Chapter 16 - Schema Therapy for Forensic Populations

Summary

Research has shown a high prevalence of Cluster B personality disorders (e.g., borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial) in forensic populations, and the relationship between these traits and corresponding schema modes. Coping modes such as the Self-Soother, Detached Protector, and Self-Aggrandiser were relevant to these populations but could not fully explain a wider range of forensic risk behaviour seen in the forensic system among offenders. This led to an expansion of the schema therapy mode conceptualisation to include the following hypothesised modes commonly seen among offenders: Bully and Attack mode, Paranoid Overcontroller mode, Conning Manipulator mode, and Predator mode. The forensic schema therapy model described in this chapter provides a framework for understanding and ultimately treating forensic risk behaviour through the concept of schema modes which represent distinct ‘pathways to offending’, internal vulnerability risk factors for offending behaviour. Several treatment considerations are described for the application of schema therapy to the forensic context.