Object relations and transference in the group treatment of incest offenders

After reviewing the literature on sex offenders-a literature largely devoted to behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and relapse-prevention approaches to treatment-the author proposes that an object-relational group psychotherapy treatment has a great deal to offer in the treatment of incest offenders. The author describes the parameters that distinguish group treatment of incest offenders from other object-relational group treatments. These parameters are largely related to the legally mandated nature of the treatment. The reality of enforced treatment and the very real influence treaters have on the lives of their patients supports a particular and salient transferential experience of the therapist as an authority figure who is generally also seen as harsh and arbitrary. Clinical case material clarifies how both overidentification with, and avoidance of, this authority figure role can derail treatment. The author concludes that there is potential for exploiting the reality-based treatment parameters with this population to help develop a treatment alliance that can be a powerful and effective treatment tool.