ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a strengths-focused perspective on exploring a client's past, before examining how poor attachment and trauma issues can be seen in the early lives of many individuals who have sexually offended. At the start of counselling, the client usually informs the counsellor of his sexual offending behaviour, alleged behaviour or fears about committing a sexual offence. In the light of all the research data indicating how a person's past is linked to adult functioning, exploration of a client's childhood can be an important part of providing counselling to a person with sexual offending problems. The therapeutic relationship itself can also be a focus for life story patterns which can re-emerge through the dynamics between counsellor and client. Life story work can focus on exceptions to problems, illuminating and honouring times of coping, pro-social behaviour, and success, whilst extracting constructive learning from negatives.
