|
| |
This webpage presents key
information about the classic, 4-Day, in-his-office program that Dr. Cupchik has
been conducting -personally- for several years.
The new, Skype live and interactive
video-based program that Dr. Cupchik now offers, aims at providing essentially, but within some inherent limits,
quite similar
assessment and therapeutic benefits to his in-office 4-day Intensive program; the
latter is described below in detail.
|
THE
4-DAY INTENSIVE
INTERVENTION PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY DR. CUPCHIK
Over
two decades ago psychologist Dr. Will Cupchik and psychiatrist
Dr. Don Atcheson, at the time when both clinicians were on the
staff of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, Ontario,
introduced the term 'Atypical Theft Offender' into the
professional literature. This term was used to refer to those
usually honest and ethical individuals who find that they are
sometimes inclined to shoplift or commit other kinds of theft.
These frequently hard-working (and sometimes genuinely
religious) persons are virtually always at a loss to understand,
explain, or (perhaps even more importantly) stop their
atypical theft behavior. Unfortunately, as long as such
indiviuals are not clinically assessed and treated
correctly they often remain at serious risk of re-offending. Dr.
Cupchik's clinical investigations over the past narly three
decades indicate strongly that the label of 'kleptomania' is
very often -- and almost always wrongly -- applied to
these theft offenders, not only by many clinicians
(psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers), but by
defense and prosecuting attorneys, as well as the courts and
laypersons.
Dr.
Cupchik was principal the author of the ground-breaking article
entitled "Shoplifting: An Occasional Crime Of The Moral
Majority", published in 1983 in the professional
journal, the Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry
and the Law. Dr. Cupchik still personally conducts the
unique one-on-one 4-Day Intensive Intervention Program
that he initially developed and has continuously refined over
the past many years.
Four-day
'Intensives' are intended to assist participants to:
(1)
uncover the reasons behind their inappropriate theft behavior
(which is very frequently at odds with the more usual moral,
ethical and responsible ways in which they conduct their lives)
, and
(2)
assist these 'Atypical Theft Offenders' to curtail their
often career-sabotaging, relationship-stressing and reputation-
or even freedom-destroying behavior .
In his
book, WHY HONEST PEOPLE
SHOPLIFT OR COMMIT OTHER ACTS OF THEFT: The Assessment And
Treatment Of 'Atypical Theft Offenders', Dr. Cupchik
describes many of the approaches that he has developed and often
employs during the Intensive Intervention Program. Some 31
sample cases are described in the book, providing the
reader with a wide variety of examples of atypical theft
behavior. All attendees to the Program and any 'significant
others' accompanying them are strongly encouraged to read the
book prior to actually arriving for their Intensives. Currently,
all Intensives take place at Dr. Cupchik's office located at 250
St. Clair Avenue West, Suite G-3, Toronto, Ontario, a convenient
ten minute drive from a variety of major downtown hotels.
Most
Intensives begin on Sunday morning at 10:00 am and end on
Wednesday in the early afternoon. This scheduling allows
participants to arrive on a Saturday (thereby
Most
Intensives begin on Sunday morning at 10:00 am and end on
Wednesday in the early afternoon. This scheduling allows
participants to arrive on a Saturday (thereby
possibly
taking advantage
of lower airfare rates) and, in many cases, to return to
their homes by Wednesday evenings. However, in order to
accommodate different attendees' schedules, working situations,
and religious activities, Intensives may be scheduled to begin
on any day of the week (including Saturday) if arranged
sufficiently far enough in advance.
All
attendees receive, at no additional cost, a (usually 2-3 page)
letter summarizing areas that were addressed during the four day
Intensive as well as a list of specific recommendations for
further treatment/therapeutic work (if deemed desirable) that
the attendee may wish to pursue with his or her own, local
therapist.
All
attendees receive, at no additional cost, a (usually 2-3 page)
letter summarizing areas that were addressed during the four day
Intensive as well as a list of specific recommendations for
further treatment/therapeutic work (if deemed desirable) that
the attendee may wish to pursue with his or her own, local
therapist.
