Therapist-Related Factors in Correctional Treatment

Jeglic, Elizabeth L.; Katsman, Kseniya

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-01030-0_6

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Our findings indicate that for patients it is crucial that their individual needs are acknowledged and respected. This is in line with earlier research underlining the importance of therapists' flexibility in responding to client individuality to develop a therapeutic alliance and influence treatment outcome (Marshall and Serran, 2004;Gannon and Ward, 2014;Blasko et al, 2018;Jeglic and Katsman, 2018). However, it stands in contradiction to the use of highly structured manuals that suppress flexibility and neglect client individuality but are common for treatments following the risk-need-responsivity model developed by Andrews and Bonta (2010).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Previous research in correctional psychology highlights the importance of transparency regarding the therapist's role in risk management (Dowling et al, 2018;Merkt et al, unpublished), perceived coercion (Hotzy and Jaeger, 2016) as well as in relation to limits to confidentiality (Gannon and Ward, 2014;Elger et al, 2015a,b). Others have emphasized that a collaborative but directive style was beneficial (Ross et al, 2008;Blasko et al, 2018;Jeglic and Katsman, 2018;Meyer et al, 2019) while a harsh confrontational and authoritarian style was negatively linked to alliance measures (Marshall and Serran, 2004;Meyer et al, 2019). Wittouck and Vander Beken (2019) proposed that these preliminary findings could be subsumed under the procedural justice theory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Court-Mandated Patients’ Perspectives on the Psychotherapist’s Dual Loyalty Conflict – Between Ally and Enemy

et al. 2021

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BackgroundMental health professionals working in correctional contexts engage a double role to care and control. This dual loyalty conflict has repeatedly been criticized to impede the development of a high-quality alliance. As therapeutic alliance is a robust predictor of outcome measures of psychotherapy, it is essential to investigate the effects of this ethical dilemma.MethodsThis qualitative interview study investigates patients’ perceptions of their therapists’ dual role conflict in court-mandated treatment settings. We interviewed 41 older incarcerated persons using a semi-structured interview guide, the interviews were subsequently analyzed following thematic analysis.ResultsWe first present the patients’ perceptions of their treating psychotherapist’s dual loyalty conflict, which was linked to their overall treatment experience. In a second step, we outline the study participants’ reasons for this judgment, which were most commonly linked to feelings of trust or betrayal. More specifically, they named certain therapist characteristics and activities that enabled them to develop a trustful therapeutic alliance, which we grouped into four topics: (1) respecting the patient’s pace and perceived coercion; (2) patient health needs to be first priority; (3) clarity in roles and responsibilities; and (4) the art of communication – between transparency and unchecked information sharing.DiscussionDeveloping a high quality alliance in mandatory offender treatment is central due to its relationship with recovery and desistance. Our findings show that some therapists’ characteristics and activities attenuate the negative impact of their double role on the development and maintenance of the alliance. To increase the effectiveness of court-mandated treatments, we need to support clinicians in dealing with their dual role to allow the formation of a high quality therapeutic alliance. Our qualitative interview study contributed to this much-needed empirical research on therapist’ characteristics promoting a trustful relationship in correctional settings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Court-Mandated Patients’ Perspectives on the Psychotherapist’s Dual Loyalty Conflict – Between Ally and Enemy

et al. 2021

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“…Similarly, Hatcher and Noakes (2010) found that their sample of Australian therapists who treated offenders convicted of a sex crime reported moderate to high levels of compassion satisfaction, suggesting that the treatment providers found pleasure in their work. Psychological well-being has been linked to effective coping and self-care skills, and to date, several studies have examined how coping may impact psychological wellbeing for those who provide treatment to individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes (Jeglic & Katsman, 2018;Parsonson & Alquicira, 2019). For instance, Farrenkopf (1992) found that more than half of the clinicians in his sample (58%) stated that diversifying work areas and decreasing or stopping work with those who sexually offend helped prevent burnout, while 25% reported engaging in an "attitude adjustment" where they detached themselves from client outcomes or change.…”

