The initial evaluation is an extensive, multidisciplinary assessment during which a resident may meet with a sexuality therapist, family therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist and chemical health professional to determine treatment needs and the youngster's ability to participate in a treatment program. Nexus treatment programs are based upon current research and well-accepted practice in the field of adolescent sexual offender treatment. The Nexus approach to treatment is grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory, which means that we provide an educational approach to intervene with thinking errors, and we work with the adolescent to help him or her replace dysfunctional or harmful behaviors with healthier, more socially acceptable ones. At the core of our treatment philosophy is the premise that all children must be treated with dignity and respect. In many cases, we are re-teaching children and adolescents that adults can be respectful of them and can model for them appropriate relationship skills.
Nexus believes that change is made through therapeutic relationships.
We also believe in the essential goodness and humanness of each child that exists beyond any diagnosis or theory of his or her problems. While core beliefs, values and theories undergird what we do, Nexus takes a practical and largely eclectic approach to working with adolescents, employing a variety of interventions depending upon the specific treatment needs of the individual. Nexus programs are composed of well defined areas of therapeutic focus including family therapy, sex education, sexuality therapy, chemical health and chemical dependency treatment, recreational therapy, psychological assessment, chaplaincy, psychiatric and medical services. For residents to maximize each program component and begin practicing newly learned skills, heavy emphasis is placed on making the treatment environment safe. Programming is facilitated by treatment teams composed of staff trained in a variety of disciplines.