Prospect of using schema therapy in working with sex offenders

The search for effective methods of treating sex offenders is essential in order to reduce the risk of their subsequent sexual offences. This article presents Jeffrey Young's concept of Schema Therapy with a discussion on the appropriateness of its use in the treatment of those who engage in problematic sexual behaviour directed against sexual freedom. Such behaviours are prohibited by law and are connected to committing crimes set out in Chapter XXV of the Penal Code (including rape, exploitation of helplessness, abuse of dependence relation, sexual act with a minor under 15 years of age). The article presents the main assumptions of schema therapy. Then, with reference to the main assumptions of this therapeutic approach, a theoretical model of schema therapy in the context of violent sexual behaviour is proposed and discussed. The authors also attempted to analyze the mechanism of formation and perpetuation of deviant criminal behaviors in the context of key constructs of this approach, such as: early maladaptive schemas, schema modes, and coping styles. As Schema Therapy has proven to be effective in treating chronic personality aspects of disorders, often underlying the sexual pathology of the sex offenders, this approach seems to be a promising trend for such a difficult population of people.