Sex Offense-Specific Relational Therapy: Exploring Power, Connection, and Boundaries

Date of Award

Summer 8-23-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Lavita Nadkarni

Second Advisor

Shelly Smith-Acuña

Third Advisor

Michael Karson

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Relational therapy, Sex offense, Power, Connection, Boundaries

Abstract

In Colorado, sex offense-specific treatment often takes a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach that focuses on relapse prevention and managing risk of re-offense. However, sexual offenses are, arguably, relational transgressions. Here, I suggest that incorporating relational therapy into sex offense-specific treatment will enhance the work being done within the standards and guidelines of the Sex Offender Management Board, Colorado’s governing body for the treatment and evaluation of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Two case examples are provided to explore the use of power, connection, and boundaries within therapy and to highlight the positive outcomes experienced by both patients. Ultimately, it will be shown that relational therapy does not have to diverge from the prescribed goals of sex offense-specific treatment and can, in fact, bolster a patient’s success.

Copyright Date

7-8-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Madeleine E. Kelly

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

33 pgs

File Size

295 KB

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