Working with offender populations: A framework for effective engagement and counselling
In providing counselling to offender populations, cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) is the model of choice, given the focus is on behaviour change and social skill development. Recent developments have incorporated mindfulness into a CBT framework, to raise awareness of what is occurring in the present moment by intentionally attending to and changing the relationship with, thoughts, feelings and sensations via non-judgmental observation.
For many practitioners, the key issue in working with this cohort lies with the decision about where to sit on the continuum between rehabilitation and criminal justice goalhile general counselling practices make the clients’ wellness the focus of the treatment process, within the forensic counselling sphere, the key goal in the treatment process becomes the protection of society and the client’s treatment goals must be pursued within this context.
While general counselling practices make the clients’ wellness the focus of the treatment process, within the forensic counselling sphere, the key goal in the treatment process becomes the protection of society and the client’s treatment goals must be pursued within this context. Research suggests practitioners who adopt the use of certain skills in their work with involuntary clients are more likely to achieve positive client outcomes.
Effective practice involves: clarification of the worker’s role; problem-solving that focuses on the client’s definition of the problem; the reinforcement of the client’s pro-social expression and actions, while at the same time making suitable use of confrontation; and finally making use of the above skills within a collaborative client/practitioner relationship.
