ABSTRACT
Assessment is the first step in developing an integrated treatment plan. The assessment process is ongoing throughout the course of treatment. Since children and their family members may experience considerable discomfort talking about sexual offenses, it is necessary to ask questions in an open, nonjudgmental manner, which sets the expectation that disclosures will be forthcoming. Initially, the child’s disclosures may be guarded and incomplete. It is therefore important to obtain permission to contact adjunct professionals (e.g., caseworkers, juvenile court workers, former therapists) for corroborative information early in the evaluative process.
