Until now, writings on the good lives and self-regulation models
have not included a treatment manual of practical utility. For this
reason, The Self-Regulation Model of the Offense and Relapse Process,
Volume II will be of great interest to those working directly with
men who have sexually abused. Those at the front lines of treatment
will find this a very important “how-to” resource.
Tony Ward’s contributions to understanding sexual offenders
have gained currency in recent years. His works (most recently with
co-authors including Devon Polaschek, Tony Beech, Richard Laws, and
the late Stephen Hudson) are thoughtful, comprehensive, and have
brought the good lives and self-regulation models to a wider audience.
Although no brief description can adequately describe these models,
they hold that sexual offenders follow distinctly different pathways
to offense and relapse, and that treatment can be more successful
when it promotes goals that a person can work towards rather than
avoid.
The volume opens with a description of the good lives model, which
differentiates between the primary goods that all human beings seek
(such as knowledge, competence at play and work, autonomy, inner
peace, friendship, community, spirituality, happiness, and creativity)
and secondary goods (the means for attaining primary goods). The
good lives perspective emphasizes cohesive personal identity and
psychological well being, assuming that treatment is a value-laden
process that considers the characteristics of the offender and the
context in which he will live. A good-lives treatment plan therefore
includes these aspects.
The authors next discuss the self-regulation model, differentiating
four pathways to offense: avoidant-passive, avoidant-active, approach-automatic,
and approach-explicit. This model recognizes that some sexual offenders
have no desire to give up their offending and might abuse for very
different reasons than others. The authors devote one chapter to
each of these pathways and introduce a phase model for each. Tasks
include increasing the offender’s awareness of how he interprets
events based on core beliefs, determining exactly what he hopes to
achieve with his behavior, deciding which primary goods are most
relevant for him, and examining the means by which he has attempted
to meet them. Professionals can understand risk factors as misdirected
attempts to attain these goods (e.g., impulsivity can signal difficulties
in achieving autonomy). Treatment of skills deficits takes place
through rehearsal of cognitive and behavioral responses to events
that activate negative affect.
The self-regulation model is both familiar and challenging. The
authors note that many newcomers to the good lives model believe
they already focus on having offenders develop a better life for
themselves. However, this volume’s phase model goes well beyond
casting relapse prevention in a broader light. Each chapter provides
clinically meaningful tasks that respect each pathway’s differences.
There are brief sections addressing the context (prison or community)
in which treatment takes place as well as implications for supervision.
Following the introduction of phase-based treatment for each pathway,
subsequent chapters provide case examples for treatment for each
pathway. While some previous writings on the self-regulation model
have appeared more slanted towards those who have molested children,
this volume clearly addresses all who engage in sexual violence.
This volume is the first practical application of the good lives
and self-regulation models, and is therefore an important contribution
to the field. Written for treatment providers, it is an excellent
introduction to practical application these models. Because of its
place early in the evolution of these models, it therefore has a
number of shortcomings of which readers should be aware. For example,
while advocating a more holistic approach than was typical in the
past, the manual does not directly address other problems common
to the treatment of sexual offenders, such as psychiatric comorbidity
or adaptation for special populations (such as people with high levels
of psychopathy or low intelligence). In addition, because the manual’s
stated goal of treatment is to prevent reoffense, professionals collaborating
with outside agencies may note the absence of discussion on how treatment
might provide amends or assistance to victims. Many consider this
a core feature of sexual offender treatment; professionals addressing
family reconciliation and reunification may not find the specifics
they want in this text.
Deliberately designed for use in diverse settings, professionals
may face challenges in its application to some settings. Its emphasis
on respect for – and collaboration with – sexual offenders
may create problems for practitioners attempting to implement it
in settings that have traditionally used harsh and confrontational
approaches. It may well be that some professionals will have to work
with their administrations to tailor the culture of their settings
to support the guiding values of treatment within these models.
Although no newer model can be a panacea, this volume is clearly
an important new contribution for our field’s further exploration
and study. It is clear, well written, and will doubtless be an essential
guide to models that have emerged as important developments in recent
years. Like its companion volume (which focuses on assessment), it
provides a collaborative and comprehensive means of understanding
a population that lay people often find incomprehensible.