Re:What to do about Shoplifting

It seems to me that the first step in treating shoplifting from a cognitive approach is to have the individual monitor his thoughts before, during and after the behavior. There is always a thought or belief that makes the shoplifting action necessary and important. Without this thought the behavior would not occur. Even when the action appears spontaneous, there is a "lead to" thought that can and needs to be uncovered. There is almost always a thought that rationalizes or justifies the action.

The second step is to have the individual understand that it is these thoughts that make the shoplifting act inevitable. This helps the individual see that he/she is responsible for the action and can change it.

The third step is to identify thoughts and beliefs that challenge and counter the thoughts leading to the problem behavior.

The 4th step is to practice the new, alternative thoughts and beliefs. I find the visualization technique first developed by Maxie Maultsby but I believe used by many cognitive therapists. This would entail imagining going into a store, visualizing thinking the new alternative thoughts and then visualizing oneself doing an alternative behavior such as picking out what one needs to buy and then buying it.

The individual's thoughts make the action necessary and important and often these can override the thoughts of consequences. We have to understand also that a shoplifter gets a "high" or excitement from stealing that is addictive. That is why practice will be very important.

What I don't understand is why this approach is not the first used by cognitive therapists.

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