Research on the processes involved in treating sexual offenders.
This article summarizes preliminary findings from a series of pilot studies on the processes involved in treating sexual offenders. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used on samples of 15 to 24 child molesters undergoing a prison-based cognitive-behavioral and relapse prevention treatment program. Results are presented and discussed in the form of 5 questions: (1) Are therapists just "technicians"? The offenders' point of view (2) Does confronting the therapist mean treatment resistance? (3) Are the therapists perceived as therapists, parents, or a bit of both? (4) Is the structure of the program important? The offenders' point of view and (5) Is a sense of mastery important in a prison setting? It is suggested that researchers investigate the processes underlying the treatment of offenders, especially the common factors which have been shown to have an effect on therapeutic outcome.
Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. martin.drapeau@mcgill.ca
Martin
M
Drapeau
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000592:standards; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016896:Treatment Outcome