This
summary is in draft form only, and is definitely not to
be considered a formal Psychological Report. In some instances attendees
may request a subsequent
formal Psychological Report to assist the court in determining
more suitable disposition of the case.
PLEASE
NOTE: THE
PROFESSIONAL FEE FOR THIS 4-DAY PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY
$5995.--U.S., AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT
NOTICE UP TO THE DATE THAT A PARTICULAR INTENSIVE IS SCHEDULED.
Visitors
to this site may be interested in noting that Dr. Cupchik is
currently listed as a ' Professional Resource' on the SierraTucson.com
website. So far, attendees of Dr. Cupchik's Intensive program
have come from over twenty states in the USA.
PLEASE
NOTE: SINCE VISITORS TO THIS
SITE MAY INITIALLY ARRIVE AT ANY ONE OF THE WEB PAGES
CURRENTLY ON THE SITE, ALL THE SAME BASIC
INFORMATION THAT IS LIKELY TO BE OF INTRODUCTORY INTEREST TO
MOST VISITORS TO THIS WEB SITE APPEARS AT THE TOP OF EACH WEB
PAGE . AS A RESULT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REPETITION OF
INFORMATION OCCURS. SIMPLY SCROLL PAST ANY MATERIAL THAT YOU
HAVE ALREADY ENCOUNTERED.
|
| DISCLAIMER
BOX: All the information on this site is provided in general
terms and is not meant to apply, nor may it apply, to your
particular situation or the one you are interested in, and may
not be legally current at the time you read it. The
information on this site is not intended to serve as a
replacement for professional legal advice or appropriate expert
psychological counseling. The webmaster and Dr. Will Cupchik
specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or
indirectly from the use or application of any information
contained on this web site. The appropriate professional should
be consulted regarding your specific condition, situation or
circumstances. WhyHonestPeopleSteal.com does not take
responsibility for the information posted on, or any other
aspect of, any other sites to which it is linked, or which may
be mentioned on this site. |
|
Psychologist
Dr. Will Cupchik has been a member of the American Psychological
Association for over twenty-seven years.
-
He
formerly held the position of Psychologist-in-Charge,
Forensic Outpatient Psychological Services at the Clarke
Institute of Psychiatry, a major research psychiatric
facility associated with the University of Toronto, where he
conducted the first studies and therapeutic programs for
Atypical Theft Offenders, beginning over 28 years ago, in
1979.
-
He
was the senior author of the ground-breaking article,
entitled Shoplifting: An Occasional Crime of the Moral
Majority, published in the professional journal, The
Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law,
over two decades ago, in 1983.
- In
the book CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY: THE ASSESSMENT AND
TREATMENT OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, published in
1985, Dr. Cupchik and his original co-investigator, senior
psychiatrist Dr. Don Atcheson, first termed usually honest
individuals who steal 'Atypical Theft Offenders' in
their chapter titled, Shoplifting: An Occasional Crime
Of The Moral Majority. At
the time, Dr. Cupchik held the position of Psychologist-in-Charge,
Forensic Outpatient Psychological Services, and Dr.
Atcheson was Senior Psychiatrist on the same forensic
service .
-
-
He
has developed numerous original and unique assessment and
treatment tools to help 'Atypical Theft Offenders'
stop stealing. Many of these techniques are employed, when
and as appropriate, with attendees of the Intensive
Intervention Programs that he conducts. Two of these tools
are pen-and-paper assessment tools: the Cupchik Theft
Offender Questionnaire and the Cupchik Theft Offender
Spectrum. Both are included in full in his book and
potential attendees are encouraged to complete both
instruments prior to contacting Dr. Cupchik, as they usually
give a very good first approximation of the extent to which
(a) the individual may be correctly termed an 'Atypical
Theft Offender', and (b) the suitability of the person for
an Intensive.
-
Full
Psychological Reports written by Dr. Cupchik have been
used in both American and Canadian courts to assist judges
in making decisions in regard to the disposition of theft
cases before them.
-
Dr.
Will Cupchik's book, WHY HONEST PEOPLE SHOPLIFT OR
COMMIT OTHER ACTS OF THEFT: Assessment and Treatment of
'Atypical Theft Offenders, Revised Edition (2002) is
available from online bookstores, including
BarnesandNoble.com,
where it is a consistent bestseller (Keyword: Shoplifting).
