VIOLENT thugs will be sent to therapy under a new plan to clean up the Gold Coast's party precincts.

Police are turning to therapy in response to community anger over street fights and other violent crime on the tourist strip.

Under the new plan, violent offenders bailed from the watchhouse will be referred to Bond University's Psychology Clinics.

Those who refuse to seek help could face tougher penalties in court.

"There is no excuse for relevant defendants to not engage with the clinic to address their offending behaviour," Gold Coast Superintendent Stephen Hollands said.

Defendants will have to engage with the clinic's Don't Fight, Communicate Right program before their first court appearance.

The program offers group and individual therapy, and aims to teach self-control and other behavioural skills.

Specialists from the clinic will advise police about how offenders are progressing, and that assessment will play a role in court outcomes, police say.

The plan will also ensure defendants are referred to relevant rehab and treatment programs.

Supt Hollands said the program was aimed at improving public safety in the Gold Coast's Drink Safe Precinct.

He said the therapy program would give offenders the tools to control their behaviour and understand their aggression.

Help with any substance abuse issues will also be offered under the police plan.

"It's about looking at what's happened in their lives that causes those issues to occur," Supt Hollands said.

He said the Gold Coast City Council had also agreed to provide CCTV footage so offenders could observe their own behaviour as they underwent counselling.

Supt Hollands said it would ultimately be up to the courts to decide if offenders were treated more leniently in return for signing up for therapy.

But he said police would be able to make submissions, outlining offenders' willingness to take part, or their lack of it.