disorders in children with developmental disabilities, as well as treatment of the adjudicated juvenile sex offender and comprehensive treatment of all major psychiatric disorders. Healing Pathways: Your road to contentment begins here. |