Experience of clinicians who provide therapeutic interventions to youth with involvement in the juvenile justice system

Youth in the U.S. have an astounding amount of contact with the juvenile justice system. Statistics in this area highlight the need for effective interventions to prevent delinquency and reduce the potential for recidivism in this population. Research literature on juveniles is focused primarily on the efficacy of specific interventions conducted in controlled trials. A gap exists between our understanding of treatment of juveniles, and the real-world application of treatment. A comprehensive understanding of treatment requires both an examination of the treatment process, and a thorough assessment of treatment outcomes. Clinicians play a major role in the delivery of treatments and are at the forefront of efforts to implement effective practice. This qualitative study explored the experiences of clinicians conducting therapy with youth who are or have been involved in the juvenile justice system. Although essential to a rich understanding of intervention efforts within the field of juvenile justice, the clinician perspective on treatment of this population remains unexplored. The goal of this study was to gather ethnographic information about the issues faced by clinicians who provide treatment in the community, in order to guide future research, policy, and practice that will better meet the needs of both clinicians and clients. Twelve clinicians were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, and themes from these responses were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. Themes present in participant responses included: (a) the qualities of clinicians who work with this population; (b) the experience of working within various justice system frameworks; (c) types of interventions used; (d) challenges regarding outcomes; and (e) the availability and use of training and literature. Also discussed were implications for the following areas: future research, clinical practice, training for clinicians, juvenile justice policy, and practices in institutions that house youth. The perspectives of study participants provided valuable insight to help guide clinicians, researchers, and policymakers invested in the juvenile justice field.Psy.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Robin Michelle Dea