Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches

Cognitive-behavioural approaches are methods of identifying and challenging negative thinking styles (e.g. attitudes and assumptions) that can have a harmful impact on behaviours. These approaches are based on the idea that thoughts have a strong impact on feelings and behaviours, independent of external influences or circumstances. An effective cognitive-behavioural intervention can have the benefit of changing the way in which a person thinks, and consequently helping them to feel/act in a better manner despite any external factors.

In the criminal justice field, cognitive-behavioural approaches to working with offenders are perhaps most commonly thought of in relation to accredited programmes for offenders, e.g. the Community Sex Offender Groupwork Programme currently being used in Scotland and work done by the Drug Courts), but it is possible for a cognitive-behavioural element to be a factor in all offender interventions. Of course, such approaches are not limited to work with offenders, and have been effectively used in the treatment of anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders and addictions, as well as in working with victims of crime.  

Given the enormous range of possible uses for cognitive-behavioural approaches it would be difficult to cover all of them here.  Further information can always be obtained from CJSW staff, who at the very least will be able to refer you to someone with specific knowledge of your area of interest.  Literature referring to cognitive-behavioural work with offenders is spread across a broad spectrum of journals, books etc. in different topic areas and so, again, recommendations are difficult.  A number of articles can be found on our website however, using the ‘Advanced Search’ feature in the publications section.  Otherwise, it is generally best to begin with one of the freely-available online literature databases, which can be searched for particular topics; you can find a list of the most relevant databases here.  Should you identify any material you feel would be of use to you, it is possible that the Centre will be able to assist you in obtaining access to this.

Examples of journals that often contain material relevant to cognitive-behavioural approaches include: 

This journal is published bi-monthly and has been in existence for over 50 years. As with many journals online, this particular publication provides free access to a sample issue, and this can be found at the link above.

Published quarterly on behalf of The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

The Centre holds a small number of books on cognitive-behavioural approaches, details of which can be found here.