Stepping Stones – a group therapy programme for the treatment of emotion regulation difficulties in offenders with an intellectual disability
Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour
ISSN: 2042-0927
Article publication date: 10 October 2011
Abstract
Purpose
The current paper aims to provide an overview of the Stepping Stones Group Therapy Programme. Stepping Stones is an innovative 42‐week programme that comprehensively addresses the emotion regulation needs of offenders with an intellectual disability.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper discusses the process of implementing a group treatment programme in a secure forensic intellectual disability service.
Findings
Since the inception of the programme, there has been a reduction in both the frequency of aggression and the need for physical and chemical de‐escalation. In addition, clients have demonstrated a greater understanding of their emotional responses and an improved ability to use functional means of managing distress and solving life problems.
Originality/value
This paper shows that, although implementing group therapy programmes for clients with intellectual disabilities and co‐morbid emotion regulation difficulties can be daunting, treatment with this group of clients can be successful and rewarding.
Keywords
Citation
Oxnam, P. and Gardner, E. (2011), "Stepping Stones – a group therapy programme for the treatment of emotion regulation difficulties in offenders with an intellectual disability", Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. 2 No. 4, pp. 146-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/20420921111207828
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited