An analysis of programs and practices in CrimeSolutions.gov finds that cognitive behavioral therapy can deter crime, assist victims and prevent recidivism.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a problem-focused, therapeutic approach that attempts to help people identify and change dysfunctional beliefs, thoughts, and patterns of behavior that contribute to their problem behaviors.

The foundations, program development and implementation, program models, and research and evaluation regarding successful cognitive behavioral interventions are explained.

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is touted as the predominant approach in sex offender-specific group treatment, a review of the field shows that the “behavioral” part of CBT has become minimal in relation to that which is cognitive.

Effective treatments for juvenile sexual offenders are needed to reduce the societal impact of sexual crimes. The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical literature on treatments for this clinical population.

The goal of the present study was to examine the effect of two cognitive behavioral therapy programs on recidivism in a sample of chronic youthful offenders (N = 156) and to evaluate the relationship between commonly identified recidivism risk factors (i.e., prior criminal charges, parental history of criminal behavior, gang involvement, mental health diagnoses, and number of probation violations) and re-offending.

Using secondary data analysis, the present study evaluates a cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] program, Reasoning and Rehabilitation, which the state of Colorado implemented in 1995 among juveniles on intensive probation.

Multiple reviews and meta-analyses with general offender samples have demonstrated that the interventions that are most likely to reduce recidivism are those that meaningfully engage higher risk offenders in the process of changing their criminogenic needs (or criminogenic factors) …

This overview provides decision-makers in the SOT field with an accessible, good quality synthesis of the best evidence available on the effectiveness of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy delivered within programs to reduce recidivism among convicted adult male sex offenders.

In general, the most promising sexual offender treatment programs aim to change cognitive, attitudinal, affective, and behavioral patterns associated with sexual aggression, introduce adaptive patterns, and inculcate the skills necessary to manage the dynamic risk factors associated with recidivism risk.