Who am I & Why am I in Treatment?
by Robert E. Longo with Laren Bays & Steven Sawyer

Clinicians who treat those who have sexually abused often find that these clients are unprepared for the therapeutic process. Such clients sometimes have little to no understanding of what therapy entails, what will be expected of them, or how to begin exploring their thoughts and feelings to gain insights that can lead to change.

This is the goal of this first book in the Paths to Wellness workbook series: to prepare offenders to maximize the benefits of their treatment. The series is written by three clinicians with extensive experience working with people who have sexually offended. The workbooks are written in a direct communication style, speaking to the reader as "you" and providing guidance, assignments, and exercises for the client to complete as part of their treatment process.

Each chapter ends with assignments to help clients explore the lessons of the chapter. Clients are encouraged to use a notebook to write down their answers to the many questions they are asked, answers that can serve as discussion starters during therapy (individual, family, or group settings). These questions provide clients with opportunities to reflect on their lives, build empathy for others, and see the progress they have made over time.

A Humanistic, Cognitive-Behavioral Approach

The chapters help to build insight by employing ideas from cognitive behavioral theory.  Thus, they are introduced to the idea that thoughts can lead to negative emotions and behaviors. Readers are taught how to recognize these problematic thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns and how they may occur in high-risk situations and lead to relapse. A strong focus on helping clients understand abuse cycles and the effects of childhood abuse, while also emphasizing accountability and responsibility.  The tone balances being direct about the seriousness of sexual crimes while also offering hope that the offender can change if they invest in the hard work of treatment and self-reflection that the workbook guides them through.

Who Am I and Why Am I in Treatment? is Book 1 of the Paths to Wellness series. The following workbooks are aimed at helping your clients understand and build empathy toward others, and at understanding the kinds of cycles that might lead to a repeat of abuses.  Together, these books form an integral part of treatment with adults who commit sexual offenses.