Clinical data were derived from evaluations of 42 adolescent child molesters seen at a Boston outpatient mental health center. Adolescent child molesters were seen individually and then in group therapy on a weekly basis. The length of stay in the evaluation program ranged from 4 weeks to 4 years, depending on client needs and progress. Client ages ranged from 12 to 20 years. Six responses were used most frequently by adolescents when confronted with their offense: 1) denied having committed the offense and offered alternative explanations; 2) denied they had anything to do with the offense but offered no alternative explanations; 3) avoided important facts through excessive elaboration on related but insignificant aspects of the offense; 4) adopted an offensive stance toward the interviewer by means of verbal attack; 5) refused to discuss anything with the interviewer; and 6) used the 'failure to remember' strategy. It was determined that the processes of lying and distortion are similar and interactive. Specialized treatment should involve a combination of confrontative and fear-reducing strategies to combat these processes. 9 references. (Author abstract modified)