Forensic Mental Health Services and Court-Ordered Psychotherapy

Whitford-Thomas Group (WTG) provides a full array of services geared to the judiciary. The menu of programs and services offered is the most comprehensive of any in the Tampa Bay area.

Our Forensics Services are headed by Robert Whitford, Ed.S., LMHC. Whitford has been providing his skills and expertise in mental health counseling, treatment, and testing for over 31 years.

The Forensic Mental Health Services at WTG include sex offender programs, substance abuse programs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) psychotherapy, anger management programs, as well as specific psychotherapy services for juveniles and adolescents.

WTG’s menu of Court and Forensic Related Services includes:

--Penile Plethysmograph Testing (PPG)
--Adult Sex Offender Assessment and Psychotherapy
--Juvenile Sex Offender & Delinquent Counseling
--Anger Assessments & Reduction/Management Programs
--Substance Abuse Counseling, Group & Individual
--Court Ordered Mental Health Assessments
--Child Custody Evaluations
--Domestic Violence Evaluations & Psychotherapy
--Standardized risk assessments
--Competency exams
--Expert witness testimony

Standardized risk assessments provide an understanding of not only what a person did, but also why he/she did it, and the likelihood of them doing so again.

Comprehensive mental health, psychological and/or psychosexual evaluations are done to determine an offender’s level of functioning, level of risk, mental health diagnosis and the requirement and/or amenability to treatment.

Traditional and state-of-the-art assessment and treatment is available in the specialized area of sex offenders for both juveniles and adults.

The Whitford-Thomas Group is proud to be the only service provider of penile plethysmography (PPG) assessments in Central and SW Florida.

The PPG is an invaluable high-tech device utilizing the Behavior Technology Inc Monarch system, the most advanced penile plethysmography method available. The testing data assists clients, families, attorneys, and the courts achieve a complete understanding of a person’s deviant and/or non-deviant arousal patterns.

The PPG also assists the clinician to objectively observe, monitor, and measure an offender’s ability to utilize behavioral techniques learned in treatment to decrease and/or eliminate his deviant arousal.

A paneled expert is on staff to provide competency-to-proceed and mental state at time of offense evaluations in accordance with the rules of the courts.

Expert testimony is also available to speak to the court on the behavioral issues revealed through evaluations, testing and assessments.

WTG also provides comprehensive services to the judiciary in all areas of Anger Counseling. Thorough assessments are done to document:

-Degree of anger/aggressiveness issues

-Risk of relapse

-Propensity for violence

-Amenability to counseling and treatment

Psycho-educational groups have proven to be highly effective in anger reduction and management when a well-defined curriculum in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methodology is utilized.

WTG specifically practices in methods of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The origin of CBT, REBT provides a retraining process that is educational in form, but presented in such a fashion that is easily understood.

Anger-related services available to the judiciary include:
-Anger assessment & evaluations
-Group and individual therapy and counseling
-Ongoing monitoring for progress or relapse
-Anger management training to professionals
-Continuing Education for the professions

Complete reporting is available to probation officers, attorneys, and the court.

The Whitford-Thomas Group is also a provider of comprehensive services in all areas of chemical abuse and dependency.

These services are available as ordered by the court, as well as for individuals seeking change in their lives.

An integrative model is used because it reflects the most current research and achievements in the substance abuse treatment field. In fact, WTG’s program reflects the drug abuse treatment model adopted by the Bureau of Prisons.

Two tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are the centerpiece of WTG’s addiction counseling:

     1. Individuals are responsible for their own behavior.
     2. Individuals have the ability to change their behavior.

Personal responsibility is the core philosophy of all programs, based upon the assumption that the person has yet to develop the skill sets to change their behavior; and to cope with high-risk situations for substance abuse and the subsequent detrimental behaviors throughout their lives.

Encouraging individuals to make better decisions by accepting responsibility for their thoughts feelings and actions, these 4 primary facets anchor our substance abuse programs:

1. Building motivations to abstain from addictive behavior
2. Coping with urges
3. Learning rational ways to manage one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
4. Balancing short-term and long-term pleasures and satisfactions in life.

WTG offers Outpatient Treatment Programs to suit varying levels of abuse and dependent behaviors. An evaluation is completed first to assess level of treatment need.

Where Level II and Level III treatment is deemed appropriate, the assessor provides orientation and schedules a start date. Both levels are a combination of group and individual therapy.

Middle Level Outpatient services consist of three phases of a more moderately intensive program to address substance dependence problems.

In instances of court-ordered cases probation officers receive regular feedback as to client progress. Prompt notification is made of any missed attendance or failed drug screens.

The Substance Abuse & Treatment Program at WTG is expertly led by Dr. David L. Thomas, LMHC. Dr. Thomas has specialized in the assessment and treatment of addictive behaviors since 1983.

His extensive experience with the Whitford-Thomas Group includes contract work for various county school systems throughout Central Florida, the federal government, and the Florida Department of Corrections.

Call (813) 872-8022 or Contact Us for more information or to speak directly to Mr. Whitford or Dr. Thomas. We’ll be pleased to set an appointment to come to your office to further explain how we can be of service to you.