Our Approach

Our therapeutic services are based broadly on a learning model enhanced by our continuing research programme and the results of clinical practice. We are committed to extending the knowledge base in this field through continual and comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of our services.

Our team is a diverse but cohesive group drawn from a variety of different disciplines who work collaboratively both as co-therapy pairs and within the company as a whole. The combined expertise and distinct perspectives shared within the team generate a creative and dynamic working environment where experience and knowledge are reflected in a constantly evolving range of practice skills.

The context for G-map's approach is embedded in the The Good Lives model and philosophy, a strength-based approach that conceptualises sexually harmful behaviour as an individual's inappropriate means to meet their core personal and social needs. It promotes managing risk through acknowledging the individual's needs, goals and aspirations and working towards meeting these in safe and positive ways. As a specialist organisation working with adolescents who sexually harm, G-map has adapted the model for our client group and employs it as a framework for problem formulation and intervention planning.

The Good Lives model for adolescents who sexually harm was published in 2013. The book describes how we adapted the Good Lives model and details how it can be used as an essential framework to structure and guide work with adolescents who sexually harm.

We believe that it is important to link our practice to continual evaluation and up-to-date and relevant research. The continuing programme of research carried out by our own team is supplemented through partnerships with the University of Birmingham and other national and international bodies. We have a working partnership with the AIM project and some of our staff have been closely involved with the development of NOTA and continue to provide presenters for their annual conferences.

We are committed to providing young people with co-working practitioners. We believe that this approach enhances the treatment process when working with young people with complex needs. Two practitioners share responsibility for the therapeutic sessions enabling a more supportive and safe arena both for the young person and the practitioners. Interpersonal relationships can modelled such as when male and female practitioners are paired and appropriate behaviour and conflict resolution in session is more readily facilitated. A more objective basis for evaluation and reflection is built into the structure of the co-working partnership and treatment drift is reduced. The presence of a second practitioner facilitates greater scrutiny of developing problems and signs. Two practitioners may provide young people with a sense of permanence and continuity, and ensure that sessions continue when one is absent.

Our therapeutic programmes are designed to reflect flexibility, sensitivity, originality and creativity in the work. We aim to integrate the young person's therapeutic progress within their wider network. Therefore direct work often also involves family, carers and other professionals.We pay attention to the matching of the appropriate approach or combinations of approaches and creative consideration is given to the young persons personality, cultural background, ability and learning needs. G-map's practitioners have the knowledge and skills to integrate and apply components of relevant theories and approaches in thoughtful and practical ways.