Analysis Of Psychotherapy

A separate juvenile justice system was established in the United States with the goal of diverting youthful offenders from the destructive punishments of criminal courts and encouraging rehabilitation. More than 1 million American youth end up in juvenile court every year, and 160,000 of them are referred to residential placement (DeAngelis, 2011). Research shows that settings likes these (e.g. residential placement, detention centers, correctional institutions) produce higher rates of recidivism. However, an understanding of psychological explanation and perspectives have led to the growth of various training and counseling programs (Whitehead & Lab, 2013). Among treatment programs there exists two broad approaches–family and individual therapy. Research has shown that both family therapy and individual therapy have helped in reducing juvenile recidivism rates. So when asking the question–do juveniles who experience family based therapy display less recidivism rates than juveniles who experience individual therapy–we are left to conclude that both are equally significant in reducing recidivism. The family unit is seen as a key factor in the social development of children, adolescents, and young adults. Research has found that family functioning provides impact on family and school bonding, conduct disorder, choice in peers, and subsequent delinquency. Family dysfunction influences future delinquent and antisocial behavior. This dysfunction provides children with models and opportunities to engage in problematic behavior. Research suggests that improving family function should in return reduce the problematic behaviors in children and adolescents (Development Services, 2014). Therefore, family therapy attempts to solve identifying problems through a systematic approach. There are numerous practical reasons for getting families involved. The family is potentially the most reliable source of information about their child’s strength, needs, and experiences. With this in mind, families should be included in the process. More often than not, juveniles, following treatment, will return to their family of origin. Due to this inevitable transition, strategic and inclusive planning will help to decrease the chance of juvenile recidivism. Programs such as Functional Family Therapy or Multisystemic Therapy, focus on working with families and youth with severe emotional disturbance and histories of involvement with the juvenile justice system. These programs are cost effective and successful when compared to other approaches; however, there are few examples of family–focused models integrated into the juvenile justice system today (Garfinkel, 2010). Unfortunately, barriers have prevented family involvement. This has inevitably limited family based therapy, making it less likely to be utilized. According to Lili Garfinkel (2010), parents often receive little guidance as to how they can effectively participate in their child’s court appointed process. Garfinkel goes on to say that although many parents wish to participate, their ability is often challenged. Demographic data reveal that youth in the juvenile justice system are predominantly male, from a single–parent family, of low socioeconomic status, predominantly youth of color, with a high percentage having significant behavioral and cognitive needs. Additionally, research shows that many juveniles have a parent of relative who is, or has …show more content…
As mentioned previously, the study of psychotherapy encompasses a variety of theoretical approaches. Each form of therapy borrows elements from each other, while building upon new ideas and techniques to call their own. Psychotherapy is described as “A collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows [the client] to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental” (“Understanding Psychotherapy,” n.d.). Psychotherapy assists people in modifying their emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Among the variety of theoretical approaches cognitive–behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy, stands out in the criminal justice system the most. Cognitive–behavioral therapy is among the most promising rehabilitative treatments for both juvenile and criminal offenders. This form of therapy assumes that once thoughts and behaviors become conscious, people can make positive changes to them. In other words, cognitive deficits and distortions are learned rather than inherent. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be effective with juveniles, adults, substance abusers, violent offenders, probationers, prisoners, and parolees (Clark, 2010). It has been effective in various criminal justice settings and addresses a host of problems associated with criminal behavior. In most cognitive–behavioral therapy programs, offenders improve social skills, problem solving, critical reasoning, moral reasoning, self–control, impulse management, and self–efficacy (Clark,