A quest for self‐soothing: A systematic case study into emotion‐focused therapy with an emotionally avoidant client who committed sexual offenses

Abstract

Objective The current study is part of a multiple case study that investigated the emotional change in individuals who have committed sexual offenses (ISOs). This case study highlights how one client used sex as a maladaptive coping strategy to suppress negative emotions. Method A mixed‐methods design was used to track changes in the client's affect regulation (AR) during four phases, including a baseline (Phase A), treatment as usual (Phase B), treatment with an emotion‐focused therapy (EFT) component added (Phase C), and follow up (Phase A). Results The qualitative description with verbatim clinical vignettes, revealed deeper insight into some important steps and hindrances and the impact of specific EFT‐interventions. Quantitative analysis of self‐report and observational measures showed a significant improvement in the client's AR across different phases of treatment. Conclusions The study improves our knowledge of the emotional change in ISOs during treatment and illustrates some key interventions, steps, and hindrances.