Perception of Juvenile Delinquents of Group Therapy Approaches

Abstract

The present study focuses on juvenile delinquents’ perception of two procedures used in group therapy. Eleven juvenile delinquents, participants of a probation program, were asked to share their experience with group therapy. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the interviews with the participants, the specifics of verbal and action procedures were examined. Verbal procedures offer clients a greater opportunity for emotional experience and subsequent cognitive processing of the experience leading to personal growth. The action procedures are, in contrast, a way of deepening the client’s contact with other group members. They enable subjects to relax by helping them distance themselves from everyday problems.