Exploring The Theoretical Foundations Of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy In The Criminal Justice System

Szifris, Kirstine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5279-8072, Roberts, Anton ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-5786, Maruna, Shadd and Fox, Christopher ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1931-2058 (2024) Exploring The Theoretical Foundations Of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy In The Criminal Justice System. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice. ISSN 2059-1098 (In Press)

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Abstract

As the most common framework for rehabilitation internationally, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been the subject of an enormous amount of evaluation research assessing its effectiveness. Drawing on the philosophical methodology of ‘provocation’ in a series of dialogue-based workshops with CBT experts, this paper assesses whether CBT is a theoretically coherent approach for rehabilitation in criminal justice. With a focus on underlying theory, we outline four key ‘adaptations’ of CBT that we argue represent a systematic shift away from the original ideas of CBT. We conclude that, whilst drift and adaptation can be expected in any large-scale intervention, theoretical drift has occurred without sufficient interrogation of the the consequences. More specifically, in the case of CBT as practiced in justice systems today, the basic premise of how CBT works is called into question, threatening its potential value.