Abstract

Summary

Ole Greger Lillevik & Lisa Øien

Therapeutic practice in the prevention of violence

With this article we aim to highlight and develop concepts that describe milieu therapy in the prevention of violence. We conducted six semistructured individual interviews and one focus group interview with the staff in child welfare institutions. The transcribed material is analysed using a threestage structure analysis. The employee, regarded by colleagues and employer as good at preventing violence in situations in which the youngsters act threateningly and aggressively, seems to be able to detect frustration and aggression building up at an early stage. They are therefore able to intervene at an early stage of frustration. They provide alternative ways out of aggression and give the youth an opportunity to learn from previous behaviour by talking about incidences after they have occurred. Based on the analysis, we have developed three concepts that represent the major findings: (1) environmental sensitivity, (2) direction advice and (3) situation validation. The study also shows how the approaches are used at different stages of aggression in the adolescent.