ABSTRACT

This is an example of cognitive therapy with a man with antisocial personality disorder. The personal details are disguised to protect the patient’s identity.

Jim, a 37-year-old single man, was referred to cognitive therapy from forensic services by his general practitioner, who had known him for around three years. He had been referred for an assessment of his aggressive behaviour and had a history of offending. He wanted help to control his aggression as this kept getting him into trouble. He had previously been in prison for drug dealing in his early thirties. He had a conviction for serious assault when he was in his mid to late twenties and served a brief prison sentence. After his assessment at forensic services, he was referred for an assessment of his suitability for cognitive therapy.