Matching Treatment by Offender Type and Therapist Style

The general question of what works in offender treatment has led to numerous research studies, reviews of the literature, and clinical reflection. Over time, interventions have been modified and enhanced to increase effectiveness. Various meta-analyses have been conducted that have evidenced that certain types of treatment are more effective than others. Currently, more complex questions are being explored; that is, what types of intervention are more effective, under what circumstances, and with whom?

Both the general clinical literature and offender literature have explored specific factors that are thought to impact treatment effectiveness. There are a wide range of issues to explore, including therapist factors, client factors, treatment orientation (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], psychodynamic, interpersonal), group versus individual intervention, as well as factors completely external to ...