Milieu therapy with the adolescent sociopath

This paper defines sociopathy, presents current research experimentation being conducted and findings as to its causes and treatment. Also presented is a description of a milieu therapy program for the adolescent sociopath. Both preventive and active treatment methods in this program are discussed. The value of the milieu therapy approach is shown in its attempt to keep the adolescent sociopath engaged in constructive activities and relationships in order to overcome antisocial behavior patterns. With the failure of individual therapy alone to reinforce normal living patterns and overcome lack of socialization functions in the adolescent sociopath, a more comprehensive and effective approach is required. Such an approach is described in which the following are stressed: 1) prevention of incarceration, 2) prevention of rejection by parents, peers and teachers, 3) active treatment of hyperkinesis and specific learning disabilities, 4) utilization of "sponsors," and 5) multiple therapist (family, group, individual) programs.