Psychodynamic Short-Term Therapy for Criminal Behaviors

Abstract

The psychodynamic therapy technique is used in addressing a variety of mental health concerns, including behaviors that are considered criminal. In the present chapter, the implementation of psychodynamic short-term therapy (PSTT) for people who engage in criminal behavior will be examined. PSTT can be conceptualized as a brief therapy that helps individuals to gain awareness of unconscious factors that play a role in shaping their behaviors. It is based on the idea that criminal behaviors are associated with the trauma and unresolved conflicts from the past experiences repressed into the unconscious. This therapy technique, which leads to the discovery of these unconscious factors, provides tools for individuals to better understand and change their behavior. In this chapter, the theoretical basis of psychodynamic therapy, including its key concepts such as the unconscious, transference, and defense mechanisms will be explored. Then, specific approaches and strategies such as identification of maladaptive coping mechanisms and the impact of trauma on individuals’ criminal behavior will be discussed with case examples from the literature. At the end, the empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychodynamic short-term therapy for criminal behavior and its limitations will be examined. The findings of the literature and recommendations will be offered to expedite forthcoming research in this domain.