Interpersonal Relationship Relationships

7. Impact on interpersonal relationships and society

Working with sex offenders not only impacts therapists personally but can also have deleterious effects on their interpersonal relationships and with society itself. Results from numerous research studies showed the nature of the work had affected therapists’intimate relationships, resulting in a decline of sexual activity (Turner, 1992; Farrenkopf, 1992). Also, more than a third expressed concern over their change in behaviour with their own children, whereby they had limited their activities outside of the home and had become over-protective. Some had even reported feeling self-conscious about their behaviour with their children, and had limited physical contact, as they were concerned

Research has shown taking exercise, watching television or films, but avoiding content involving sexual abuse, relaxation, maintaining close relationships, engaging in social activities and a sense of humour are beneficial (Sholler Dreier & Wright, 2011; Scheela, 2001). Other eclectic coping strategies including diversifying work roles, increasing support systems and feeling supported by colleagues have also proved helpful (Farrenkopf, 1992; Lea et al., 1999; Ennis & Horne,

Supervision and consulting with peers serves to compensate for the feeling of pressure, isolation and alienation resulting from the stigma of working with sex offenders (Kadambi & Truscott, 2003) and provides an opportunity to express, process, and normalise responses of countertransference (Ennis & Horne, 2003; Nelson, Herlihy & Oescher, 2002). Research studies have indicated supervision increases self-confidence in relation to knowledge, skills and trust in the therapeutic process (Elias & Haj-Yahia, 2016) and help therapists to overcome the tension between professional and personal dilemmas (Lea et al., 1999). It is worth considering without adequate training and support there would be a likelihood of therapists being manipulated by clients (Spencer, 1999) or holding entrenched, but possibly incorrect beliefs about them which may hinder progress (Collins & Nee,