Abstract:

Working with the sexualized child coping mode in forensic practice

A sexualized child coping mode is often seen in adults who have offended sexually against children (contact or non-contact offending) and forms a key part of their offending formulation. It develops as a coping response to their experiences of being a victim of childhood sexual trauma and often involves perceptions of their own sexual abuse as positive or neutral. This mode can often be challenging to relate to and work with for the therapist.

Examples of this mode, its presentations, functions and challenges for the therapist will be described.

Effective ways of relating to and working with this mode will be outlined, based on clinical examples within forensic practice.

The key principles to bear in mind when working with this mode will be discussed in relation to the wider therapeutic relationship and the aims of therapy for this client group (reduction in risk of sexual offending).

About the Presenter:

Lisa Wright

Dr. Lisa Wright is a Clinical Psychologist working for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trustin the North West of England and completed her Schema Therapy training over 10 years ago. Lisa has worked in secure hospitals, prisons and in the community and specialises in working with personality disorder, psychosis, trauma and various offending behaviours, using a range of therapeutic approaches. She currently manages a community forensic psychology service,which provides therapy aimedat reducing risk of sexual and violent offending/re-offendingand leads a new trauma focused therapy service across North West prisons. Schema Therapy and EMDR arecore componentsof these services and Lisa has developed the intervention programmesto include Schema Therapy approaches to formulating and changing offending behaviours as part of a wider risk reduction programme