Applying the concept of reciprocal roles to relapse prevention with offenders: a cognitive analytic therapy informed approach
| Pages | 67-79 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-07-2015-0030 |
| Date | 14 March 2016 |
| Published date | 14 March 2016 |
| Author | Rachel Worthington |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology |
Applying the concept of reciprocal roles
to relapse prevention with offenders:
a cognitive analytic therapy
informed approach
Rachel Worthington
Rachel Worthington is based at
Department of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
informed reciprocal-role procedures could better inform relapse prevention planning for offenders in
treatment programmes.
Design/methodology/approach –The paper will explorethe literature in relation to the efficacy of traditional
victim empathy modules within accredited interventions as an intervention to reduce recidivism. Specifically,
the paper will argue that current methods of victim empathy can pose a risk of increasing risk factors
associated with recidivism and may be ineffective at reducing recidivism for certain clients.
Findings –Offender treatment using victim empathy could be more effectively utilised from a CAT informed
perspective. The paper will introduce “No more Victims”which is a newly designed module using a CAT
informed relapse prevention approach to assist offenders to consider the reciprocal roles which take them
closer to offending and how to exit these.
Research limitations/implications –This paper argues that standard victim empathy modules may be
difficult to accessfor some offenders and the validity of thisapproach in reducing recidivism is questionable.
However,considering the role of the victimwithin offending behaviourinterventions can be of valueand this can
be particularlyhelpful in terms of risk management and risk reduction. CAT informedapproaches such as the
“No more Victims”moduleprovide a method of exploringvictim issues in a waythat is responsive to the needs
of the offender and themodule can be used as an adjunct to cognitive behaviouraltherapy interventions. This
approach can also enhance victim safety planning and better inform risk managementplans for the offender
and those supervisingthem. It is suggested that this approach should be morewidely used in other forensic
interventionsto enable clients to have valuable insight intothe role they assume when offending and how the
risk of this being re-enacted in the future can be revised.
Originality/value –The paper will describe how consideration of reciprocal roles between the offender and
victim could better inform relapse prevention in offender treatment programmes. An example of a session
from the “No more Victims”module is provided.
Keywords Treatment, Offenders, Crime prevention and reduction, Victims, Risk, Evidence based practice,
Mental heath/disorders
Paper type Conceptual paper
Background –offender treatment and victim empathy
Accredited interventions for the treatment of offending are largely influenced by the “What
Works?”debate in terms of considering risk, need and responsivity in order to maximise the
effectiveness of treatment. In the criminal justice process, risk assessment is the process of
Received 22 July 2015
Revised 6 January 2016
Accepted 7 January 2016
DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-07-2015-0030 VOL. 2 NO. 1 2016, pp.67-79, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841
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JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
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