Data-Driven Therapy: The Research Behind Polygraphs in Adolescent Sex-Specific Therapy

*Disclaimer-* Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy, nor do we provide legal advice. Please always seek a mental health professional and lawyer for your situation.Raising a son who is struggling with inappropriate sexual behaviors is a tremendously difficult experience for any parent, and seeking treatment can feel overwhelming. Understandably, parents might have concerns about the clinical polygraphs used at Oxbow Academy. These polygraphs are implemented as a therapeutic tool, not a punitive measure, to help boys on their path toward healing. They aim to provide clarity and understanding in a safe and supportive environment, ultimately fostering trust and growth within families.Therapist and podcast host Tiffany Herlin, LCSW, sits down with Shawn Brooks, the Executive Director of Oxbow Academy, and Jared Rockwood, LCSW, a polygraph examiner at Oxbow Academy. Here are the main topics discussed in this episode of the podcast:Oxbow's Polygraph Journey: The podcast traces how polygraphs became integral to Oxbow's treatment, from initial hesitation to research-backed implementation.Ethical and Safe Practices: Oxbow prioritizes careful preparation and support for students undergoing polygraph testing to mitigate potential harm and foster a safe environment.Truth as the Foundation: The episode stresses the importance of honesty in the healing process, with the polygraph aiding in uncovering the truth and enabling deeper therapeutic work.Positive Treatment Impacts: Polygraph use is linked to faster treatment progress, academic improvement, and positive behavior changes.Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing the prevalence of trauma, the podcast highlights how polygraphs, used within a safe therapeutic framework, can facilitate trauma processing and healing.At Oxbow Academy, we strive to help teens and their families heal and re-establish trust between one another. This podcast episode helps explain how clinical polygraphs are used to help students tell the truth in a safe environment without judgment. Oxbow empowers boys to take responsibility, address underlying trauma, and work towards a brighter future alongside their families.