​TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY/CODE OF ETHICS

The Iowa Board for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers has adopted a Treatment Philosophy and Code of Ethics which treatment professionals should endorse, and to which all certified professionals must subscribe upon granting of their certification​

A. TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
A holistic approach to sex offender treatment includes providing safety and assistance for victims, prompt and effective response by law enforcement, appropriate adjudication, close monitoring by probation or parole, and treatment matching their individualized risk and needs.  

Evaluation of the cognitive, behavioral, biological, and sociocultural features of the individual offers assistance to the management and treatment of sexual offenders.  A systematic assessment to classify risk to the community and amenability to treatment will allow for more efficient use of available resources.  A variety of factors influence whether or not a person who committed a sexual offense will avoid committing another abusive act and evaluations should be comprehensive in nature.  No single form of assessment should be considered adequate.  Extensive training in evidence based practices and research in the area of sexual assault is mandatory for evaluators and service providers. Sexual offending is not a mental disorder.  Treatment includes training and education and, although it is not considered as a cure which will eliminate all future probability of offending, individuals do have the capacity to make internal changes which have an impact on their behavior.  

B. CODE OF ETHICS
Sex Offender Treatment Professionals (i.e., Professionals) strive to perform their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Professionals work within the scope of their education and training, and protect the public against unethical or incompetent practices. Professionals conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the highest level of public confidence, and commit themselves to following standards designed to promote the greatest level of public confidence.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
  • Professionals strive to protect the public, rehabilitate offenders, and serve as advocates for victims. 
  • Professionals shall provide services matching current evidence based practices. 
  • Professionals shall not let personal feelings about their client’s crimes and behavior impact professional judgment and objectivity. Professionals make proper referrals when there is a conflict of interest or when the Professional believes they cannot perform their duties in an objective manner. 
  • Professionals shall not discriminate based on their client’s age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, culture, or other personal belief or value. 
  • Professionals shall not exploit their power or authority over their clients or subordinates.
  • Clients shall be properly informed about the services they will receive. Professionals shall obtain adequate informed consent from clients prior to conducting Psychosexual Evaluations, Mental Health Assessments, or physiological assessments (e.g., polygraph, voice stress analysis, or viewing time measure), or starting individual or group treatment. 
  • Professionals are responsible for becoming fully aware of all State statutes and agency policies pertaining to the conduct of his or her professional practice, including limits to confidentiality. 
  • Respecting rights and laws pertaining to confidentiality, Professionals should be willing to communicate with supportive agencies (e.g., Child Protective Services, victim therapists, and parole and probation officers).  
  • Professionals shall inform their clients about the limits of confidentiality specific to their setting or environment (e.g., juvenile placement, prison, community based corrections). 

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS
  • Professionals understand that the therapeutic alliance or working relationship with the client is one of the most significant factors impacting client rehabilitation, and fostering an adversarial or confrontational relationship may likely do harm to the client and increase risk. Professionals shall treat clients with dignity and respect, and strive to enhance the therapeutic alliance with their clients. 
  • Dual relationships may impair judgment and pose a risk for client exploitation. Professionals strive to refrain from engaging in dual or multiple relationships when at all possible. Should a dual relationship occur Professionals should consult with a Professional peer about the relationship to discuss ways to eliminate, or significantly limit, harm to the client. 
  • Professionals should not engage in any sexual, romantic or intimate relationships with clients. 

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
  • Receiving similar professional services from 2 or more professionals may serve to confuse clients and potentially provide clients with conflicting information. Professionals are cautioned against entering into professional relationships with potential clients who are actively receiving services from another provider without consultation between all parties. Clients should be asked about any other service providers and obtain releases of information to communicate openly with any other service providers.
  • Many clients may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Providers should be willing to cooperate and collaborate with other professionals (e.g., probation officers or physicians) to enhance client treatment. 
  • Professionals should not accept payment of any kind for referrals. 

IBTSA

510 E. 12th. Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515-564-9625
ibtsainfo@gmail.com

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