Tratamiento de un caso de pedofilia desde la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ATC)

Abstract

In this article we present a clinical case of paedophilia in which behavior (masturbation accompanied by certain mental content) had both positive and negative consequences for the client. Due to this conflict, when experiencing paedophile urges, the client attempted to control or avoid them, paradoxically making the problem worse, due to the additional negative consequences linked to the control efforts,as will be revealed through the functional analysis. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was used in order to break the vicious circle of struggle and rendition in relation to the paedophile behaviour, through the acceptance of private events, as acceptance serves other important actions. Finally, it is proposed that ACT shows potential for the treatment of this type of problems, as in this case it helped decrease subjective suffering in the client and facilitated behaviours consistent with his own personal values.