Class Psychological Intervention with Aggressors

This CU aims to develop students' skills in forensic psychological assessment and intervention with offenders.

CP1. The process of psychological intervention with offenders

1.1. Principles of effective interventions in working with offenders

1.2. Specificities and ethical, evaluation, and formulation issues in intervention with juvenile and adult offenders

1.3. Psychological intervention with aggressors in the juvenile and adult justice system

CP2. Modalities of psychological intervention with offenders

2.1. Individual and group intervention with offenders

2.1.1. Motivational interview

2.1.2. Cognitive-behavioral intervention (first, second and third generation)

2.1.3. Structured intervention programs and their effectiveness

CP3. Intervention in specific offenders’ populations

3.1. Juvenile and adult offenders

3.1.1. Intimate partner violence perpetrators

3.1.2. Sexual offenders

3.1.3. Offenders with psychopathic traits

The syllabus will be taught through the use of a diversity of methodologies, namely: exposition moments (TM1), interactive dialogue (TM2), small group activities in the classroom (TM3), application of exercises (TM4), peer-to-peer discussion (TM5) and feedback by the lecturer (TM6).

The evaluation will be carried out through the following modalities, chosen by the students:

- Continuous assessment: Written test (40%) and a group written report (30%) consisting in case conceptualization and intervention protocol with an offender, with the respective oral presentation (20%) and demonstration of the application of an intervention strategy/session in a role-play exercise (10%). The final weighted average of the evaluation elements must be equal to or greater than 10 for approval in the CU.

- Final Assessment: Written exam (100%).

Barroso, & D. Neto (Eds.), A Prática Profissional da Psicologia na Justiça. Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses

Beech, A. & Craig, L. (2009). Assessment and treatment of sex offenders: A handbook. Wiley-Blacwell.

Brazão, N., da Motta, C., & Rijo, D. (2013). From multimodal programs to a new cognitive-interpersonal approach in the rehabilitation of offenders. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18, 636-643.

Gilbert, P. & Simos, G. (Eds.) (2022). Compassion Focused Therapy: Clinical practice and applications. Routledge.

Miller, W. & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change. Guilford Press.

Rijo, D., Brazão, N., Ribeiro da Silva, D. & Vagos, P. (2017). Intervenção psicológica com jovens agressores. PACTOR.

Tafrate, R. C. & Mitchell, D. (2014). Forensic CBT: A handbook for clinical practice. Wiley Blackwell.

Young, J., Klosko, J. & Weishaar, M. (2003). Schema Focused Therapy: A practitioner’s guide. The Guilford Press.