– If children live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.
– If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
– If children live with fear, they
learn to be apprehensive.
– If children live with pity, they
learn to feel sorry for themselves.
– If children live with ridicule, they
learn to feel shy.
– If children live with jealousy,
they learn to feel envy.
– If children live with shame, they
learn to feel guilty.

….excerpted from “Children Learn
What They Live” by Dorothy Law
Nolte, Ph.D

 What does the future hold for children facing this reality?Over time, many find ways to cope with the abuse and reclaim their lives. But some retreat into a lifelong shell of distrust and estrangement. Others cope by transforming their anger into eating disorders, substance abuse or mental illness. And some sexually abused children turn their anger outward in the form of sexual aggression toward others – often, younger children. 

We help these children reclaim their lives. Many programs exist to treat eating disorders, substance abuse and other mental illness. However, children who exhibit sexually aggressive behavior are, by all standards, among the most challenging to treat, and few treatment programs exist.

At INTEGRIS Mental Health, we believe there is hope – and help – for these children. The INTEGRIS STAR program provides both acute and residential treatment for these children in an emotionally and physically secure environment. Our treatment team includes psychiatrists, nurses, therapists and other mental health professionals trained in treating children with sexually aggressive behavior, all with a shared commitment to helping these children reclaim
their lives. 

STAR Program Guidelines The STAR residential treatment program is designed for children ages five to 14 who have initiated inappropriate sexual behavior. To be eligible for the program, the child must meet the following conditions:

1. A DSM-IV Axis I primary diagnosis – with the exception of V-codes, Adjustment Disorders and Substance-Related Disorders – accompanied by a detailed description of the symptoms supporting the diagnosis.
2. A condition directly attributable to a mental disorder as the primary reason for professional attention.
3. Determination that the current disabling symptoms could not be managed, or have not been manageable, in a less intensive treatment program.
4. The child is medically stable (as determined by a physician).
5. The child is exhibiting a pattern of sexually aggressive behaviors with a younger child or a child in which they have power over. (Sexually aggressive behavior is that by which a person will coerce the victim through violence, threat of violence, bribery, or blackmail into committing a sexual act with them).
6. Requires secure 24-hour observation and treatment.

Exclusion criteria – INTEGRIS STAR program is not equipped to provide
residential services to children who have an IQ below 70 or those with a
physical or medical problem that significantly restricts their ability to receive
inpatient mental health treatment. 

Scope & Complexity of Services The STAR program’s specialized treatment
curriculum uses cognitive, responsibility focused, and play therapy techniques,
and provides a variety of services including:

• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment by a qualified psychiatrist
• Nursing care, including biophysical and medication education
• Assessment and therapy services including individual, group, and family therapy by a licensed therapist trained in treating children with sexually inappropriate behaviors
• Recreational assessment and therapy by a recreational therapist
• Social skills groups by trained mental health professionals
• Treatment planning
• Case management
• Close supervision and a structured environment
• On campus educational services provided by the Extended Education Services and Oklahoma City Public School teachers

Other specialized services provided for children in the STAR program include
addressing risk factors such as:

• Treatment for predisposing risk factors –including maltreatment experiences, lack of empathy, insufficient social skills, and low self-esteem.
• Treatment for precipitating risk factors – including problems with poor emotional regulation, thinking errors, low impulse control, and poor use of conflict resolution skills.
• Treatment for perpetrating risk factors – including issues regarding lack of supervision, lack of appropriate sexuality education, and taking full responsibility for the sexually inappropriate behavior.
• Treatment which includes the family - Whether the guardian is the family of origin, a foster or adoptive family, DHS/OJA, or a kinship, this program is designed to make family therapy an integral part of the treatment process.

When a child exhibits inappropriate sexual behavior in a foster home, he/she is often removed from the home and placed in a juvenile shelter or another foster come. A pattern then develops in which the child finds him/herself experiencing frequent moves from one placement to another. Unfortunately, these frequent moves often preclude consistent specialized outpatient treatment for the inappropriate sexual behavior and/or abuse issues.

Although there is an increased awareness that a significant number of children are exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviors, and that these behaviors are contributing to removal from the home and other behavioral difficulties, there are few specialized treatment programs to address this problematic behavior.  INTEGRIS STAR program is designed to fill that void.

www.INTEGRISmentalhealth.com
iMAT Mobile Assessment Team
Free, confidential initial assessments and
24-hour emergency assistance at
(405) 951.2273

INTEGRIS Mental Health/Spencer
2601 N. Spencer Road
Only 15 minutes from Oklahoma City
To learn more or for admission information, contact
our admissions coordinator at (405) 427-2441