Opening up while locked down: Client disclosure in correctional settings

Abstract

Incarcerated individuals experience mental health symptoms resulting from the stress of incarceration, as well as from prior histories of trauma. In addition, the growth of the prison population and the increase in sentence lengths have eroded conditions in correctional facilities, leading to increased stress, trauma, and other mental health issues. Psychologists can help incarcerated individuals address existing mental health issues, cope with the trauma of incarceration, and prepare for successful re‐entry into society. However, the effectiveness of psychotherapy may be hampered by a number of factors that inhibit client disclosure in correctional settings. Based on interviews with forensic psychologists and an incarcerated patient, this paper explores the circumstances that prevent disclosure in correctional settings and proposes recommendations for psychologists to facilitate disclosure to improve therapeutic effectiveness.

Psychotherapy with clients who are incarcerated: Therapists’ multicultural orientation, alliance, and outcomes.

“…For incarcerated individuals, activities of daily living, as well as mental health services, occur within the contexts of confinement, subordination, disenfranchisement, and dehumanization among other uniquely detrimental features associated with the corrections setting (Antonio & Price, 2021; Bloom & Bradshaw, 2022; Ort, 2020). Consideration for the therapy setting is important, as expressions of humility have been observed to carry different meanings and interpretations based on relational dynamics and contexts (Antonio & Price, 2021; Exline & Geyer, 2004; J.…”

“…Given the intersecting cultural identities and cultural experiences for many individuals who are incarcerated, therapists in correctional facilities should consider the larger systemic issues of oppression and discrimination in guiding their treatments (Gafford et al, 2022). More broadly, treatments that are oriented toward client cultural identities, cultural values, and worldviews are positively associated with treatment outcomes (American Psychological Association, 2017; Captari et al, 2018; Cardemil, 2010; Davis et al, 2018; Hall et al, 2016; Huey et al, 2014; Ort, 2020; Soto et al, 2018; Sue et al, 1982; Whaley & Davis, 2007). However, less is known about how cultural processes influence mental health treatment within correctional settings, especially within psychotherapy.…”