Q&A with Dr. Paul Fedoroff, Co-director Sexual Behaviors Clinic, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Canada.

When was the program started?
The Sexual Behaviours Clinic (SBC) at the Royal was established in 1983.
 
What kinds of treatments do you offer? 
The SBC offers state-of-the-art treatments, including:
a) a complete initial assessment available at any stage of the criminal justice system from pre-trial to post-incarceration. The SBC is increasingly evaluating and offering treatment to men and women with problematic sexual interests before they harm anyone.
b) psychotherapies: individual, group, couples, therapy for spouses/partners, family therapy and a variety of specialty clinics including anger management, sleep, substance abuse, occupational therapy.
c) pharmacotherapies: including anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, anti-androgens, and GNRH analogues.
 
What are the side effects?
Risks: harm to others, re-arrest, shame, isolation. Benefits: ability to live a healthy life that benefits others.
 
How much does the program cost?
Treatment is free to Canadian citizens, funded by the state. Treatment for other nationalities is available and negotiable.
 
What kinds of sex offenders do you take?
The SBC's recourses are open to anyone with a physician's referral. The SBC does not have a waiting list and urgent referrals are can be seen within 24 hours.
 
Do you ever refuse anyone?
Yes. The SBC only treats voluntary patients.
 
How many patients do you treat per year?
The SBC typically follows several hundred patients per year.
 
What is the gender breakdown: men versus women?
About 10 percent of SBC patients are women.
 
What are the results?
Of patients who enter the SBC out-patient program, there have been no known convictions for a hands-on sexual re-offence.
 
If the program is so successful, why isn’t it used more?
Good question. The SBC is highly successful. Probably because other programs tell their patients they are incurable. The SBC does not do that.

More on this story from The State We're In - Lowering high sex drives
 
For more information about the SBC and SBC research through the IMHR: The Royal
 
For information about effective treatments for men and women who want help now, email: