Truth & Healing: Using Therapeutic Polygraphs for Adolescent Therapy
It can be incredibly distressing when your son is struggling with problematic sexual behaviors. You may feel a range of emotions but know these feelings are normal. This podcast offers insight and support for parents. Experts discuss the role of polygraph tests in teen treatment, the differences between clinical and forensic polygraphs, addressing concerns about accuracy and harm, and the real-life impact of polygraphs. Polygraph tests are carefully integrated into the therapeutic process at Oxbow Academy to encourage honesty and help teens share their full story, enabling more effective treatment and healing.
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 personal situation.
It can be incredibly distressing and confusing when your son is struggling with problematic or compulsive sexual behaviors. You may feel a wide range of emotions - from fear and anger to helplessness and shame. Please know that these feelings are normal and you are not alone. This podcast episode offers insight and support for parents navigating this complex issue.
Podcast host and therapist Tiffany Herlin, LCSW, interviews Oxbow Academy Executive Director Shawn Brooks and Oxbow Academy polygraph examiner, Jared Rockwood, LCSW. In this episode, these experts discuss:
- The Role of Polygraph Tests in Teen Treatment: Experts discuss how polygraph tests can uncover factors contributing to anxiety, such as past trauma or undisclosed behaviors.
- Clinical vs. Forensic Polygraphs: An explanation of the differences, focusing on the therapeutic and supportive approach used in clinical settings.
- Addressing Concerns About Accuracy and Harm: A look at polygraph accuracy, potential risks, and the importance of proper preparation and compassion.
- Real-Life Impact of Polygraphs: Stories of how polygraphs have helped teens open up, resulting in more effective treatment and lasting healing.
At Oxbow Academy, polygraph tests are carefully integrated into the therapeutic process to encourage honesty and help teens feel safe enough to share their full story. By gaining a clear understanding of a teen’s sexual history, including any instances of victimization or harmful behaviors, therapists can address the root cause of the problem and develop a personalized treatment plan. This approach helps teen boys and their families heal and build a healthier future together.
Concerned about your teen's escalating sexual behaviors? Don't wait. Get the support you need now. Oxbow Academy can help. We offer personalized support for families facing these challenges. Call 855-676-4272 to learn how we can guide your family toward healing.
Introduction
Tiffany: Welcome back to our podcast! This is Season 4, and I’m Tiffany Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker. Today, I'm joined by Shawn Brooks from Oxbow Academy, a specialized residential program for teenage boys ages 10 to 17 who need focused care. We’re excited to have him back — he joined us in our very first season! Alongside Shawn, we also have Jared Rockwood, another licensed clinical social worker, who’s here from Intermountain Polygraph to discuss a key topic: the polygraph test and its use in treatment.
This is a hot topic for parents and professionals working with teenage boys facing sexual issues. Polygraphs often come up in conversations like these and can be a bit controversial, with opinions divided on whether they’re helpful. So today, we’ll have an open and honest discussion about this tool.
Just a quick note before we dive in: this podcast is not a substitute for therapy. Always consult a mental health professional for guidance on your specific situation.
Shawn, let’s start with you. Could you tell us a bit about your background and your role at Oxbow Academy?
Shawn: Sure. My career in adolescent residential treatment began in 1992, so I'm now in my 33rd year. For the last 23 years, I’ve specifically focused on helping adolescents with problematic sexual behaviors. I started this work back in 2001, and over time, I’ve seen how societal changes — like the rise of social media — have impacted both teens and families. Social media is now deeply embedded in almost every aspect of adolescents’ lives, which adds layers to their behaviors and interactions.
In this field, achieving positive outcomes is my top priority. After working on hundreds of cases, I’ve seen both successful and unsuccessful results. Those experiences make it clear how crucial it is to address these issues clinically, with a focus on objective, measurable outcomes. One problem in our field is that "success" in treatment can be subjective. Many therapists rely on their view of where a teen is at and the risk they pose, which can sometimes lead to missteps.
When we talk about treating problematic sexual behavior, it’s really about reducing risk and helping young people reach a place of safety and stability. While there are commonalities between the behaviors I saw in 2001 and those I see now, there are significant changes too. The age at which we’re seeing these behaviors is getting younger, and early social media exposure is bringing these issues to the surface sooner. By the time problems become obvious, they’re often deeply rooted and causing stress not only for families but for schools and communities as well.
This work requires a continual process of understanding the evolving nature of these behaviors, especially because of the rising risks associated with them. Knowing what drives these behaviors is essential, so we can choose the best approach for treatment.
Tiffany: Just to give a bit of background to our listeners — Shawn and I have known each other since 2010. Though we’re not in the same organization anymore, I’ve always admired how data-driven you are, Shawn. You’re constantly working to uncover the best practices for helping these young men, always searching for what makes a difference. I used to work as a therapist at Oxbow, and later in admissions, so I had the chance to see your dedication to families and the boys in your care firsthand.
Yesterday, we recorded a podcast on “The Anxious Generation,” based on Jonathan Haidt’s research. He’s collected data on how the internet, smartphones, and digital devices have impacted today’s youth. It’s fascinating — if you’re into data, this is worth checking out. The data reveals a rise in depression, anxiety, ER visits, and suicide ideation among young people, alongside a decline in social interactions and time spent with friends. Haidt calls this shift “the great rewiring.”
Shawn: It’s like a Trojan horse. Social media promises connection, but it doesn’t build meaningful relationships. Instead, we get a lot of shallow, fragmented interactions that lack the depth and stability of real connections. Social media gives the illusion of closeness by allowing people to talk to countless others — yet many don’t feel genuinely connected to anyone. It’s the ultimate social Trojan horse.
Tiffany: Yes, and it affects girls and boys differently. Girls tend to be more impacted by social media itself, while boys are influenced by gaming and pornography. We’ll revisit that later since it’s such an important topic. But for now, Jared, could you share a bit about your career journey and what led you to polygraph work?
Jared: Absolutely. Thanks for having me! My background is similar to Shawn’s. I started as a line staff member in residential care for troubled youth, which eventually led me to become a licensed clinical social worker. My main focus was working with kids with problematic sexual behaviors. After a couple of decades in therapy, I transitioned into polygraph work. I took over the role of polygraph examiner at a program where our previous examiner was retiring, and I’ve been doing it for the last eight years.
A lot of polygraph examiners come from federal agencies or law enforcement, like the FBI or Homeland Security, so it’s a unique path for a therapist. When I first encountered polygraph use in treatment, I was surprised — I thought of it as something you’d only see on TV, outdated and ineffective.
Tiffany: Yes, polygraphs do carry a stigma.
Jared: Exactly. When I began using polygraphs, I initially thought my rapport-building skills and experience with risk assessments were enough to get honest disclosures from kids. I was confident I could get them to open up. But after incorporating polygraphs, I was humbled — the insights and data it provided went far beyond what I could gather through conversation alone.
Polygraphs as a Therapeutic Tool
Jared: Often, achieving a deeper level of honesty is what kickstarts the healing process. When teens are weighed down by shame, they can get stuck, unable to move forward. Releasing secrets is a powerful way to break free from that shame. So, while people usually picture polygraphs as something from a TV show, like NCIS, they actually can be very therapeutic tools.
Tiffany: Right — people often imagine a polygraph scene in a dark basement with someone being interrogated!
Jared: Exactly, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Polygraphs can help kids heal, and the data we've collected at Oxbow supports this. The boys themselves find it helpful, which aligns with what I experienced for years as a therapist.
Tiffany: Spoiler alert! But that’s good because our listeners need to know what’s coming up. I think we both had similar thoughts initially. When I first started at Oxbow, I had a lot of those preconceived notions about polygraphs. They’re so tied to the court system, and the media gives them such a strong stigma.
In reality, as therapists, we can sometimes overestimate our ability to gauge a client's honesty. We might feel like we're building incredible rapport and getting disclosures others couldn't — but we aren’t always as objective as we think. We’re human, and we want our clients to succeed. Tools like polygraphs, research, and data keep us accountable, helping us
become better therapists.
Shawn: Yes, therapists are human, after all! Every person, therapist or not, brings their own biases to a situation. It’s not intentional or negative; it’s just a part of how we see the world. Data, though, is objective. It gives us a clear picture without our perspectives clouding it. When data is collected and analyzed, it brings objectivity to our work, which is invaluable.
I can’t tell you how many times in treatment team meetings I’ve watched a therapist give a verbal review of a case after 30 days. And honestly, it’s challenging to remember 30 days of information accurately.
Tiffany: Yeah, we can maybe hold onto five days’ worth, depending on our memory!
Shawn: Exactly, even if you have a good memory. We’re all juggling so much, and data fills in those gaps.
My memory retention is about 30 minutes, honestly! So, I’m listening to a therapist’s report, and it often sounds like they’re just covering the last three days. Those recent days, whether good or bad, can end up influencing the entire 30-day review. Without an objective way to measure progress, we end up with a very skewed picture.
So, I came up with a basic system to track a student’s progress in behavioral, emotional, and social areas. Once I set it up, I brought it to the treatment team. The therapist didn’t know what I was about to do. They gave their verbal review, and then I said, “Okay, now let’s look at what the data says.” The reaction was priceless: “Oh…”
Tiffany: Yeah, that “Oh” says a lot!
Shawn: Exactly. The therapist had given a review based on just a few recent days, projecting that over the whole 30-day period. But looking at the data, we got a different perspective: “Okay, he’s had a rough couple of weeks because we’re working on challenging issues in treatment. But before that, he was doing pretty well.”
Tiffany: Data does give perspective.
Shawn: It does, and as providers, we need to get as close to the truth as possible. In my opinion, that’s just not achievable without data.
Jared: Can I add something here?
Tiffany: Of course!
Jared: Research shows that people, including highly trained professionals, aren’t great at detecting deception. Across the board, we’re only about 54 percent accurate — barely better than flipping a coin. This includes therapists, polygraph examiners without their equipment, police officers, and even judges. We all fall into that same range.
As therapists, we’re often inclined to believe our clients, and for the most part, people are honest. But there are times when we miss things. By adding tools like polygraphs, we’re raising the level of truth in the process. Otherwise, there will always be things we overlook.
Tiffany: And without that truth, real healing can’t happen. Shame thrives in secrecy, doesn’t it?
Understanding Clinical vs. Forensic Polygraphs
Tiffany: When clients come to us, whether they’re dealing with sexual issues or other struggles, real healing can’t begin until they’re truthful with themselves and with others. Having tools and data to support this process is incredibly helpful. It allows for deeper healing, more effective therapy, and real progress. So let’s talk about the tool you’re using—a clinical polygraph. How is that different from the traditional forensic polygraphs people usually associate with criminal investigations?
Shawn: From a residential treatment standpoint, especially given my career focus on problematic sexual behaviors, I’ve seen polygraphs as a divisive topic. At conferences, whenever polygraphs come up, the room splits in half—some are for it, some against it. You’ll hear arguments from both sides, often quite passionate. Some argue that polygraphs should never be used because there isn’t enough research, especially with adolescents, so they assume it could be harmful.
On the other hand, supporters argue that polygraphs are crucial for getting to the truth, which plays a big role in healing. Ultimately, both sides have valid points. The key difference lies in how a clinical polygraph is administered, especially with adolescents. Over the past 23 years, we’ve developed effective guidelines for preparing teens for this experience. Without proper preparation, the polygraph can be unhelpful or even harmful, and you won’t get to the truth. Adolescents who feel unprepared may even intentionally try to fail it.
Unlike a legal polygraph, where you go in the cold without preparation, our approach to clinical polygraphs is very different. If someone’s applying to be an FBI agent, they’ll go in without any prep—no one tells them, “Here are the questions we’ll ask,” or lets them practice beforehand. But in our setting, we take six to eight weeks to prepare students. Our focus is on helping them feel comfortable and safe enough to accept and share their truth.
We don’t want to trick them or catch them in a lie. Instead, we work to make them feel safe enough to reveal their truth. Jared, as a clinician, also plays a big role in this preparation. When a student finally says, “I’m ready,” and their therapist agrees, Jared doesn’t just jump right in. He sits with them, goes over the disclosure, explains how the polygraph works, and reassures them.
What’s interesting is that, after weeks of preparation, many students sit with Jared and end up disclosing even more than before. They feel safe enough to add to their disclosure. Initially, they imagine the polygraph experience will be intimidating, but when they realize it’s different—compassionate and respectful—their guard often comes down.
Tiffany: They feel safe, so they’re able to be vulnerable.
Shawn: Exactly. Jared isn’t there to intimidate them or be harsh.
Tiffany: He’s not yelling or accusing—just providing a safe space.
Shawn: Jared has a way of making the students feel supported, which can help them open up, even if it’s just a little. Sometimes, that small additional detail is the key piece of the puzzle that we’ve been working to uncover for weeks. With that information, the person doing the psychosexual evaluation can assess risk accurately. Without it, the assessment might be off-target.
The real difference here is in the preparation and the purpose behind a clinical polygraph. It’s not about catching them in a lie; it’s about helping them be truthful with themselves and others.
Tiffany: Exactly. You approach it uniquely. When I was trained at Oxbow, it was all about collaborating with the student rather than acting as the authority. Instead of saying, “You have to tell me the truth,” it’s more like, “Let’s work together to prove you’re telling the truth.” I’d tell them, “Your parents may not believe you because of past lies, but we can prove to them that you’re finally being honest. We’re a team in this, and Jared’s part of that team too. Let’s build trust with your parents so you can move forward.” I love that aspect.
Jared, what are your thoughts?
Jared: Even when a polygraph test doesn’t go well, that approach is essential. The goal isn’t to make them feel bad; it’s to help them. If healing is the focus, then we’re on their side, working together. I’ll often say, “You didn’t pass the polygraph—that’s tough. This is a hard conversation to have with your parents. But there’s something we still need to talk about. Let’s address it so we can move forward. You’re going to be okay.”
I also remind them that memory isn’t perfect. Memories can resurface over time, and if they recall something new, that’s not lying—it’s just part of remembering. This distinction helps frame our conversations and permits them to share without fear. I’ve worked with other programs where students were punished for any new information disclosed, even if it was during a polygraph. That’s the opposite of what we want. Our goal is honesty, so we should reward disclosure, no matter what the information is.
Tiffany: I love that. This therapeutic approach creates a space for empathy, vulnerability, and openness. It’s so different from the standard forensic polygraph, where someone might be tested for the FBI or as part of a criminal case. This is a completely different, supportive approach.
Shawn: Exactly.
The Dual Nature of Polygraph Outcomes
Tiffany: There are two sides to this. On one hand, a polygraph can be challenging for our clients; it can hurt them. But on the other hand, it can also be incredibly healing. The difference comes down to how it’s used—how we prepare the client and whether we create an environment of openness, healing, and vulnerability. It’s not a simple decision of “to use a polygraph or not.” It’s about our approach. The true value of the polygraph lies in the preparation, in helping our clients reach a place where they’re ready to be fully honest with themselves and others.
Shawn: Right. And that’s also why we conducted research into this, which we’ll go over in another episode. The driving question behind the research was: Does it harm? We wanted to understand this from the students’ perspectives, not just ours as professionals. From my viewpoint, if the process harms the client, it’s not worth it. I’m here to help, not hurt, so this was an essential question for us to answer objectively.
We designed a survey to collect students’ feedback on their experiences, letting the data speak for itself. And to give a sneak peek—the results were very positive. Most students felt that the experience was liberating. The truth can be freeing, even if it’s scary or difficult to face.
Secrets—especially significant ones, like those involving past sexual behavior—tend to morph and change. As Jared mentioned, memories can shift around these secrets as students try to cope. Sometimes, they fragment parts of the memory to make it emotionally manageable, though that often doesn’t work fully. And holding onto these secrets can manifest in many ways—through anxiety, anger, and other emotional struggles. That’s why getting to the truth can be such a challenging but vital part of the clinical process.
Tiffany: Exactly, and that’s why we’re here—to help. If this process was easy, our clients wouldn’t need us; they’d be able to handle it on their own.
Shawn: Absolutely. We’re here because treatment is supposed to be challenging. But to ensure we’re genuinely helping, we need to make informed decisions based on real data, not just assumptions. By asking the right questions and gathering comprehensive data, we can better understand what works and why.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Polygraph Use
Shawn: Is this helpful, or is it harmful?
Tiffany: Yeah.
Shawn: I made the initial call on whether or not we’d use polygraphs. I decided we would, believing at the time that the benefits outweighed the risks. Now, 23 years later, with all the data we’ve collected, it’s clear that it was a good choice. Even though it was initially based on an assumption, we now know that polygraphs can be very beneficial for our students—when done the right way. However, if not done properly, the concerns of those who oppose it are valid.
Tiffany: Exactly, it can cause harm. And I respect that you took the risk to gather data that could have proven you wrong. It takes vulnerability to question whether we’re following best practices, especially after so many years. That’s a question we should always be asking ourselves in this field.
Shawn: That’s right. I was fully prepared to stop using polygraphs if the data showed they weren’t beneficial or healthy for our students.
Tiffany: That’s great to hear.
Jared: It’s the right approach. Decisions should be based on data, not just assumptions.
Tiffany: We have to set our egos aside.
Jared: Exactly. Research can challenge assumptions, and sometimes, we find out we’re wrong. This project, in particular, is unique. There are a few studies on using polygraphs with adolescents, and they mostly focus on what’s called “information gain”—basically, whether polygraphs lead to more useful disclosures that help assess risk and guide treatment.
Across the board, studies show that polygraphs with boys who’ve committed sexual offenses provide more information. Changing the focus of the polygraph can bring out relevant details that are crucial for treatment. So if having more information is critical for effective treatment, then polygraphs can be a valuable tool.
The follow-up question, of course, is whether they cause harm. If we can show that they don’t, it strengthens the case for their use. So, while polygraphs are already shown to be effective, ensuring they’re safe is the next step—one that was addressed in our recent survey.
Tiffany: I appreciate that you're mentioning other research, especially since this is such a controversial topic. Some people are strongly for or against polygraphs, so we want to make sure we're following best practices. That means gathering as much research and data as possible, ensuring it’s not causing harm while also seeing if it provides us with valuable information.
I remember an early experience I had as a new clinician. I was working with a client who failed the polygraph twice. I was still in training under our clinical director, and I thought the client was being truthful. He kept insisting that the polygraph was wrong, and he’d told me everything. I went to my supervisor, saying, "I think he’s telling the truth."
My supervisor asked, "Do his body language, words, and actions all align?" I realized they didn’t—something felt off. He told me, "There’s more." Without the polygraph, I would have likely believed the client and moved forward, thinking he was being honest.
It turned out he was deeply fearful and had convinced himself he was telling the truth, caught in a web of lies so tightly that he nearly believed them himself. The information he was holding back was important, even though it was difficult for him to share. He had pending charges, and the fear of bringing this new information forward was intense. Fortunately, he eventually came clean, passed the polygraph, and years later, he’s doing well. Without that moment, his healing might not have been possible.
Jared: That’s a great example. From a legal standpoint, one of the positive aspects of the youth justice system is that it’s designed to help kids. Disclosures don’t carry the same risks they might in the adult system, so it’s often a safer space for sharing. Sometimes, though, things that should have been addressed when they were younger don’t come out until they’re adults. In those cases, if something comes to light that happened when they were children, they can face charges as adults for things that weren’t resolved in their youth.
Had these issues been disclosed and dealt with earlier, it could have protected them legally. Ignoring potential disclosures can create a ripple effect that becomes problematic down the line. In that way, polygraphs can sometimes even offer legal protection.
As a therapist, I’ve had to make disclosures based on information from polygraphs. When clients are honest in therapy, the system tends to prioritize helping them over punishing them. That’s really what it’s about—supporting their journey to healing without aiming for prosecution.
Navigating Disclosure and Reporting
Jared: The system isn’t perfect, and while it's rare, risks do exist.
Tiffany: Yes, there's always a small risk.
Jared: Exactly, but on the positive side, this process can also identify victims who might not otherwise be known, allowing them to receive help. That’s one of the rewarding aspects of this work—we’re not only helping one person but potentially preventing future harm.
Tiffany: Absolutely. The healing extends beyond just the boys we work with. It reaches their families, potential victims, and even future generations. The ripple effect is huge. I’m glad you brought up that point because if these boys don’t disclose everything now, it could come back later and impact their future in serious ways, especially depending on the state laws.
Take the example of the boy I mentioned earlier. He came from a state where minors can face harsh legal consequences, and we didn’t know what the authorities might do. But because he was honest in sharing his full story, we were able to advocate for him. Instead of facing something like placement on the sex offender registry—which would have been clinically inappropriate at his young age—he got the chance to heal, move forward, and build a better future.
Shawn: There are a couple of methods we follow, not necessarily as concerns, but as guidelines. First, it’s important to remember that it’s not the therapist’s or program’s role to demand identifying information in a disclosure. That’s ultimately up to the family.
Tiffany: Exactly.
Shawn: So how do we handle that? Our approach is to remain neutral and let the family decide. This is significant because there are pros and cons. If families choose not to include specific identifying details in the disclosure, it can allow the student to disclose their actions without revealing a specific person involved, which keeps the therapist's mandatory reporting obligations more straightforward.
However, if identifying information does come up, we are legally required to report it. On the downside, if we know there’s a victim without having specifics, we may not be able to address it as clearly. Sometimes families already know the details, so they take on the responsibility, allowing us to focus on the therapeutic aspects without necessarily involving reporting.
Jared: Could you explain what you mean by "clarification"?
Tiffany: Yes, thank you!
Shawn: Clarification is about going deeper after the initial disclosure. Once the truth is shared, accountability follows. The student is asked to clarify exactly what happened, including motivations, why they chose certain behaviors, and how they manipulated others. This step is essential for understanding the choices made and working on the path to healing.
Tiffany: So, with a specific victim, right?
Shawn: Exactly. When it comes to healing, accountability is essential. Our research shows that this is "phase two" work, and it’s even more effective than just uncovering the truth. The real healing starts when you take steps to fix things. Even if the truth is out there—like with a polygraph test—it doesn’t mean you walk away healed. There's more work to be done.
This part of the process, called clarification, is about rebuilding and clarifying that relationship, really working through what happened.
Tiffany: Right. But only if it’s clinically appropriate. Sometimes, that’s not the case.
Shawn: Exactly. There are guidelines we have to follow.
Tiffany: It’s complicated.
Shawn: Very. And it’s difficult unless everyone knows who’s involved. But we’re careful not to dictate to a family what they should do. Instead, we lay out the pros and cons of each option.
For instance, disclosing identifying information means it gets reported, and then the decision on what to do with that information is in the hands of the state or child services. We’re not here to investigate; our focus is on treatment.
Recently, another program faced serious trouble because they failed to follow mandatory reporting laws when a student reported abuse. That therapist took on the role of an investigator, saying, “I don’t think you’re telling the truth.” But that’s not our job; we’re not investigators.
Tiffany: Right. And we’re not lawyers, either. We don’t have expertise in the legal system.
Shawn: Sometimes, when a therapist tries to handle information themselves instead of following protocol, it becomes an issue. The reality is simple: they need to report it, and then it’s up to someone else to take it from there. But this is where parents often feel uneasy. They wonder, “Who exactly will be handling this information?”
In my 23 years, I've rarely seen the state step in to take custody of information like this. I remember one case where the state intervened, but only because the student wasn’t making progress in treatment. The state monitored to see if he was benefiting from treatment and lowering his risk. When it was clear he wasn’t, they stepped in and removed him. That was one instance out of hundreds.
Typically, reporting agencies will review the information and decide based on their guidelines. In some states, for example, if the student wasn’t in a caregiving role—like babysitting—they might not take action at all. Our job is just to report because we’re required to, even if each state handles things differently. The point is, once it’s reported, the matter is on record, and any future risk to the student is low. We’ve made everyone aware, and it’s being addressed.
But for parents, that uncertainty—of not knowing what might happen—often drives difficult decisions. I’ve seen parents grapple with tough choices when reporting involved family members. It’s incredibly hard, but keeping secrets doesn’t make the problem go away. Family members still interact, and there’s always a reminder of the past, even if it’s unspoken.
In my experience, even though I’m not a clinician, it’s best to be upfront. The truth can be powerful. It not only supports healing but also helps prevent those behaviors from recurring. When issues are brought into the open and worked through, it’s much more likely that problematic behaviors will stop. But if the secrets remain, there’s a higher chance the behavior could reappear.
Tiffany: I appreciate that you give families a choice in how they want to proceed. I’ve heard unfortunate stories about therapists who report without informing families first, leaving them blindsided. It’s traumatic when someone unexpectedly shows up on a family’s doorstep because they had no warning.
I love the transparency and honesty in your approach. You prepare everyone involved: “This is what’s been disclosed, this is what we’re obligated to report, and this is how it will go.” Families can consult a lawyer or take other steps if they need to. You give them the knowledge and time to process, allowing them to take control of the situation. This transparency promotes healing, giving families clarity and ownership over what comes next.
Shawn: Let's call this student "Charlie" - that's not his real name, but it will help provide context. Charlie came to us because he was exhibiting very concerning and high-risk sexual behaviors. He was making himself available online to older men, even though he was a minor. His parents discovered this and realized there were deeper issues at play with Charlie's identity and self-worth.
In treatment, Charlie was resistant to opening up to his therapist at first. But eventually, he decided to take the risk and reveal a heavy truth - when he was 10 years old, he had been sexually abused by an uncle. This was a secret he had kept hidden his whole life.
As the therapist, imagine receiving that kind of disclosure. If we hadn't uncovered this core trauma, we may have just tried to address the surface-level behaviors without getting to the root of the problem. But once this truth came out, the therapeutic approach had to shift dramatically.
This revelation explains so much about Charlie's destructive behaviors and diminished self-worth. With this information, the therapist was able to provide trauma-focused treatment to help Charlie heal from the abuse he had suffered years ago.
Once this core issue was addressed, Charlie made remarkable progress. He was able to rebuild his self-value, which in turn helped him start valuing the people around him as well. Without uncovering that initial trauma, the treatment likely would have been much less effective or could have even inadvertently made things worse by blaming Charlie for his risky behaviors.
The use of a clinical polygraph was key in getting Charlie to finally open up about the abuse he had been hiding. He may never have disclosed this information otherwise.
The Role of Polygraphs in Therapy
Shawn: When I asked him if he would have ever shared this without the polygraph, he said, "Absolutely not. I was going to take that to the grave." The sad reality is that, without this disclosure, his life could have taken a very dark turn. I’ve seen this pattern play out over and over.
Some therapists might feel that they’re skilled enough to build rapport and encourage students to reveal these deep secrets. But honestly, that’s rarely the case. Even the most gifted therapists I know admit that some students will still hold onto certain things, no matter what. So, when we miss these truths, I feel like we’re doing more harm. Without knowing if a student has been victimized, our treatment approach can be way off.
It’s like going to a doctor with shoulder pain and having them examine your knee instead. If we don’t have the right information, we can’t provide the right treatment, and we might end up thinking we’re helping when, in fact, we’re not.
Tiffany: Yeah.
Shawn: Right? Imagine if you go to a doctor and say, "My shoulder hurts," but the doctor only looks at your knee. Sure, maybe your knee will end up being healthier, even if it didn’t have a problem to begin with, but the real issue—your shoulder—remains ignored.
Jared: That’s exactly why I came to believe in using polygraphs. Working with clients, I realized that this tool often brings out more than I could ever get from just building rapport. It’s been so transformative for me that I see myself as part of the treatment team, not just someone running a polygraph. I’m here to help people improve their lives.
Shawn: Absolutely.
Tiffany: I agree. Between the three of us, we could share so many examples where we either wouldn’t have been able to fully help a student or may have even done more harm if we hadn’t uncovered the full truth.
Tiffany: Jared, could you explain the polygraph process to our listeners? I think it can feel intimidating, especially for teenagers, and it’s often misunderstood.
Jared: Sure. Let me first address the common misconceptions. If you watch polygraph scenes in movies or on YouTube, especially the popular celebrity ones, it seems like they ask endless questions and read into every little response. They’ll say things like, "Are you sure about that?" and the person looks guilty and confesses more. The reality is that a real polygraph session is far less dramatic—probably why they don’t make popular YouTube videos out of it.
Tiffany: I know! When I watched my first polygraph session, it was completely different from what I expected.
Jared: Same here. Even though I’d heard a lot from teens about the process, actually seeing one for the first time was surprising. It was much more straightforward than I thought.
So, here’s how it works: A polygraph is a long process, typically taking two to three hours. The first part is just an interview. There’s no machine involved at this point—it’s a clinical conversation, almost like an assessment you might do early in treatment. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, including their sexual history.
Polygraphs generally fall into two categories: history and maintenance exams. In a history polygraph, we go over their sexual history in detail. This includes any physical contact they’ve had, whether it was mutual, if they were a victim, or if they victimized someone else.
Tiffany: Can the polygraph questions cover topics beyond sexual history?
Jared: Absolutely. While sexual history is the most common focus, especially for history polygraphs, maintenance tests can cover other behaviors, like whether someone is engaging in drug use, theft, or other issues causing disruptions. In those cases, the polygraph is entirely unrelated to sexual conduct; instead, it’s focused on identifying problem behaviors in the unit. Good question—so no, it doesn’t always have to be about sexual history.
For a sexual history polygraph, we start with a detailed conversation. We discuss things like past relationships, any experience with pornography, sexting, and similar topics. At this stage, they’re not hooked up to any equipment. Once we’ve finished that initial interview, I tell them, "Okay, this is the end of the interview. Now we’ll prepare the polygraph questions." I then go over each question with them before they take the polygraph. It’s the exact opposite of a surprise test.
Tiffany: So they know exactly what’s going to be on the test.
Jared: Yes, they know each question in advance. I even ask for their feedback and adjust the questions if something isn’t clear or if they need clarification.
Tiffany: So you’re not trying to trick them.
Jared: Exactly. There are no tricks; it’s all completely transparent.
Tiffany: For our listeners, to clarify—this happens after several weeks of working with a therapist. It’s not like they arrive at a program and take a polygraph two days later. They’ve spent a month or more making progress and preparing for this.
Jared: Right, and that distinction is what we refer to as a “therapeutic polygraph” versus a regular polygraph. If someone just comes in and takes a polygraph on day two, that’s just a polygraph. But if it’s part of an ongoing, integrated treatment plan, it’s a therapeutic polygraph. That’s not an official term—just something Shawn and I use to describe the process.
Once we wrap up the interview and finalize the questions, we proceed with hooking them up to the equipment. I’ll explain more about that next.
Accuracy and Limitations of Polygraph Testing
Jared: Once we hook them up to the instruments, we start the polygraph test, which involves different types of questions. There are some baseline “true” questions, some questions I ask them to lie about, and then the main questions that focus on their history or behavior. We analyze the responses by comparing them across these types over time, with each question repeated multiple times. Between each question, there are long silent pauses, and the person being tested sits as still as possible.
When done correctly, a polygraph is much more accurate than human judgment alone. At the beginning, we talked about how human judgment is about 54% accurate—just slightly better than a coin toss. But polygraph tests, particularly for screenings like sexual history or maintenance exams, reach about 85% accuracy. That’s a big improvement, though it’s still not perfect. There are two possible types of errors: false positives, where someone tells the truth but the polygraph flags it as deceptive, and false negatives, where someone lies but the polygraph doesn’t catch it. Both make up the remaining 15% where it’s possible, though not likely, for errors to happen.
Sometimes people worry that polygraphs are traumatizing, particularly for vulnerable youth. But in my experience as a therapist, I’ve rarely seen polygraphs cause trauma in a clinical sense. Some kids don’t enjoy talking about certain topics or might feel uncomfortable, but that’s different from experiencing trauma. I’ve never had to conduct trauma therapy because of a polygraph. I think the idea that polygraphs are inherently harmful is mostly theoretical.
To give a bit of technical detail, the polygraph setup involves five different measurements. We place two small metal plates on their fingertips to measure electrical activity from sweat, called electrodermal activity (EDA). We also use a plethysmograph, which checks blood flow in the veins, similar to an O2 sensor at a doctor’s office. There’s a cardio cuff for heart rate and two tubes around the chest and belly to track breathing. Lastly, the chair itself can detect movements, not to measure deception but to filter out any distortions in the data.
When followed as researched, polygraphs are highly reliable and can give us much more confidence in the accuracy of the results than we’d get from judgment alone.
Tiffany: Here’s a question: can someone fail a polygraph if they’re nervous or anxious?
Jared: That’s a great question, and I think it’s one of the biggest concerns people have when they take a polygraph. So, the simple answer is no—you won’t fail the test just because you’re nervous. Nervousness looks different than deception. We do a preliminary test before the polygraph begins to get a baseline for a person’s physiology, which helps us see what changes happen during the test. Nervousness is both expected and completely normal, so it won’t cause someone to fail.
Could it possibly influence those rare times when a test isn’t accurate? Maybe, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly. These tests are designed for tough questions like, “Did you commit a crime?” or “Did you rob that bank?” They work well under those conditions, so it’s okay to feel nervous. You don’t have to try to hide it; it’s normal.
Tiffany: Right, because I know a lot of people worry about sweating or feeling anxious and then failing because of that, even if they’re telling the truth.
Jared: Exactly. It’s not the nervousness that we’re measuring; it’s the physiological response when someone is lying. That’s the key.
Tiffany: So, what about people who are skilled at deception? Some parents ask me, “What if my son knows how to lie well? Or what if they’ve looked up ways to trick a polygraph—like the classic tack-in-the-shoe method?” We call these attempts “countermeasures.”
Jared: Great question. Yes, cheating is possible. In fact, in polygraph school, we spent a whole week practicing ways to cheat on tests. By the end, I could cheat well—in a setting where it didn’t matter. Now that I know exactly how polygraphs work, I could theoretically cheat if I tried. But if I committed a serious crime and was hooked up to a polygraph, I probably wouldn’t risk trying to cheat. Research shows that countermeasures usually don’t help people pass a polygraph.
There was a fascinating study on this. Researchers randomly assigned people to commit a “crime” or not, then split them into three groups. The first group was told to simply try to cheat on the test however they wanted. The second group was given a book on how polygraphs work and ways to cheat, and they studied it for a week. The third group was shown the biofeedback during a test and learned how questions work. They could see their physiological responses in real time.
The results? Innocent people who tried random tactics sometimes ended up with an “inconclusive” result. Guilty people who tried to cheat generally still failed. Even the group with the book didn’t get much better results. The only group that saw any improvement was the one that watched their physiology on the biofeedback; a few of them were able to change a fail to “inconclusive.”
Tiffany: Oh, wow.
Jared: Exactly. So, while it’s technically possible to try to cheat on a polygraph, most of the methods people try just aren’t effective—and they’re usually pretty obvious. For example, if someone tries to press a tack in their shoe, we have foot movement sensors that would show a big spike every time they press down.
A lot of advice online about “how to beat a polygraph” actually ends up backfiring. It’s not uncommon for people who try these countermeasures to end up lowering their scores. So, even if someone tries to cheat, it usually doesn’t help them.
There’s also a misconception that polygraphs don’t work on certain types of people, like psychopaths who might not feel guilt or empathy the way others do. But studies show that’s not the case. For example, researcher Robert Hare, who developed the Psychopathy Checklist, teamed up with Dr. David Raskin from the University of Utah to test polygraphs on adults diagnosed as psychopaths in the prison system. The assumption going into the research was that the polygraph wouldn’t work on them. Surprisingly, the polygraph worked just as well as it does for the general population—they had no advantage.
Tiffany: That’s interesting because I think a lot of people assume psychopaths wouldn’t be affected by the polygraph.
Jared: Right, and while some people believe that “good liars” can beat the test or that people can “believe their lies,” these things don’t give them an advantage unless there’s a serious mental health condition involved, like psychosis.
Tiffany: Thank you for explaining that! I think the more we understand polygraphs, the less intimidating they seem.
Jared: Exactly. Reducing the stigma and fear around polygraphs helps people see them as a valuable tool in therapy.
Tiffany: How do you make sure that students understand the process and feel comfortable participating?
Jared: Good question. Just like in any therapeutic setting, informed consent is crucial. I’m not acting as a therapist when I conduct polygraphs, but we still go over all the details with the students. They know that they have the choice to leave at any time and that they don’t have to answer any questions they’re uncomfortable with.
Tiffany: I love that—it’s about giving them agency.
Jared: Exactly. It’s important not to pressure them. If we build rapport and approach the process respectfully, students usually feel comfortable enough to participate. Now, while the polygraph itself can create some anxiety, it’s not a traumatizing experience. It’s stressful, sure, but not traumatic. When students feel prepared and understand what to expect, they tend to do well. Statistically, the vast majority of youth who take these tests pass.
Understanding the Impact of Polygraphs
Tiffany: And that's something you see in your program too, right, Shawn?
Shawn: Yeah, exactly. Most of our students pass the polygraph, but what interests us is their experience with the process. One of the questions we ask is, "Would you have told the truth without the use of a clinical polygraph?" About 20% of them say, “Absolutely not.” That means around 80% come in already wanting to be honest—they recognize that keeping secrets is a heavy burden, and they see the polygraph as a way to let that go.
For the remaining 20% who are more hesitant, the polygraph helps them build trust with their therapist. Sometimes teens see their therapist as just another authority figure, like their parents, and that dynamic can create resistance. But with the polygraph, the therapist and student work together against the machine, saying, "It’s not about me or your parents; it’s about uncovering your truth.” This shift changes the therapeutic relationship.
Tiffany: I love that. It changes the whole dynamic—no more power struggle with the client.
Shawn: Exactly. Jared also mentioned the concept of a "maintenance polygraph," which we use at Oxbow. Maintenance polygraphs help us assess treatment progress. One area we focus on is understanding a student’s sexual behavior, not just to monitor activity, but to understand if they're creating any unhealthy sexual templates. It’s not about masturbation itself, but about understanding the brain pathways they're reinforcing during these moments, as fantasies can shape future behaviors.
Tiffany: Right, because the brain creates neural pathways based on what we think about, which can influence behavior.
Shawn: Exactly. So, during adolescence, their "sexual template"—or their concept of healthy sexuality—is still developing. That’s one reason working with teens has such a high success rate. They’re still forming these pathways, so with treatment, there’s an opportunity for positive change.
For example, a therapist once asked a student, "How often are you masturbating, and what’s your focus when you do?" The student said, “Oh, maybe once a week, and it’s always healthy and consensual.” However, the therapist had noticed the student frequently went to the bathroom and suspected there was more going on.
