Social Skills Therapy for Paraphilic Disorders

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

Disqualifiers: Psychoses, In custody, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 15

Duration: 12 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

A challenge to Canadian society is the establishment of effective evidence-based interventions to prevent non-consensual sex acts. The Sexual Behaviours Clinic (SBC), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is an innovative and effective program devoted to the management of adults with persistent problematic sexual interests and behaviours (paraphilias). The primary aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that the SBC's success is due in part to its focus on consent and the enhancement of lawful and fulfilling social relationships (social skills). The study participants will include 60 voluntary male participants who have undergone an intake assessment with the SBC and show signs of paraphilic interests in children (based on the standard SBC intake questionnaire) who will be randomized into a social skills group or a control group focused on adult interests. Participants will attend these groups weekly for 3-months (12-weeks). Outcome measures will include pre-and-post social skills, sexual consent, sexual fantasy, and sexual urges surveys, pre-and-post phallometric testing (to test for objective sexual arousal), qualitative interviews of the study participants, their friends, and family members, and records of recidivism (self-report). Groups will be inclusive of individuals from varying ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual orientations, and intellectual and developmental levels.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is social skills therapy for paraphilic disorders safe for humans?

Social skills therapy, often part of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is generally considered safe for humans and is used to improve communication and relationship skills. It is a non-invasive treatment that focuses on enhancing appropriate social interactions and reducing inappropriate behaviors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does social skills therapy for paraphilic disorders differ from other treatments?

Social skills therapy for paraphilic disorders is unique because it focuses on improving interpersonal and communication skills, which are often deficient in individuals with these disorders. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on controlling sexual urges or using medication, this therapy aims to build healthier relationships and coping mechanisms by addressing social skill deficits and enhancing self-esteem and intimacy. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

What data supports the effectiveness of social skills therapy for paraphilic disorders?

Social skills therapy, as part of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is considered effective for paraphilic disorders by helping individuals improve communication and relationship skills, which are often areas of difficulty. This approach is similar to treatments used for other conditions, focusing on enhancing appropriate social interactions and reducing problematic behaviors. ^{1 3 5 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dave Holmes, PhD

Principal Investigator

The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG)

Emily Tippins, MSc

Principal Investigator

The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG)

John Bradford, MD

Principal Investigator

The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG)

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult males who have been assessed for sexual interest in children and understand English. It aims to help those with paraphilic disorders by enhancing social skills to prevent non-consensual acts.

Inclusion Criteria

Been assessed for a question of sexual interest in children

Understand English

I was born male.

Exclusion Criteria

Cannot understand and/or read English

I am under 18 years old.

I do not have a penis.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomized into a social skills group or a control group and attend weekly sessions for 3 months

12 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social skills, sexual consent, and sexual interests post-treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Group psychotherapy

Trial Overview The study tests if improving social skills can reduce problematic sexual behaviors. Participants are divided into two groups: one attends a social skills group, the other focuses on adult interests, meeting weekly for 3 months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Social skills group psychotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Originally designed to meet the needs of patients with ASD or ASPD, this group is now popular with patients who want to work on issues involving their relationships with their probation or parole officers or in establishing health romantic relationships.

Group II: Adult interest group psychotherapy Active Control 1 Intervention

The adult interest group has dual aims to (1) stop illegal sex acts and (2) enhance noncriminal sexual interests. The group focuses on respect for informed, voluntary, revocable, consent by examining various cognitive distortions that group members may endorse.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

24

Recruited

2,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Behavior therapy has been effective in treating neurotic patients, and it is increasingly being tailored to individual needs, especially for those with paraphilias, which often require personalized treatment plans.

While initial results of behavior therapy for paraphilias appear positive, there is a critical need for more research to evaluate long-term therapy outcomes and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Behavior therapy in sex deviations--an orienting overview]. Kockott, G.[2019]

Citations

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral and psychopharmacological treatment of the paraphilic and hypersexual disorders. [2019]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Behavior therapy in sex deviations--an orienting overview]. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacologic treatment of paraphilias. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conceptual factors in the treatment of paraphilias: a preliminary report. [2015]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sexual fantasies in the treatment of paraphiliac disorders: a bimodal approach. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacological treatment of patients with paraphilic disorders and risk of sexual offending: An international perspective. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders with paraphilic disorders. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for youth paraphilic disorders: opportunities to reduce harm. [2019]