Who We Are
Specialized Offender Services (SOS) provides evidence-based treatment tailored to individual needs, following the Standards of the Sex Offense Management Board (SOMB).
Our Mission:
No More Victims
This is the heartbeat of our work — the unwavering belief that drives everything we do. Victimization is not a single event, but a cycle that perpetuates itself, leaving deep scars. The word “victim” takes many forms: harm inflicted by others, pain internalized, and lives caught in patterns of martyrdom. At its core, victimization strips individuals of their agency and their sense of self, leaving them trapped in a cycle of hurt and helplessness. When people attempt to regain control in ways that harm others, they create more victims, deepening the wound. We are here to break the cycle.
We believe that healing is not only possible but essential. Like harm, healing is pervasive — it starts with one person, one story, one pivotal moment of transformation. Our mission is to create a pathway to self-empowerment and redemption, where individuals are not defined by their past but inspired by the possibility of a brighter future. Our vision is to build a legacy of lifting others up, serving with purpose, and inspiring change that ripples through lives, communities, and beyond. Healing begins here, and it begins with you.
Our Story and Our Founder
In 2005, Specialized Offender Services (SOS) was founded by Charla Thorstad, whose life’s work embodied both courage and compassion. Charla saw the humanity in everyone — even when others could not. She believed that the path to healing lay not in punishment or shame, but in radical honesty, empathy, and connection. Charla had an extraordinary ability to see people as they truly were — in their fullness, their flaws, and their potential. Her gift was creating space for truth, often uncomfortable but always necessary, where real healing could begin.
At a time when offender treatment was dominated by fear and stigma, Charla dared to believe differently. She recognized that offending was not the mark of a monster, but the product of unmet needs, distorted goals, and misguided attempts to belong. Guided by the Good Lives Model (GLM), she championed a new approach — one rooted in the belief that every person has inherent worth and the capacity to change. Her work gave others permission to unclench, to breathe, to be seen — and in being seen, to heal.
Our Continuing Legacy
Nearly two decades later, SOS continues to carry forward Charla’s vision. From humble beginnings, we have become a trusted provider for over 200 clients across Colorado, transforming lives and breaking cycles of harm. Our leadership in the field helped influence the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) to adopt the GLM as the statewide treatment standard — a testament to Charla’s pioneering spirit and the dedication of our team.
Through SOS and our expansion into TRUE Counseling, we continue to bring holistic, trauma-informed, and inclusive care to those navigating the intersection of criminal behavior, trauma, and addiction. We honor Charla’s commitment to authenticity, inclusivity, and fearless compassion by challenging outdated systems, amplifying diverse voices, and redefining what justice and healing can look like.
Our Promise
We are more than a service. We are a movement — a movement born from Charla’s belief that to truly end victimization, we must face truth with compassion and see the humanity in all people.
We will continue to fight for a world where no one is left behind — a world where healing
outshines harm.
A world where there are no more victims.
Treatment Pathway
Because everyone’s situation is unique, your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific risks, needs, and progress. Treatment is an ongoing process of assessment, planning, and intervention, and it adapts as you grow and change throughout the program.
At SOS, we use cognitive behavioral techniques and structured manuals that serve as “roadmaps” for your journey. Treatment is divided into five levels, each with its own manual. Alongside these levels, you’ll participate in Module Groups, which focus on specific areas of need.
At times, your treatment plan may also include input from victims, probation, or treatment staff, which will guide your progress.
OUR EXPECTATIONS:
OUR GOALS:
“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it.” – Ekhart Tolle
