Adolescent stealing treated with motivational interviewing and imaginal desensitization — Case report

Grant, Jon E. and Odlaug, Brian L. and Donahue, Christopher B. (2012) Adolescent stealing treated with motivational interviewing and imaginal desensitization — Case report. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 1 (4). pp. 191-192. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background: Adolescent shoplifting occurs in an estimated 15% of the United States population. Although adolescent stealing is associated with significant psychosocial consequences there is limited research concerning efficacious treatments. Case study: A 17-year-old male with a history of compulsive stealing was treated using a six-session, individualized cognitive-behavioral therapy protocol which included motivational interviewing, psycho-education, behavioral modification, and an exposure script using imaginal desensitization. After the six-session therapy, the patient continued for eight further sessions of therapy to maintain treatment gains. His Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores dropped from a 22 pre-treatment to a 3 at the end of the 14 sessions of therapy and he remained abstinent from stealing. Discussion: This case reports on the successful use of an individualized, cognitive behavioral therapy on an adolescent with compulsive shoplifting and other antisocial behaviors. This treatment provides a promising step towards the treatment of a relatively common adolescent behavior.

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