Section: Coping and Self-carementioning

confidence: 99%

The Experience of Working With Individuals Who Sexually Offend

2021

Self Cite

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Providing treatment to those who have committed sexual offenses can be difficult and challenging work. Older studies have suggested that service providers may experience changes in mood, symptoms of trauma, and countertransference reactions due to their work. Recent research has found that effective coping and self-care strategies may mitigate these negative outcomes. Given the relative dearth of recent empirical studies, we assessed the prevalence of self-reported mood, trauma symptoms, and countertransference reactions and their relation to coping styles and self-care practices in a sample of 32 male and 52 female therapists who provided treatment to individuals convicted of sexual offenses. As expected, we found minimal levels of clinically significant depressive (4%) and trauma symptoms (9%). Some countertransference reactions to clients were reported, including intense anger, retributive fantasies, sexual attraction, and arousal. A problem-solving coping style was associated with higher levels of psychological well-being, while avoidant coping was related to increased depressive and trauma symptoms. Approximately 10% of therapists with an abuse history reported re-experiencing their own victimization. The majority of therapists reported engaging in self-care practices. The findings are discussed as they pertain to those who provide services to individuals convicted of sexual offenses.

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“…Empathy [ 6 , 7 ], genuineness/congruence [ 8 , 9 ], and positive regard [ 10 ] are the most reported therapist characteristics and activities. Evidence suggests that these characteristics are equally important in court-mandated treatment contexts, as they were linked to patients responding more positively to psychotherapeutic treatment and to enhancing their motivation to change [ 11 – 15 ]. Even though some implications of therapist characteristics might be common to all treatment conditions, others might be specific to the context [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This should not be confounded with a dominant, authoritarian or confrontational-style, which was highlighted as detrimental in the therapeutic process. For instance, Marshall and Serran [ 13 ] conceptualized confrontation as a derogatory and aggressive communication style [ 11 – 14 ]. This is of particular importance when working with persons who committed an offence, as the justice system requires the crime to be targeted as part of treatment and often specifically links facilitation or relaxation of imprisonment to progress in openness to address past offenses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What characterizes a good mental health professional in court-mandated treatment settings?: Findings from a qualitative study with older patients and mental health care professionals

Seaward¹,

Wangmo²,

Vogel

et al. 2021

BMC Psychol

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Background Therapist-related activities and characteristics such as empathy and genuineness are factors that significantly contribute to psychotherapy outcome. As they play a role in psychotherapy more generally, it can be expected that they are equally important in the treatment of court-mandated patients more specifically. At the same time, these treatment settings come with specific challenges—e.g. due to coercion and control—and it could thus be that some therapist-related characteristics might have a different empathy on the therapy. This interview study sought to investigate service providers’ and users’ perspectives on therapist-related characteristics in the context of detention. Methods We conducted a qualitative interview study with 41 older incarcerated persons mandated to treatment, and 63 mental health professionals (MHP). The data analysis followed thematic analysis. Results Patients and experts both emphasized the importance of treating patients with respect by taking a humanistic approach, that is, condemn the deeds but embrace the person and display genuine interest in supporting patients with any issue or concern that is of relevance to them. Furthermore, interviewees underscored that the coerciveness of the therapy context required to incorporate patients’ wishes into treatment planning, recognize and respond to the patients’ needs, and allow some choice within the given framework. Such inclusive attitude was deemed critical to engage and motivate patients to participate in treatment. In addition, it was emphasized that feedback and advice by the therapists need to be concrete, detailed and applied to each person’s current situation. Lastly, patients questioned MHP’s qualification when they did not progress in therapy. Discussion Our findings indicate that some therapist-related activities and characteristics are of particular importance in court-mandated settings. These include genuine interest in the patient, a respectful and positive attitude, as well as the capacity to target sensitive issues in a directive but non-confrontational manner. Further research needs to identify specific expressions and behaviors that are linked to the aforementioned characteristics in the forensic context. Our study therefore contributes to much-needed empirical research on clinician and patient perspectives on therapist characteristics and activities in the treatment of court-mandated patients.

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Therapist-Related Factors in Correctional Treatment

Cited by 5 publications

References 61 publications

Court-Mandated Patients’ Perspectives on the Psychotherapist’s Dual Loyalty Conflict – Between Ally and Enemy

Court-Mandated Patients’ Perspectives on the Psychotherapist’s Dual Loyalty Conflict – Between Ally and Enemy

The Experience of Working With Individuals Who Sexually Offend

What characterizes a good mental health professional in court-mandated treatment settings?: Findings from a qualitative study with older patients and mental health care professionals

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