Therapeutic Approach: A Case Study

This report evaluates the specific challenges and issues that could possibly be faced when implementing therapeutic interventions in a young offenders’ institute with age being of crucial importance. The therapeutic approaches and their application in the work with young offenders is discussed, which include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness/DBT, a Systemic approach and an attachment-based approach to show potential challenges, as well as the benefits of offering therapy. The issues involved with working Therapeuticly with people who self-harm, are suicidal and/or victims of childhood abuse will be examined to show why they may not respond to therapy. The recommendation of this report is that a systemic approach would be the most
Additionally, the impact wider society has on the individual’s well-being and distress. Therefore, this approach believes distress is not developed within the individual but rather in relationships, interactions and language which emerge with individuals in their social systems. Key ideas of a systemic approach are circularity which is being stuck in repeating stress-causing patterns. For example, a person withdraws when someone shouts at them, this makes the person shouting shout more because the person is withdrawing, and the cycle continues. Therefore, changing one part of the cycle can affect the sequence. Constructivism is the understanding that every person has their own beliefs, assumptions and view of the world. This approach looks at exploring the different meanings and beliefs held by others. Additionally, problems are interpersonal or at the social level rather than being intrapersonal. Also, perceptions are not just formed by family and social interactions, they are shaped by social norms. This approach also focuses on strengths and resources so that there is a shift away from problems to possible solutions. This can have a positive influence even with destructive behaviour (Vossler, Squire and Bingham, 2017). Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) is a systemic approach which is advantageous for young people in a community setting. As young people are embedded in social systems and the behaviour they display is a collaboration of their involvement within it. Parents/caregivers reactions to the child’s behaviour is also part of the social system or norms which influence how they respond to their child. This therapy would beneficial to young offender as the estimate is 72% of forensic service users have regular contact with family members. This therapy would help with the