Cognitive analytic therapy for offenders

Abstract

Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) has emerged as an innovative form of integrative psychotherapy, which has yielded promising outcomes for several clinical populations. Recently, CAT reformulations and interventions have been applied in the management of forensic patients (Pollock and Kear-Colwell, 1994; Pollock, 1995, 1996, 1997a). The present paper describes two illustrative case-studies to demonstrate the use of CAT as a theoretical basis and treatment framework for interventions with offenders and to highlight the attributes of this form of psychotherapy. Specific clinical issues are emphasized, including: (1) the use of CAT language and concepts to provide an understanding of the offender's representation of his or her relation to the victim; (2) the linking of sequential patterns (termed reciprocal role procedures, dilemmas, traps and snags) to understand the offender's motivations for committing the offence; and (3) the usefulness of CAT interventions, which help to focus and direct clinical input and behavioural management in such cases. Limitations of CAT with forensic patients are discussed and the potential of CAT as a psycho-therapeutic model is considered.

Key Words:

• cognitive analytic therapy
• offenders
• psychotherapy
• management