[Ambulatory psychotherapy of sex offenses]

We present the theoretical basis and results of a comprehensive research project concerning the psychotherapeutic treatment of sexual offenders in an ambulant setting. The therapeutic sample (n = 86) consists of patients with the following symptoms: exhibitionism, child molestation and sexual aggressive acts towards women. Data concerning the sexual deviant symptomatology, the general and sexual socialization and the actual psycho-social situation are demonstrated. The sexually deviant symptoms is considered in regard to basic personality deficits and general life-coping strategies of the patients. Concerning the therapeutic procedure and process we emphasize the importance of a concept focussing the individual patient and the psychodynamic function of his deviant symptom. The results at the end of therapy and at follow-up (average 2 1/2 years) are presented. Finally we discuss a concept for the decentralized psychotherapeutic supply of these patients.