Program Mission
Alpha Emergence Behavioral Health’s mission is to prevent and alleviate the harms of sexual abuse by providing services to perpetrators and those at risk to commit an offense and offering education to involved agencies and the public on topics relevant to sexual abuse perpetration and prevention.
AEBH strives to provide high quality, tailored services for individuals experiencing problematic sexual behavior. Our commitment to client-centered care is unwavering. We believe our client’s needs are the most important when it comes to preventing sexual abuse and creating safe communities.
Our philosophy is that real change can only happen when clients are listened to, respected, and fully understood. We take the time to thoroughly examine clients’ problems in context, integrating multiple modalities and evidence-based practices to find unique solutions to meet the individual’s needs.
All programming at AEBH is individualized. Our program is not “cookie cutter” and each client works through treatment programming developed collaboratively with them based on information gathered through clinical interviews, assessments, 3rd party collateral, and sources outside our agency who work with the client and understand their needs.
Payments for outpatient services can be made by the client, medical insurance, available state grants, or by the referring agency. In some cases, a referring agency to pays part of the cost while the individual pays the remainder.
All treatment programs at Alpha Emergence begin with an intake, otherwise known as a diagnostic assessment. This assessment is where we begin the treatment process and start developing treatment goals in collaboration with the client. The client’s needs are assessed, and plan of action is developed based on the information gathered.
In some cases, it may be decided during the assessment process that a referral to another agency is most appropriate. An appointment for a diagnostic assessment does not mean treatment admission is guaranteed, the assessment is used to determine appropriateness for treatment at AEBH.
A Diagnostic Assessment is the first step in treatment at Emergence. It provides a comprehensive picture of a client’s mental health needs and helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Unlike a Psychosexual Evaluation, which is a court-ordered forensic tool, a Diagnostic Assessment is a clinical service focused on identifying concerns and guiding care.
The assessment includes:
The purpose of a Diagnostic Assessment is to:
This assessment is required to establish eligibility for services and to ensure each client is matched with the care that best fits their needs.
Juvenile sexual offending treatment program
Ignite is an outpatient treatment program designed to treat juveniles between the ages of 13 and 18 who are at risk of committing a harmful sexual act or have committed an illegal sexual offense. The treatment model is non-shaming and designed to empower the juvenile to improve their lives, manage risk for future harmful behaviors, and increase the community’s safety.
Treatment begins with diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. Once assessment is complete, the client is assigned to a clinician who meets with them individually. Frequency of sessions is based on the client need. Family plays an integral role in recovery and is included in the treatment process whenever possible. We also work closely with probation agents to ensure the requirements of probation and the courts are met.
The goal is for the client to emerge as an individual with improved self-image, identify abuse and appropriate boundaries, take responsibility for their behavior, maintain healthy, supportive family and peer relationships, and manage or reject abusive thoughts/fantasies, seeking support when needed.
Treatment is highly individualized, and the length depends on each client’s needs and level of motivation. Most juveniles can complete the program in 12 months.
Emerging adult sexual offending treatment program
Our Emerge program is an outpatient program that provides holistic, effective treatment to emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 23 who are at risk to commit a harmful sexual act or who have committed an illegal sexual offense. The program is designed to meet the unique needs of persons who are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. The treatment program takes a positive and non-adversarial approach, utilizes a developmental approach to help the individual successfully benefit from the maturation process that will help maximize their potential leading to a healthy sexual future free from harm.
Treatment begins with a diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. We develop a personalized treatment plan and assign clients to a treatment group (if appropriate). Treatment is highly individualized and typically consists of twice per month individual sessions in conjunction with once per month group therapy. Whenever possible, we include families in the treatment process to optimize recovery. The length of treatment depends on each client’s needs and level of motivation therefore, length of time the in the program varies for each client. Clients can expect to be in treatment an average of 12-18 months.
The goals of the treatment program are individualized to address the specific risk and needs of each client. The program is comprised of education and therapy using a group process. It covers several areas including offense dynamics, personal history, sexual education, consent, sexual beliefs and attitudes, re-offense prevention, values, self-regulation, problem solving, relationships, self-esteem and healthy lifestyle.
Sexual offending treatment program
Our Journey program is an outpatient program that provides holistic, effective treatment to adults at risk to commit a harmful sexual act or who have committed an illegal sexual offense. Our whole-person treatment model empowers clients to improve their lives, manage risk for future harmful behaviors, and increase the community’s safety. The program—comprised of education and therapy using a group process—covers several topics related to personal and sexual history, patterns of abusive behaviors, relationships, communication, impact of harmful behavior, management of emotions, healthy sexuality, and developing a re-offense prevention plan.
Treatment begins with a diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. We develop a personalized treatment plan and assign clients to a treatment group (if appropriate). The program consists of three phases:
Treatment typically consists of weekly group therapy and monthly individual and or family therapy. Whenever possible, we include families in the treatment process to optimize recovery. The length of treatment depends on each client’s risk/needs and level of motivation.
The Trek Program is an outpatient program for that provides holistic, effective treatment for adults at risk to commit a harmful sexual act or who have committed an illegal sexual offense, but who are at low risk for recidivism and/or have minimal areas of treatment needs to be addressed. Clients in this program will typically have stability in a majority of areas in their life and require education/minimal treatment intervention on a small number of dynamic factors. The program is presented through a combination of group and individual therapy, via teletherapy. Clients will participate in once weekly group therapy and once to twice monthly individual therapy for an expected timeframe of 6 to 12 months, exploring in-depth their treatment plan goals developed with their stable dynamic needs and risk factors in mind. The program covers topics related to personal and sexual history, patterns of abusive behaviors, relationships, communication, impact of harmful behavior, management of emotions, healthy sexuality, and developing a re-offense prevention plan.
Individual therapy
Our Voyage program is a one-on-one program that is individualized to each client’s specific needs. Some clients engage in this treatment as part of a treatment mandate, while others seek this therapy voluntarily to achieve self-improvement. This program is highly individualized, and a treatment plan is developed to address specific issues that can range from several types of sexual behaviors.
Healthy sexuality and boundaries
This therapy is designed to provide education, guidance, and personalized treatment for clients who exhibit problematic sexual behaviors but have not been referred for a full treatment program. This program is focused on healthy sexuality and boundaries and is a 16-week group. Group members meet weekly for both group and individual sessions. The pace of the program is quick so clients must be motivated to attend consistently, stay on task, and move along together.
Transitional aftercare program (TAP)
TAP is a maintenance and continuum of care program for clients released from prison who participated in treatment while in prison or civil commitment. The program is designed to aid in the preparation of a well-organized and healthy transition into the community. TAP is an extension of treatment—our goal is to help clients strengthen and apply the cognitive, behavioral, social, and vocational skills they’ve learned as they transition into society.
Participants have already developed a detailed release plan addressing all aspects of a sober and crime-free lifestyle after release and a re-offense prevention plan. The purpose of TAP is to reinforce these plans and address any difficulties after release. Emphasis is placed on enhancing and expanding opportunities for positive future life choices that would support a healthy lifestyle and reaffirming coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.
This program is provided for as long as the participant’s individual needs indicate it is beneficial to their goals of sobriety and a prosocial lifestyle. Expected attendance is 12 months, or at the discretion of the treatment provider and parole agent. Treatment groups meet twice a month.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program is structured as a dynamic, short-term stabilization service tailored to address the unique challenges faced by clients who have exhibited sexually harmful behaviors. Central to our approach is integrating lifestyle stability factors with rigorous adherence to empirically supported treatment dosages that effectively mitigate the risk of recidivism.
The program spans 12-16 weeks and is designed around the principle that the ‘right’ amount of therapeutic intervention is crucial for effective rehabilitation. The research underscores the significance of treatment dosage—the total hours of cognitive behavioral programming. Accordingly, our IOP provides:
Dive into a realm where therapy and imagination converge in Quest: Game Therapy, a pioneering group experience designed to foster personal growth, social skill enhancement, and anxiety reduction. This innovative program intertwines the captivating world of fantasy role-playing games with key principles of psychodrama, creating an interactive atmosphere where participants can explore, express, and evolve.
Each session is a journey through meticulously crafted scenarios that reflect real-life social situations and challenges. Within this safe, collaborative space, members engage in creative problem-solving, develop interpersonal strategies, and build confidence, all while embarking on a collective adventure. Facilitated by an experienced therapist, Quest: Game Therapy transcends traditional therapy boundaries, offering participants a unique opportunity to harness their inner strengths, understand social cues, and build meaningful relationships.
More than a gaming encounter, Quest: Game Therapy is a transformative odyssey into one’s own abilities and potentials, redefining the quest for better mental health and social interactions.
The Ascent program is a 16-session group therapy experience for individuals court-mandated to complete domestic violence treatment, especially those with co-occurring sexually harmful behaviors. We designed this program to meet Minnesota Statute 518B.02 expectations while offering a truly trauma-informed path forward for those ready to break the cycle of abuse.
Key Features:
16 weekly sessions (90 minutes each)
Built for crossover cases (DV + SO)
Male/female co-facilitated group model
Evidence based and research backed
Who It’s For:
Court-ordered clients for DV treatment
Individuals referred by DOC, probation, courts, or attorneys
Clients already enrolled in other AEBH services or newly referred
These groups offer focused support in key areas such as Compulsive Sexual Behavior, DBT/Emotion Management, and Cognitive Skills. Each group provides a safe, confidential space to explore challenges, learn effective coping strategies, and connect with others facing similar experiences.
The Compulsive Sexual Behavior group helps participants understand and manage behaviors that can disrupt quality of life. The DBT/Emotion Management group utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach emotion regulation and develop resilience in the face of life’s challenges. Emphasizing skill-building, psychoeducation, and insight-oriented dialogue, these groups serve as a powerful adjunct to individual therapy, guiding participants toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.
These groups are meant to compliment services the client is already engaged in; they are recommended for clients who would benefit in addition to their regular treatment
Taking responsibility for sexually abusive behavior is an important part of treatment. This program is designed for clients who do not need in-depth sexual offending treatment, but who do need more information and education about sexuality, appropriate boundaries, and responsible sexual behavior.
The Psychoeducational Course addresses the issues of inappropriate sexual behavior and sexual harassment. It introduces topics that are addressed in traditional treatment by means of an educational format. This approach provides an alternative method for addressing allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct when there is an insufficient level of responsibility accepted by the client for placement in a traditional therapy group or when placement in such a group is not warranted. Participants are not required to disclose to the group the nature or reason for their referral to the course. Discussions are, instead, focused on the topics presented by the facilitators. Class members are then required to demonstrate proficiency in the course material through written tests corresponding to the presented topics.
The goals of this course are to provide an opportunity for participants to explore the nature of defense mechanisms, to support the decision to become more candid regarding their behavior, and to encourage the exploration of issues surrounding their problematic sexual behaviors. Additionally, the objectives are to provide participants with information about sexual functioning, to alter attitudes, to reduce shame, and to improve the problem-solving and stress management abilities of those in the course. Often, participation in the course results in a class member developing increased motivation for entering into a traditional therapy group. For others, it provides useful information to guide future behavioral choices.
The psychoeducational course uses lectures, guest presentations, movies, group discussions, in-group assignments, homework assignments, and post-tests of each content area covered. The post-tests are administered after each topic and must be passed at the 80% level. If participants do not reach this level, they must do remedial work until they are able to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly, ensuring that the material is mastered at a significant level. While this course is not a substitute for treatment, it can be an appropriate adjunctive service. It should be noted that completion of the Psychoeducational Program is not the equivalent of completing a treatment program.
The following topics are covered in the psychoeducational program: reproductive anatomy, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, sexuality throughout the lifespan, masturbation, sexual fantasy and pornography, healthy and unhealthy sexuality, intimacy, touch and boundary issues, shame and guilt, stress management, chemical abuse, defense mechanisms, denial and offending, sexually abusive behaviors, types of sexual offending, victim impact, reoffense prevention.
Customized psychoeducational courses are available as well. The curriculum can be modified to meet the specific needs of a particular referred client. All the topics noted above are available for a customized psychoeducational course and the referring agency, in collaboration with the course facilitators, can determine which topics are relevant to that client.
Intervention program for men who buy sex (aka John School)
Our insight program is an innovative program designed specifically for men who buy sex. Primarily men in this program have solicited a prostitute either on the street or via the internet. Some men in this group have solicited sex in exchange or money from someone who was not a prostitute. The program focuses on the reasons behind men’s decisions to pay for sex. Our aim is not to fixate on guilt and shame, but instead bring men on a journey regarding their association with prostitution through assessment, education, self-awareness, and attitude and behavior change. The program’s goal is for men to gain insight into their actions and evaluate areas of their lives that might benefit from additional therapy exploration. This is a day-long educational and interactive program that takes place in a group or individual setting. This program is not eligible for insurance coverage.
Care Coordination services address issues regarding reintegration into the community and life instability issues, such as, employment, housing, access to community resources, family reunification, and adjustment to intensive supervised release.
This class is designed to educate friends or family members about proper supervision techniques, roles, responsibilities, and expectations of an approved supervisor. This training takes place in a group setting. Friends or family members interested in this training must have access to and be able to bring with them the statement of probable cause for the person they plan to supervise as well as the probation conditions. Once this training is completed, the supervisor receives a letter stating they participated and completed the training. Approval of the individual to be a supervisor for the client is ultimately up to probation, child protective services, and the treatment provider.
A Diagnostic Assessment is the first step in treatment at Emergence. It provides a comprehensive picture of a client’s mental health needs and helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Unlike a Psychosexual Evaluation, which is a court-ordered forensic tool, a Diagnostic Assessment is a clinical service focused on identifying concerns and guiding care.
The assessment includes:
The purpose of a Diagnostic Assessment is to:
This assessment is required to establish eligibility for services and to ensure each client is matched with the care that best fits their needs.
While assessing and treating sexual behavior is not an exact science, it is necessary to provide services which are as comprehensive and competent as possible. Psychophysiological assessment can assist with assessing treatment progress and to refine treatment objectives. These assessment assist with identifying an individual’s arousal patterns and can help counter denial in treatment. Information gathered in these assessments helps with the development of plans to prevent sexual harm.
The LOOK assessment and PPGs, can be administered to AEBH clients or for outside providers who do not have access to this equipment for their own clients.
Psychosexual Evaluations (PSE)
A Psychosexual Evaluation (PSE), also known as a risk evaluation, is a specialized forensic assessment intended for individuals who have been charged with a sexual offense and are involved in the court process. Its purpose is to assess risk, inform sentencing, and guide treatment and supervision decisions.
A PSE typically includes:
When is a PSE appropriate?
When is a PSE not appropriate?
A PSE is a forensic tool, not a general clinical assessment. It should only be conducted when the legal and clinical criteria are met, specifically, when there is a charged sexual offense and a court order. In all other cases, a diagnostic assessment is the appropriate service to address concerns and guide treatment.
Referrals can be made by the courts, probation, social service agencies, health care management organizations, attorneys, employers, families, and clients themselves. Our services range from programming designed for low-risk individuals that meet as little as once a month to higher risk individuals who attend services multiple times a week.
Our intake process begins with a diagnostic assessment where we determine which services are most appropriate for the client. In some cases, it may be decided during the assessment process that a referral to another agency is most appropriate. An appointment for a diagnostic assessment does not mean treatment admission is guaranteed, the assessment is used to determine appropriateness for treatment at AEBH.
Our intake team will collect demographic information including insurance information and send intake paperwork to the client for signatures. Once appropriate forms are signed, we will contact involved individuals and agencies to gather necessary information. An intake appointment will be scheduled once the file is complete.
Making a referral and scheduling an intake appointment can be done by calling our main number is 763-333-8001 or emailing info@alphaemergence.org. In some cases, referral sources may wish to fax a referral or collateral documentation, our fax number is 651-925-0267.
At AEBH, we believe safe, stable housing is a critical part of successful reentry and long-term recovery. That’s why we offer supported housing to clients at any level of our programming, graduates of our program, and individuals who are engaged in or have graduated from another treatment program.
Our Kendell House offers 16 private bedrooms in an independent-living setting. Bedrooms are grouped in sets of four, with each group sharing a kitchen and bathroom. Residents also have access to shared common space in the basement for social connection and community building.
Kendell House is independent living, not a supervised facility, but residents aren’t on their own, either. Case management staff are on site 20 to 40 hours a week to provide support, and residents take part in regular community meetings that build connection and accountability among housemates.
Residents are expected to follow house rules that keep the environment safe and respectful. Repeated rule violations can result in eviction, but residents in good standing are welcome to stay as long as they need; there’s no set deadline for how long someone can call Kendell House home. Residents are also encouraged to participate in AEBH programming, which can range from case management alone to full participation in our Intensive Outpatient Program.
For clients who need a higher level of on-site support than independent living provides, we partner with other housing providers that offer 24-hour supervision. These residents can pair that supervised housing with AEBH programming to receive treatment at a high intensity level of care.
Housing costs can be covered one of two ways: through county housing support (formerly known as GRH) for clients who qualify, or through private payment. We’re committed to making housing accessible to those we serve and we’re proud to accommodate level 3 offenders, recognizing the importance of offering support and rehabilitation to everyone who needs it.
If you have questions or would like to explore our housing options, reach out to John, our dedicated contact for housing inquiries. You can reach him by email at housing@alphaemergence.org or by phone at 763-333-8001, option 4. John is happy to help you find the right housing solution within our program.
At AEBH, we’re committed to empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential on the path to recovery.
The Come Up is AEBH’s workforce development program, teaching participants the real skills of running an e-commerce business — inventory management, point-of-sale operations, order fulfillment and shipping, and merchandising — through hands-on work in an actual retail operation. Designed for individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration, the program pairs practical job training with a real path toward entrepreneurship. Proceeds from The Come Up help fund AEBH’s treatment services, so participants aren’t just learning a trade — they’re directly supporting the recovery of others in our program.
The Come Up is located at 21 Century Ave S, Maplewood, MN. Retail hours are coming soon — check back for updates. For questions, reach out to us at info@thecomeup.org.
Further information about AEBH’s programs can be obtained by contacting 763-333-8001 or by e-mail to info@alphaemergence.org.