Action-Oriented Strategies With Violent Juvenile Offenders (From Violent Juvenile Offenders - An Anthology, P 297-309, 1984, Robert A Mathias et al, ed. - See NCJ-95108)

• NCJ Number: 95176
• Author(s): K J Goldberg
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; University of Virginia
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-95108.

Annotation

Psychotherapy with violent juvenile offenders has remained primarily a verbal exercise that has not assimilated the more action-oriented techniques derived from the recent development of more cognitive, reality-oriented strategies.

Abstract

Action-oriented techniques can both cement the therapeutic alliance and, during the course of therapy, be useful for introducing material. Project Phoenix, which uses these practical strategies, serves violent juvenile offenders who are mainly urban youth with histories of poor academic performance, gang affiliation, and fragmented or dysfunctional families. The therapist functions as an advocate for specific purposes directly related to the youth's therapy. The therapist also fosters positive transference by serving as a role model. The practical strategies center around daily activities related to primary needs (food, laundry,etc.). Games, outings, walks, sports, and tangible rewards following stressful evaluations or on special occasions are some of the techniques used. Most of the youths in project Phoenix have lacked positive experiences. Therapists must recognize that psychopathology, sociopathy, and deviance are social as well as psychological problems. Therapy should be interesting to the youth and individually tailored to produce a strong relationship between the therapist and the violent juvenile offender. Two references are listed.