Full Disclosures
What is a Full Disclosure?
A Formal Therapeutic Disclosure (FTD) is a clinical procedure that is carefully guided by trained therapists in a clinical setting. It is a process committed to the rebuilding of trust in relationships damaged by compulsive sexual behavior. Although it can be difficult and painful, it allows for significant gains in recovery for each spouse and for the marriage. A full disclosure differs from a disclosure, which is often a limited confession without the structure or support to get a more complete history. A full therapeutic disclosure is a process where trained professionals meticulously work with partners to do a full sexual history, allowing the betrayed partner information that was often kept from them.
Why Would I Need a Full Disclosure?
A FTD provides a foundation to begin the process of repairing the damage done to the relationship and rebuilding trust. A FTD helps those who have acted outside of their values sexually to reclaim their long-lost integrity. In one study, 96 percent of those who struggle with compulsive sexual behavior felt FTD was the right course of treatment for them. They discovered that this process helped to dismantle a major dysfunctional core belief which Patrick Carnes explained as “no one would love me as I am (Carnes, 1983).” For those who struggle with compulsive sexual behavior, it is imperative to heal this belief. To be fully known and yet, still fully loved, goes a long way toward healing this core belief—a major goal of treatment. With the held sexual secrets, there is only a false front, only denial, and little chance for healing. After FTD (and no longer burdened with secrets), many of those struggling with compulsive sexual behavior report new-found freedom and peace.
Having a Formal Therapeutic Disclosure is also a question of ethics. As human beings, we are all entitled to certain rights. Among these is the right to relationship choice and freedom from exploitation in the relationship. Informed consent is a concept which entitles each person to all information which bears upon their well-being, including informed choice to continue in a relationship. This is a fundamental individual right.
How Are We Different from Other Disclosure Options?
Too often when a partner discovers there are secret behaviors in a relationship, they get what is called ‘drip disclosures.’ Drip disclosures refer to the gradual release of information, often over an extended period of time, after a betrayal or a traumatic event. These ‘drips’ of information can keep retraumatizing partners and prevent the full truth from coming forward. The full disclosure process allows a more thorough and gentle path towards getting needed information without repeated traumas.
Choose Recovery is committed to providing the highest level of transparency and accountability to our clients. We believe that full therapeutic disclosure is a critical component of building both relational and individual trust, and we lead this process through how we run disclosures. We are committed to providing full and complete information about the full process each of you will each be engaging in. From day one, as we facilitate the full disclosure process, you are accompanied along this journey to truth. Leading in transparency, we believe that full therapeutic disclosure allows our clients to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Every step along the way is broken down, and by the time we get to your disclosure day, you are ready to share or hear the truth.
Only our coaches and therapists have been thoroughly trained in full disclosures lead this process, and each is ready to help you take the next step forward.
With Choose, you have a team based on a commitment to transparency, accountability, and recovery, ready to help you guide you so you don’t have to do this alone.
Disclosures for Adult Children
We also offer disclosures for adult children of a person who sexually acted out and betrayed partners
What Does This Look Like:
- Adult children 18+ have the opportunity to ask questions to both the partner who sexually acts out and the betrayed partner questions. Couches/Therapist will help adult children formulate questions as well as help the partner who sexually acts out and betrayed partner to answer questions that will solely help the adult child’s healing.
How to Prepare for It:
- Individual session with adult child to formulate questions and process what they need in order to release said rolls and step into their own power and healing
When is it Needed and Available to Do:
- This can be done once the partner who sexually acts out is in recovery and a betrayed partner had done their work as well and is in recovery.
- If partners are separated this can be done at the request of the adult child to only facilitate with one of the partners at a time.
These can be done in person at the disclosure pricing or via zoom for the regular hourly rate of coach/therapist
Polygraph Appointment
A polygraph is a tool that measures physiological responses, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, in an attempt to determine if a person is telling the truth.
The common name of a polygraph, the ‘lie detector’ is a bit of a misnomer in itself; the polygraph isn’t looking for lies but it is rather detecting deception. When someone is being deceitful their body gives out signals, and it is these signals which the polygraph exam picks up on.
Some of the benefits of using a polygraph test can include:
Enhanced accuracy: Polygraph tests are sometimes used as a tool in criminal investigations or as part of pre-employment screenings in order to determine if a person is lying. In some cases, polygraph tests have been found to be more accurate than other methods of lie detection, such as questioning and observation.
Increased efficiency: Polygraph tests can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, making them a more efficient way of determining the truth in certain situations.
Reduced ambiguity: Polygraph tests can provide a more concrete and objective measure of truthfulness, which can reduce ambiguity in certain situations.
Is a Polygraph Accurate?
For a polygraph exam to be valid, The American Polygraph Association (APA) requires that the polygraph examiner must be properly trained and must use an accepted procedure and scoring system and the equipment must record, at a minimum, cardiovascular, respiratory, and electrodermal activity.
The following summarizes research data collected by the APA
Research
Field Examinations
Field Examinations (Independent Analyses)
Laboratory Simulations
Laboratory Simulations (Independent Analyses)
Quantity
12 studies
2,174 examinations
11 studies
1,609 examinations
41 studies
1,787 lab simulations
16 studies
810 lab simulations
Average Accuracy
98%
92%
80%
81%
source: The British Polygraph Society
http://polygraph.org.uk/
To Polygraph or Not to Polygraph?
While Choose Recovery recommends including a polygraph as part of the full disclosure process, the choice is left up to you. As part of your initial consultation, we will figure out your unique needs, go over risks/benefits, and help you determine what is right for you.
To learn more about Polygraphs, listen to our Podcast episode about it
Price
Disclosures with Choose Recovery are a smooth facilitated process that takes careful preparation, and counsel outside of your scheduled appointments over the course of several months. The cost of the appointment takes this into consideration as well as the time your coach or therapist will be away from their regular clients and their time for the disclosure session.
The disclosure package includes the polygraph appointment, disclosure appointment, follow-up appointment, and ammends letter appointment (typically held months after the appointment).
Clients’ personal travel and accommodations to the appointments are not included in this cost.
*If finances are a concern, please talk with your coach or therapist to discuss possible options.
Full Disclosure
You Meet Us in Salem, UtahWhat the Full Disclosure Covers
- Access to the Disclosure membership
- Worksheets and timeline to help you prepare
- Admin support during all stages of the disclosure process including scheduling, payment plans, organizing timelines of documents, and all other administrative support as needed
- The disclosure team working outside of sessions to reviewing documents, adding feedback, and preparing for your disclosure
- Travel for your disclosure team to your full therapeutic disclosure
- Polygraph appointment, working with polygraph examiner to prepare, and reviewal of results with polygraph examiner and with you as the client
- Day of disclosure appointment which includes:
- 3-4 hours with the therapist and disclosure team
- Disclosure team’s taking a full day each from regularly scheduled clients (longer for disclosure team members who will be traveling)
- If needed a next-day follow-up appointment for clarifying questions
- The Impact Letter Appointment
- The Amends Letter Appointment
What the Full Disclosure Does Not Cover
- Client’s personal travel
- Sessions leading up to the disclosure
- In the instance, the polygraph fails and the disclosure is rescheduled, the client is responsible for the cost of the polygraph appointment.
Start the Process
Partner 1
Coach/Therapist Travels to You
The Full Disclosure
Disclosure Steps for Partner 1
Schedule & Travel Arrangements
Impact Letter
Partner 2
Coach/Therapist Travels to You
The Full Disclosure
Disclosure Steps for Partner 2
Schedule & Travel Arrangements
Restitution Letter
