Treating the Antisocial: Confrontation or Provocation

Abstract

Discusses the many difficulties encountered in using conventional therapy modalities to treat resistent and antisocial patients. An approach, developed by S. Yochelson (The Criminal Personality, S. Yochelson and S. Samenow), emphasizes the therapist's stating to the antisocial person during the first interview, the thinking and behavior patterns found characteristic of antisocials. The therapist retains complete control of the interview, which is characterized by honesty, firmness, and directness. The power contest which often characterizes the more traditional confrontation approach used in some offender treatment programs is avoided, so that the therapeutic issues of substance emerge to be dealt with. The straightforward presentation by the therapist is described as an effective way to elicit the patient's cooperation. Some self-protective and precautionary devices are given. A case example illustrates the approach.