Associate Professor Kerri Eagle1,2, Ms Kate Harle1
1Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia, 2University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Kate Harle is a Forensic Psychologist and Manager of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Clinic within Justice Health NSW, Community Forensic Mental Health Service. She has extensive experience in criminal justice and forensic mental health systems, providing assessment and evidence-based interventions to people presenting with complex mental health conditions, sexual and violent offending histories, and significant psychosocial disadvantage. She is an accredited trainer in a number of risk assessment tools for sexual offending and is committed to developing evidence-based interventions that support community safety while promoting individual recovery and integration.
Abstract:
Background:
The NSW Community Forensic Mental Health Service (CFMHS) has established a multidisciplinary Treatment and Rehabilitation Clinic (TRC) offering biopsychosocial interventions for patients with problem sexual behaviours and/or sexual offending. The clinic was established following a comprehensive review of the literature and consultation with similar clinics in different interstate and international jurisdictions. The clinic has now been accepting referrals for over 36 months and has been operating in a purpose-built facility since September 2024. It has received in excess of 270 referrals for assessment and treatment of patients with problem sexual behaviours and has an active case load in excess of 80 patients receiving biological and / or psychosocial interventions.
Objectives and Methods:
The presentation will focus on the TRC psychosocial model and range of evidence-based interventions offered, incorporating demographic data of the cohort of patients accessing those interventions and clinical outcomes. We will also present a complex case study highlighting evidence-based forensic practice and the multidisciplinary approach to treatment provided by CFMHS TRC.
Findings:
Results indicate the cohort accessing psychosocial interventions have a high level of complex clinical needs, including cognitive impairment, trauma history, personality vulnerabilities and other mental health conditions, which impact engagement, attrition and clinical outcomes. Multidisciplinary input, including from psychology, social work and occupational therapy, to address various responsivity needs, has the potential to improve engagement, reintegration, and recovery for patients with problem sexual behaviour.