Program Units and Treatment Components

Specialized Units:
Cove PREP operates four distinct and separate units within the program. The unit divisions are based on sub-types within the sexual offender population as described below:

1. A unit for Developmentally Disabled or Developmentally young juveniles- while the core programming content is the same. This sub group requires more repetition and a slower pace due to their cognitive processing limitations and requires more concrete presentation of materials.
2. A unit for juveniles with co-morbid psychiatric concerns (e.g. Bipolar Disorder, history of self-mutilation; significant Mood Disorders.
3. A unit for juveniles with more significant delinquency histories- these juveniles generally are older, have more aggressiveness associated with their sexual perpetration, and frequently have histories, which include other crimes against persons or property.
4. An Honors unit for residents who have demonstrated significant therapeutic and behavioral progress and are moving toward successful discharge.

For youth who may demonstrate a combination of concerns, unit placement will be made based on the Treatment Team’s assessment of where the youth can most effectively be served. Transfers to other units can occur throughout the course of treatment if appropriate.

Group and Individual Counseling:
All residents participate in Sexual Offender Group Therapy two (2) times per week and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group once per week, for approximately 1¼ – 1½ hours per group. Therapy utilizes psycho educational, Cognitive Behavioral and group dynamic approaches. Residents are taught to identify & correct cognitive distortions (Thinking Errors), which contribute to or maintain their sexual offending cycles. Residents are also taught: accurate definitions of “consent”; pre-offense and offense cycles; recognition of thoughts, feelings and situations which are “triggers” for their sexual offending; alternative coping, problem-solving and communication skills. Responsibility for the harm caused to their victim(s) is a continuing focus in group therapy. Residents are required to complete a sexual offending timeline and to disclose this to the group as part of their therapy. Groups also focus on behavior observed on the unit, which reflects patterns related to their sexual offending, including unhealthy attempts to gain power, manipulation, violations of interpersonal boundaries, sexual “targeting” of other residents, etc.

DBT Groups provide highly structured training on self-management skills in the areas of regulating emotions, effective interpersonal relations and tolerating stress and disappointment. The skills and techniques taught in DBT increase residents’ ability to manage feelings and behavior without resorting to behaviors that are destructive to self or others. Residents report these techniques have been particularly helpful in maintaining self-control and decreasing incidents of “acting out”. Sexual Offender and DBT Groups are conducted by the primary therapist for each unit. All therapists are Bachelor’s level and are supervised by a Master’s Level Clinical Services Manager.