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I think Lorna's reply is a very good one and suggest that non-judgemental
positive regard is essential although this may and can take time to achieve.
Being honest within ourselves and with our colleagues and patients about
this process is also a must.
My own feeling is that this can be achieved and patients in forensic
services can work out whom to trust and who are honest. I once communicated
to a patient that his threatening behaviour made me feel very frightened but
wanted to continue working with him in the kitchen as it was obvious the
benefit it derived from OT (this was following a lengthy debate in an MDT
meeting who initially wanted to suspend his occupational therapy
intervention). I asked him if he could think of a way we could continue his
cooking sessions-after shouting at me initially and walking out of the
session-he returned an hour later with his own graded/adapted treatment
activity programme. We managed to continue working togther for a few weeks
until his difficulties subsided and he said that valued and appreciated that
OT intervention had continued. I expect that there will many OT's out there
who could give you similar examples of how one of our basic philosophies can
be applied in the forensic setting.

Good luck with your project

Jane


-----Original Message-----
From: Lorna Couldrick [mailto:couldric@...]
Sent: 10 January 2005 21:18
To: forensic_occupational_therapy@...
Subject: Re: [forensic_occupational_therapy] Digest Number 256



There is a brief reference to non-judgmental positive regard (one of the
three core conditions of any helping relationship, as espoused by Carl
Rogers) in the book 'Forensic Occupational Therapy' edited by Debbie Alred
and myself (see page 16). Several authors in the book write about the
development of a therapeutic relationship (see Eddie Duncan p203). For Carl
Rogers achieving a therapeutic relationship requires the 3 core conditions.

I would argue that these core conditions together (that is, including
empathy and congruence) provides a powerful therapeutic tool in working with
mentally disordered offenders. To feel understood, and valued provides a
sound base from which any individual may risk positive personal change. It
is a goal to strive for but it is not always easy to achieve in forensic
services. To a greater or lesser extent I believe you have to separate the
behaviour from the person (and thus the offence from the individual). So I
can try and stand in someone's shoes, respect them as a human being but I do
not have to like what they have done. My goal is to understand why they did
it: to be so empathetically aware I can comprehend their behaviour.
Congruence demands our authenticity with the client. Therefore we cannot
pretend or play act non-judgmental positive regard. We must communicate at
all times honestly. So non-judgmental positive regard is difficult but
desirable. I also think it is easier to achieve for those who have
undertaken their own psychotherapeutic journey. It is in exploring the
darker recesses of ourselves that enables us to empathise with the patient.
Hope this may be of some help.

Good wishes,

Lorna
----- Original Message -----
From: <forensic_occupational_therapy@...>
To: <forensic_occupational_therapy@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 1:50 PM
Subject: [forensic_occupational_therapy] Digest Number 256


>
> There is 1 message in this issue.
>
> Topics in this digest:
>
> 1. unconditional positive regard
> From: "bealbecky2000" <bealbecky2000@...>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> __
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2005 18:44:48 -0000
> From: "bealbecky2000" <bealbecky2000@...>
> Subject: unconditional positive regard
>
>
> hi just joined the group so i hope this works?!
>
> i am a 2nd year OT student and am currently researching for a project
> debating whether it is possible to have unconditional positive regard
> towards a client within a secure setting. I am trying to gather
> information regarding peoples views about this on a personal basis and
> professional basis both in the field of OT and the wider context.
>
> If anyone has any views or know of any good books on this subject or
> even have some experiences you could share with me i would appreciate
> it.
>
> Becky
>
>
>
>
>
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