NCJ Number
78172
Journal
Praxis der Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik Volume: 24 Issue: 5 Dated: (1979) Pages: 237-246
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The basic principles of social therapy and possibilities for realizing social therapy in West Germany are discussed.
Abstract
Social therapy seeks to help offender-clients overcome real problems in personal and social relationships by modifying chronic conditioned reactions. Psychosocial treatment is administered by an interdisciplinary team and uses methods of social assistance. The specific methods employed depend on the makeup of the treatment team and on the individual needs of clients. Therapy can take place in special clinics or in open or half-open institutions. Social therapy during imprisonment is only feasible when there is at least a minimum of therapeutic environment and participation is voluntary. Whatever the setting, therapists must first concentrate on motivating patients. For successful treatment, therapists must accept patients and their tolerance levels, form relationships with clients and groups of clients, and possess experience and training. Possiblities for supervision and followup treatment must be available, and the system must be supported by the courts and appropriate legislation. Effective work teams require coordination, good lines of communication, and secure therapist identities. Principal team disturbances derive from excessively symbiotic or completely fragmented team relationships. The prospects of social therapy depend on the methods used, the expertise of treatment team members, and the accuracy of views on the goals of psychosocial treatment. In the Netherlands, social therapy has produced favorable results in reducing the recidivism rates of the most difficult delinquents to under 40 percent. Such success can also be achieved in Germany if experienced treatment teams and treatment institutions are available and if laws provide for social therapy efforts. A 28-item bibliography is supplied.