Consensus approach towards identifying pertinent therapist characteristics in Good Lives Model treatment: a research portfolio
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Date
27/11/2015Author
Earley, Nick
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Abstract
Background: The Good Lives Model (GLM) is a novel strengths-based rehabilitation framework, the
principles of which are increasingly being integrated into sexual offender treatment programmes.
Previous research has suggested that positive therapist characteristics are empirically associated
with treatment change in sexual offender treatment. However, considering the theoretically
informed shift from a deficits-based approach to a strengths-based approach in GLM-consistent
treatment (GLM-CT), it is reasonable to suggest that therapist characteristics might be reflected
differently.
Objective: To explore and identify, by expert opinion, what therapist characteristics are important in
GLM-consistent treatment and how they might be recognised in a treatment session.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out to appraise the reporting quality of
studies that used the Delphi method to develop knowledge on psychotherapeutic models. The
empirical study used a three-round Delphi method, a structured consensus-gathering technique,
with 28 GLM experts from five different countries. The data in the first round were analysed using
content analysis, and data in subsequent round were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The systematic review found that the reporting quality in Delphi method studies was
respectable in relation to the preparatory stages; however, the reporting quality of aspects of the
Delphi methodology important for interpreting the results varied. In regards to the empirical paper,
experts endorsed 71 items reflecting the GLM ethos and principles in treatment, listed between
twelve categories.
Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested that therapeutic characteristics previously
identified in sexual offending treatment are indeed important in GLM-consistent treatment.
However, additional characteristics were highlighted as important by experts, including emphasis on
future-focused and strengths-based language, motivational interviewing skills, flexibility with session
material and a good knowledge of clients’ good lives plans. Finally, the results indicated that use of
self-disclosure and directiveness in GLM-CT might need to be elucidated in future research.