UNCENSORED version of the March 2010 edition ... - Defense for SVP

BARRIERS TO DISCHARGE:
OVERCOMING INTIMACY DEFICITS
Dr. Jerry Kasdorf points out that “intimacy deficits,” a dynamic risk factor often cited
by state evaluators, is perhaps one of the most misused factors in our evaluations.
The problem in defining terms like intimacy is that it holds myriad different meanings
for different folks—not to mention the different cultural affectations attached to a
guy’s perception of himself, his ego structure, his maturity level… and perhaps most
importantly, where he was when he first began to develop his own personal and
unique definition of intimacy.
We know this for a fact: In their formative years, children learn their first lessons
from watching their parents interact with each other and seeing healthy expressions
of affection—or a lack thereof. The “formative factors” include dynamics of age,
trust, and warmth as they relate to a male’s personal experiences with females. These
factors influence the child as he develops and formulates his sexual identity and selfconcepts.
Enter the ever-present fear of intimacy—a barrier in a person’s psyche which
becomes a key element in forming the person’s inner identification. This fear will
(Continued—See “Intimacy” on page 14)
Q&A With Dr. Busby
Billy Redding sat down with Dr. Tricia Busby on February 9 th at the CSH Assessment
Center with some questions about assessments for long-term care residents. Dr.
Busby generously shared some great information that might be of interest to CSH
patients, including both new commitments and participants in the hospital’s Phase
SOCP treatment program. For more information, residents are encouraged to contact
members of their treatment team.
What is an assessment
Dr. Busby: “An assessment identifies an individual’s current level of psychological,
emotional, interpersonal, and/or cognitive abilities, and in the case of a Phase
Treatment Evaluation and Action Plan, an individual’s current sexual functioning and
targets for treatment in the Sex offender Commitment Program (SOCP) are also
identified. All assessments are conducted for treatment planning purposes.
“The Specialized Assessment Center conducts several types of assessments
depending on the clinical question being asked by an individual’s treatment team.
The types of assessments the Specialized Assessment Center conducts are:
Cognitive Screens, Cognitive and/or Academic Assessment, Neuropsychological
Evaluation, Diagnostic Clarifications, Focused Psychological Assessment (An
individualized assessment designed to answer a specific referral question that
cannot be answered in other assessment formats), and the Phase Treatment
Evaluation and Action Plan ( for SOCP participants only).”
How are new commitments assessed
Dr. Busby: “A cognitive screen is to be offered and completed (if written consent is
given by the individual) on all new commitments who meet certain diagnostic criteria
(diagnosis of substance abuse/dependence, diagnosis of a developmental
(Continued—See “Interview” on page 15)
Billy Redding’s Treatment Treatise
PROGRAM DESIGN COMMITTEE
PROPOSES CHANGES
While this is only part of what is being investigated, the following
issues are of concern for residents here at CSH. These
suggestions have been brought to the attention of Clinical
Administration:
1. Assessment testing needs to be done when a person first
comes to CSH to get an initial baseline and identify true and real
dynamic risk factors. And as the person progresses through
treatment, recognizing and identifying areas of change, as well
as those needing improvement, simply makes sense.
2. Contracted evaluations, which are forensic and used in
obtaining commitments, are without significant clinical value
because they are historical and based on behaviors from the
distant past. Without deviant behaviors it’s hard to swallow the
idea that we have current mental disorders. The remitting effect
of age is ignored, with respect to the supposed mental disorder
or the issue of dangerousness, two separate issues which are
often confused.
3. The WRP Manual requires completion of a 48-hour WRP and a
7-day WRP; sixty days after having arrived you should know who
we are, and what our major issues are. You should have a
program for us with specific release goals. The WRP Manual tells
you to perform differential diagnoses and perform the DSM
Checklist at every team meeting in a genuine attempt to falsify
the initial diagnosis.
4. Bring treatment processing closer to individualized
programming. Everyone has different elements and different
Dynamic Risk Factors, and everyone progresses at a different
pace. Treat & Release is what residents want and need. This is a
central issue. Mere window dressing on the program will not
serve the needs of the population, and Liberty Con-Rep is
completely unworkable as an intended re-entry program.
Dr. Jerry Kasdorf has commented: “Many of your concerns are
legitimate. Staffing, behavior-oriented assessments… the
nightmare stories of changing standards for different groups or
facilitators… These are things we are really trying to change.
There is a very good book by Marshall, Treating the Sex
Offender. In the appendix he has very objective ways of
evaluating people based on behaviors. We are looking to
integrate those methods into our staff.”
Do us all a huge favor:
Believe in yourself!
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