Tiffany: I’ve had cases like that too, where a student says, “Oh, I don’t do that anymore,” and I think, hmm…
Shawn: Exactly. So, the therapist brought it to the treatment team, saying, “I don’t think he’s being truthful.” We decided to bring in Jared and use a maintenance polygraph to dig deeper. When the student was tested, we learned he was engaging in this behavior two or three times a day, not once a week. And it turned out his fantasies were tied to thoughts of his victims.
Tiffany: And this was right before he was supposed to go home?
Shawn: Right.
Tiffany: Yeah.
Shawn: You're having a great session, the client is answering everything correctly, and as a therapist, you're feeling confident that you're on the right track. But then, the reality sets in: no matter what you discuss in therapy, it can be undone the moment the session ends. This is because the teen is still developing and focusing on their sexual template, which—
Tiffany: Creates neural pathways in the brain.
Shawn: Exactly. And unfortunately, these pathways involve inappropriate and illegal sexual behaviors that are not consensual. Every time he reinforces those behaviors, he’s strengthening those unhealthy neural pathways. So, we had to stop and reassess. We needed to help him understand what he was doing and work with him to adjust his thinking.
Tiffany: And find a healthier outlet.
Shawn: Right.
Tiffany: There’s nothing wrong with being sexual or having desires, but those desires can’t involve your victims. It’s important to recognize that fantasizing about harm or illegal behaviors is just not an appropriate outlet.
Shawn: Exactly. It can’t be illegal or harmful to others. If a young man has spent years building a sexual template based on violence, we must help him unwind and develop healthier sexual responses. If we don’t, there's a high risk that his future relationships and possibly others’ lives could be negatively impacted.
Tiffany: To our listeners, some may wonder how people develop such harmful fetishes or desires. This is how it happens. When someone repeatedly reinforces a sexual template—especially one based on harm—it can lead to behaviors that seem unthinkable to others. These unhealthy fantasies don’t just appear overnight.
Shawn: No, and here's the truth: After decades in this field, I can tell you that a person can sexualize almost anything.
Tiffany: Yeah.
Shawn: Things that don’t make sense to most people can make sense to someone whose sexual template has been shaped in a certain way. But when you consider the internet’s role, particularly since the late 90s, it’s easy to see how things changed. The internet made certain content far more accessible, and this dramatically shifted the landscape for young people.
Jared: And those more vulnerable kids are more likely to be exploited by those who have more criminogenic tendencies.
Shawn: Exactly. That was my motivation to change the approach we use in treatment. We needed something different.
Tiffany: And that shift started when the internet took over. Pornography went from being something like a Playboy magazine to something much more extreme, and over the years, it’s changed even further. The term "pornography" doesn’t even cover what it has become.
Shawn: And unfortunately, we don’t have a better term for it. It’s hardcore, and it’s everywhere.
The Evolution of Pornography and Its Effects
Tiffany: Yeah, hardcore porn.
Shawn: I want to stress to anyone listening that we are incredibly behind in understanding the effects of pornography, and we’ll likely never fully catch up because pornography is constantly evolving. So, imagine a young man who has a spectrum disorder, meaning he struggles to process information. He's taking in a massive amount of data but has difficulty organizing it in a way that makes sense.
Tiffany: And they're very concrete and literal.
Shawn: Exactly, very concrete.
Tiffany: Someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Shawn: Right. So when this person gets on the internet and sees pornography, his brain might register, "That seems bad, but I wonder how much worse it can get." And here's the problem: there is no limit to how bad it can get. Once they think they've seen it all, there's still the dark web. When a kid hears "dark web," do you think they’re going to say, "Oh, I should avoid that"?
Tiffany: No, they’re more likely to think, "Let’s test the limits."
Shawn: Exactly. They’re thinking, "Where’s the darkest part? Let me dive in." And there’s a deep end. Now, if you’re working with a fragile young person who’s developing a sexual template and they’re exposed to these extreme images, it’s a challenge. They don’t fully understand human connection or relationships, and as a therapist, you're faced with a kid whose brain is now filled with unhealthy, abusive, and illegal sexual content. And the scary part? They might start to think it’s normal. But it’s not.
Tiffany: Yeah.
Shawn: The way their brain processes it, they could look at that content and think, "Well, this seems normal."
Tiffany: I saw a statistic from a group called Fight the New Drug, which is a great movement. They reported that most teenage boys believe what they see in pornography is real, healthy sexuality.
Jared: It’s what people want.
Tiffany: Yes, they believe it’s what people want. Which is just terrifying because it's fantasy.
Shawn: It’s not just fantasy. It’s degrading to women. It reduces the identity of a woman, stripping away her value and presenting her as only valuable in certain degrading ways. A young man watching this doesn’t see a fully functioning woman; they see someone whose worth has been diminished.
Tiffany: They see that she has no value.
Shawn: Yeah, when they see these things, they're just reduced to objects. It presents the idea that this is what people want, but that’s a lie. It’s not what they want, but pornography creates so many issues.
Tiffany: I think we’ve done a great job discussing the polygraph and why it’s important, but for our listeners who are wondering, "What does this process look like?"—can you walk us through the steps involved in getting a polygraph for a young man, in a nutshell?
Shawn: Great question. I’m not a therapist, so feel free to fill in any gaps. There are a few crucial elements in preparing an adolescent for a clinical polygraph. The first step is helping them understand, cognitively, what behaviors are legal and which ones aren’t.
Tiffany: Yeah, we walk them through the legal system of their state.
Shawn: Right, because a lot of kids get confused, especially after seeing so much pornography. They get distorted views on what’s legal versus illegal.
Tiffany: Yes. Once they understand that, we move on to understanding consent.
Shawn: Consent is key. Many kids don’t fully understand what consent is or what it looks like.
Tiffany: And they may not even grasp the rules of government.
Shawn: It’s a lot of education. Consent is a huge piece because when you say the word “consent,” people can have very different interpretations. There’s a concept we use called the “consent bridge,” which is common in therapy, and we break it down into clear elements. They need to understand each one because we’ll be moving into their sexual history, and they must know where consent was and where it wasn’t.
Tiffany: Yes.
Shawn: Would you add anything?
Tiffany: Yeah, I just remember walking kids through it: first, we educate them on what consent is, then we get their history—how often are they looking at pornography? Who have they had sexual contact with? From there, we examine whether it was consensual, and if not, we explore whether grooming was involved. We try to untangle where victims are involved, and where they aren’t. Ultimately, we want to create a disclosure that uses accountable language, so if there was a victim, or if they were a victim, we ensure that accountability is reflected in their language.
