Understanding the Influence of Experiential Psychotherapy Among Men Who Have Offended: A Systematic Review.
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology June 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x261456565 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Adult males in forensic settings |
| Interventions | mindfulness-based interventions Acceptance and Commitment Therapy yoga meditation creative arts therapies Transcendental Meditation Compassion Focused Therapy |
| Keywords | Desistance Experiential psychotherapy Forensic psychology Justice-involved populations Prison mental health Rehabilitation Shame Trauma-informed care |
| Key findings | Experiential psychotherapies, particularly Transcendental Meditation and structured mindfulness, may reduce recidivism and improve emotional regulation and identity change among incarcerated men, though evidence for Compassion Focused Therapy and most creative arts therapies is limited. |
Abstract
High rates of recidivism persist among incarcerated men, particularly those with extensive trauma histories, while many rehabilitation programs remain primarily cognitively focused. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on experiential psychotherapies, including mindfulness-based interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), yoga, meditation, and creative arts therapies delivered in forensic settings to adult males. Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Thematic synthesis identified three outcome domains: (1) psychological and emotional well-being, including reductions in stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms; (2) behavioral and cognitive regulation, including improved impulse control and prosocial identity shifts; and (3) recidivism and desistance, with several studies-particularly those examining Transcendental Meditation and structured mindfulness programs-reporting reduced reoffending. Evidence for Compassion Focused Therapy and most creative arts therapies was limited or absent. Overall, findings suggest experiential psychotherapies may support emotional regulation, identity change, and desistance, though heterogeneity in study design and outcomes limits generalizability and highlights the need for more rigorous longitudinal research.