-
Media
in the United States,
Britain, Europe, Canada, and Australia have shown
considerable interest in Dr. Cupchik's work over the past
three-plus decades. Dr. Cupchik has appeared on: CBS's
Early Show... MSNBC Investigates
...., ABC's Good Morning America..., CBS
NEWS 48 Hours...., The Sam Donaldson
Radio Show...., Lifetime Network's New Attitudes Program....,
and has been quoted in... The New York Times...,
Los Angeles Times...., San Francisco
Chronicle..., Chicago Sun-Tribune....,
Bloomberg News ... SELF magazine...., HEALTH
magazine...., and PEOPLE magazine... among
many other media programs and publications.
-
For
a fuller listing of the considerable media interest in Dr.
Cupchik's work click on the MEDIA
web page link on this site.
| Dr.
Cupchik offers
a FREE BRIEF [15-20 MINUTE] TELEPHONE
SCREENING INTERVIEWS only to
individuals who, before contacting him:
|
| |
|
CONTACT
INFO FOR DR. WILL CUPCHIK:
Due to the unfortunate prevalence of of spam and
viruses, only emails that have the initials
(WC) in brackets in the subject line will be
opened.
Again, use (WC) in the subject line.
E-MAIL:
wcupchik@aol.com
Tel: 416-928-2262
|
|
TELEPHONE
and/or
'SKYPE' video-enabled CONSULTATIONS and COUNSELING with DR. CUPCHIK:
As
mentioned above, Dr. Will Cupchik provides for-fee
telephone or
Skype counseling for theft offenders, and
consultations to their significant others (i.e.,
partners or spouses, other relatives, concerned friends,
etc...), as well as for local professionals who work
with these individuals.
These
Sessions are arranged by contacting Dr.
Cupchik directly via either telephone @ 416-928-2262
or by e-mail to wcupchik@aol.com
: ( please write (WC) in the subject line ), at which
time, (a) a mutually agreed upon time for the
consultation is agreed upon, and (b)
information related to providing a retainer for the
consultation or counseling session can be provided in
advance.
The
current fee for telephone sessions is $275.--U.S. for a
50-minute session. (and is subject to change at any time
without notice).
|
|
Dr.
Cupchik's book, Why
Honest People Shoplift Or Commit Other Acts Of Theft:
Revised Edition (2002):
- is
available as a paperback from BarnesandNoble.com,
where it has consistently been among the
best-selling of over 80 books at B&N.com that
are currently listed under the keywords,
'shoplifting' and 'kleptomania'
- may
also be purchased from Amazon.com
, and other online bookstores
- is
also available to American purchasers only from Booklocker.com
in paperback,
- and
to purchasers from anywhere in the world from
Booklocker.com
in e-book format.
- For
Canadian purchasers only:
For
the paperback, go to Amazon.ca
or Indigo.ca ; for the e-book, go to Booklocker.com
]
When
ordering this book from your local bookstore,
refer to the book's ISBN number, 1-896342-08-6. Your
local bookstore can order this book; just tell
the salesperson that the book is a Print- on-Demand
edition, is printed by Ingram's POD company, Lightning
Source, and is distributed by Ingram (the largest
book distributor in the USA). You will, however, likely
get the book most quickly (and possibly for much less)
from the online bookstores mentioned above.
|
To read a book
review of the original edition of this book by the Criminal
Lawyers Association, please go to
www.criminallawyers.ca/newslett/19-1/bury.htm
.
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS:
Dr.
Cupchik has been a full member of the American Psychological
Association as well as the Canadian Psychological
Association and Ontario Psychological Association for
over twenty-seven years.
Dr.