Shawn: Right. The reason we don’t dive too deeply into sexual history with our kids is that it would be overwhelming to ask so many questions. We cast a wide net initially to gather all the information, but then we sifted through it, focusing on the facts and using appropriate language. That’s where the disclosure becomes our tool to validate that everything shared is truthful.
Shawn: One thing that’s interesting to me, although it may not be interesting to others, is the age of first exposure to pornography. Nationally, the average age is 11.
Jared: It’s even younger now, like 7. Ten years ago, it was 11, but now it's closer to 7.
Shawn: Okay. At Oxbow Academy, we see that our guys are often exposed between ages 4 to 6. That’s the average age for the kids in treatment. When we ask, "When did you first view pornography?" it's eye-opening.
Tiffany: We’ve covered this in other episodes too.
Shawn: Yes, we could have an entire podcast just about this topic. Think about it. I get asked all the time, "Are your kids victims first?" and it depends. If you consider a 4-year-old being exposed to pornography, do you think that child is a victim?
Tiffany: Absolutely.
Shawn: Then, at some level, all of our kids are victims. They've been exposed to sexuality at a very young age, and that exposure can go unnoticed until they mature. Once maturation begins, all that hidden trauma surfaces.
Tiffany: It’s like opening Pandora’s box.
Shawn: They explode. And all of a sudden, we’re dealing with a wide range of behavioral issues because of that early exposure.
Tiffany: So, once they’ve created the disclosure, they come to you, and you get the entire history—the full disclosure. That’s when you sit down and go through the next process.
Jared: Exactly. That’s when we start the interview process and dive deeper from there.
Shawn: Parents and families play a crucial role in this process.
Tiffany: Absolutely.
Shawn: It’s not just about taking the young man and saying, "We’ve got this, you go off and handle things while we prepare him for the polygraph." The parent's perspective is vital throughout. As the young man works through his sexual history, parents will say things like, “Wait, remember that time at the cabin? I walked into that room and something wasn’t right. What was going on?”
Tiffany: Yes, the parents provide key insights that help us get as close to the truth as possible in the initial disclosure.
Shawn: Exactly. This is where Jared’s work comes into play as part of our team. He’s the one who adds the final pieces. Sometimes the young man may not have been ready to tell the full truth earlier, but now, sitting in Jared’s office, he feels more comfortable and willing to open up.
Tiffany: The parents are involved from start to finish. It's not a situation where we just tell them, “We’ll let you know if he passes the polygraph.” They know exactly what’s being asked of him every step of the way.
Shawn: And they’re an integral part of holding their son accountable. They help him recall details of events—things he might have forgotten or maybe choosing not to remember. Having them involved is essential to the process.
Jared: What’s interesting about how polygraphs are used now is that they’ve become so focused on sexual issues. That’s been the bulk of our conversation today, but in any setting where kids are grouped and there’s potential for problematic behaviors, a polygraph doesn’t have to be about sexual issues. It can be used to foster a culture of honesty in general.
Expanding the Use of Polygraphs Beyond Sexual Issues
Jared: I know polygraphs have become somewhat confined to just one area, but in the real world, they’re used for so much more than just addressing sexual problems. For instance, they’re used in pre-employment screenings for police officers, FBI agents, and people applying for secret government clearance. Polygraphs are used in all sorts of contexts that don’t relate to crime. The stigma around them often ties them to criminal behavior, which makes people hesitant to use them as a tool in other settings. But if used properly, polygraphs can help create a safer environment and uncover secrets before they fester and lead to bigger issues.
Tiffany: Right, it’s about being proactive rather than reactive.
Jared: Exactly.
Tiffany: I love that. We’ve talked off-air about this before, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked with clients—especially outside of Oxbow—where I would’ve loved to have the tool of a polygraph. Not to interrogate or to force someone into telling the truth, but to help guide the healing process. There have been times when I felt like I was chasing my tail with clients, not knowing the full truth, and neither the parents nor I could get to the bottom of it. We’re left scratching our heads, trying to move forward without all the information. Having a polygraph to help get to the truth would’ve been invaluable. It’s not about being the "bad guy" or catching someone in a lie. It’s about saying, “There’s something more going on, and we can’t move forward until we address it.” If we had that tool, it would’ve made all the difference.
Jared: I completely agree. Maintenance polygraphs—using them for more than just sexual issues—would be incredibly powerful in our industry if people were more open to what research is showing. When done properly, polygraphs can be an effective tool for accountability and healing.
Shawn: From an executive director’s perspective, I can tell you that maintenance of polygraphs throughout treatment not only helps maintain a safer facility but also keeps the students accountable to each other. They even help keep my staff in check. When I train my staff, I make it clear: if you’re entering into a secret with a student, it’s going to come out. It could come out a lot sooner than you think, especially if the student is scheduled for a maintenance polygraph. Jared will ask, "Has your behavior been consistent with staff?" and if there’s something hidden, the student will reveal it. My staff needs to understand that.
Tiffany: Absolutely.
Shawn: Let me give you an example of why maintenance polygraphs are so beneficial. We had a young man, let’s call him John, who had completed the first three phases of treatment and was starting to go on home passes. After his home passed, he returned, and everything seemed to be fine. But during his first session with his therapist, knowing he had a maintenance polygraph coming up, he admitted, “I made some mistakes while I was on my home pass.” He was beginning to lean into some of the behaviors that brought him to Oxbow in the first place. He hadn’t acted on them yet, but he was aware of them and knew the polygraph would catch them. So, he came forward. This was valuable information for his parents—they now knew that he might not be completely ready to go home. Without the polygraph, we wouldn’t have had that insight.
Tiffany: Yeah, that’s huge.
Shawn: Exactly. It helps everyone stay on track and make sure we’re not missing anything important.
The Impact of Polygraphs on Client Honesty and Treatment
Shawn: Without the polygraph, that would’ve remained a secret.
Tiffany: Exactly. And I think we’ve covered how a polygraph can be such a powerful tool when it’s used properly when the student or client is prepared for it. It doesn’t have to be exclusively about sexual issues, though we know that’s where it’s most often applied. The truth is, there’s a lot of shame and secrecy tied to sexual matters, and that's where a polygraph can be especially valuable.
For our listeners, in the next episode, we’ll dive into the research on polygraphs—does it help? Spoiler alert: we’ve already given you a hint, and the research shows that polygraphs are, in fact, very helpful. Our clients generally report that it’s a positive experience. We’re going to unpack that more in our next conversation, so stay tuned!
Thank you both, Jared and Shawn, for being here today. I’m excited to continue this discussion in the next episode—this topic is so crucial and truly can be a powerful tool in treatment.
Jared: Thanks for having us.
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