Voice of Violences Video Series

Abstract

BILL ROLLER, M.A., FAGPA The relative absence of live-to-camera, unscripted, spontaneous group therapy training videos for various theories and techniques is understandable. Few clinicians wish to expose themselves and their skills to the whims of chance or risk the criticisms of colleagues. This is somewhat ironic since the practice of group psychotherapy necessarily makes the mistakes of group leaders and co-leaders highly visible to patients. Such vulnerability marks the career of group psychotherapists. Those videos that have met this challenge have carved out a special niche in the educational video market. The producers of this video series, The Voices of Violence, are to be commended for showing even a small unscripted segment of therapists working with their group members. However, the group members and the context in which they are treated are not part of the typical practice of most group therapists. The videos present the therapeutic treatment of males incarcerated for the violent crimes of murder, rape, and aggravated battery in two different prisons, one in the United States, the other in England. The choice of presenting two different treatment programs is wise because it allows the viewer to compare and contrast the cognitive behavioral approach of the Resolve to Stop Violence Project in San Francisco jails with the psychodynamic approach of the Grendon Therapeutic Prison in Britain. Both programs use group therapy or group work as a fundamental element of education and treatment. Both tolerate