Choice in the Therapeutic Treatment of Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

"This paper is an introduction to a clinical (psychotherapeutic) process in which juvenile offenders are given the opportunity to choose self-governance; that is, to develop empathy for others and self-consciousness in making choices in their social worlds. I define such a process as therapeutic to distinguish it from the standard treatment of juvenile offenders that relies on punitive, counter therapeutic treatment and also from 'mental health' approaches that do not confront the offender with his criminal behaviors in the community. These approaches do not deter offenders from continuing on their criminal careers."