The Good Way model: A strengths-based approach for working with young people, especially those with intellectual difficulties, who have sexually abusive behaviour

Abstract

The Good Way model was originally developed for working with youth with intellectual difficulties who have sexually abused and is also now being used with adults with intellectual disabilities and non-disabled adolescents. The model is practical and has been developed to address the need for a common, coherent narrative with which clients and therapists can effectively discuss behaviour and experiences. It has been developed through a process of listening to the clients’ descriptions of their experiences and then adapting our conceptual framework accordingly. The model is essentially a strengths-based programme using a narrative therapy approach and incorporates relapse prevention. There are two streams to the model: the first (Good Way/Bad Way) focuses on the young person identifying their strengths and the components of their “Good Life”, developing an understanding of the consequences of their actions including their abusive behaviour, and developing their ability to choose the “Good Way”. The other stream (Good House/Bad House) deals with the young person's experience of loss and trauma, and assists them to develop an appreciation of the impact on others of their abusive behaviour and to take steps to repair relationships where possible. Current indications of success are shown by the young people and their families readily using the language, and applying the concepts to describe and monitor their behaviour. To date, none of the young people who have completed the programme are known to have sexually re-offended.

Keywords:

• Therapy
• strength-based
• narrative therapy
• youth
• adolescent
• intellectual disability
• sexual offending
• sexual abuse
• The Good Way model

Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the great support of WellStop in developing this model, in particular from our manager, Hamish Dixon. Lyn White, the WellStop Wellington Youth Team Coordinator, has also contributed ideas and helped considerably in the development and implementation of the model. We have also had a great deal of support from staff at the other New Zealand community-based sexual abuse treatment programmes, SAFE in Auckland and STOP in Christchurch. Ian Lambie, in particular, has always encouraged us.