Cupchik has appeared as an expert witness on theft behavior in
courts in Ontario, and his court-directed Psychological Reports
and Intervention Program Summaries for individuals whom he has
assessed and treated in the Intensive Intervention Programs for
Atypical Theft Offenders have been presented to the courts by
lawyers in several states in the United States.
|
The
Behavior of 'Atypical Theft Offenders' [ATOs]
Such
behavior occurs in cases of theft perpetrated by
individuals who are usually honest, law-abiding and
contributing members of society, but whose bizarre and
seemingly non-sensical stealing is compulsive in nature,
and occurs even though the individual may be
genuinely embarrassed, ashamed and/or frightened by the
usually entirely financially unnecessary activity, and
when the behavior may continue even though the theft
offender, at least to a substantial extent, consciously
wants to stop acting out in this fashion.
The
behavior is usually accompanied by feelings of being out
of control, even though the person is usually
aware of what she or he is doing, or intending to do -
i.e., steal.
AN
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE MUCH TOO PREVALENT
MISTAKE OF MISLABELING ATYPICAL THEFT BEHAVIOR AS
EVIDENCE OF KLEPTOMANIA:
Most
cases of Atypical Theft Behavior should not be
(but unfortunately frequently are) confused with
'kleptomania'. The reasons why the labeling of
"kleptomania" is in error (in most cases)
include the following: The American Psychiatric
Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the
DSM) definition of kleptomania specifies
that the term is not
to be
used if...,
-
the theft offender is acting out of anger or
vengeance, and/ or
-
if there has been an external trigger
Dr.
Cupchik's studies over three decades have consistently
shown that in nearly all cases of atypical theft
behavior...
- the
theft offender is virtually always acting out
of anger, and
-
there is almost invariably an external
triggering event.
Far
too often persons have been misdiagnosed as
suffering from kleptomania, and consequently have
received inappropriate treatment, both clinically and in
the courts. Then, when this inappropriate and
ineffective treatment has failed to stop the offending
behavior, (which is virtually guaranteed, since it was
the wrong treatment and the wrong diagnosis), and the
individual re-offends yet again, the re-offending
behavior itself has even been erroneously used to
justify the continued mis-labeling.
An
analogy to this unhelpful at best (and more frequently,
harmful) cycle would be instances where an individual
has been misdiagnosed as suffering from a serious
physical disease, has been given the wrong
treatment, and then the fact that the treatment
has not cured the disease is used as a 'reason' to
suggest that the individual must have a particularly
resistant-to-cure case of the disease.
|
This
web site is intended to
be of particular use to the following persons:
-
Compulsive
shoplifters and other 'atypical theft offenders
(i.e., the theft
offenders themselves as well as their relatives and
friends, all of whom are interested in helping to stop this
seemingly bizarre, nonsensical, illegal and ultimately
self-destructive theft behavior;
-
Professionals
including
psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, lawyers,
judges, probation and parole officers, loss prevention
personnel and any others whose professional duties involve
dealing with usually honest people who have committed acts
of theft.
-
Media
including print, radio, and television reporters and
documentary film producers who are interested in providing
their readers/listeners/viewers/audiences with informative
human interest articles and programs regarding the
phenomenon of seemingly nonsensical or bizarre stealing, and
-
Students
of the human condition
Cases of atypical theft behavior offer some of the best
illustrations of subconscious and/or unconscious motivations
manifesting themselves at an observable behavioral level,
leading certain individuals to act out via behaviors that
offend against their own moral and ethical and usual ways of
functioning in the world,.
|
|
'Certificate
of Professional Qualification in Psychology'
Dr.
Will Cupchik has been granted a 'Certificate of Professional
Qualification in Psychology' (CPQ) by the Association of
State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
ASPPB
member states and provinces accepting the CPQ include: the
states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorada, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York State, North Carolina, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Wyoming...
...
as well as...
the
provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland,
Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
For
the latest, up-to-date information about ASPPB or the CPQ you
may wish to get on the
www.ASPPB.org
web site.]
|
|
Feedback
from some previous Intensive participants:
"It
has been over four years since I took the Intensive Intervention
Program. I would like you to know that I have not shoplifted
since, and I am feeling better about myself than I ever
have before. I am doing really well in my working and personal
aspects of my life, and have already achieved most all of the
positive goals I had set for myself during this period. Dr.
Cupchik helped me to realize why I might have been shoplifting,
and helped point out stressful situations might tempt me to
engage in the behavior again. This watchfulness has helped me
avoid such situations, or when they were unavoidable, to handle
them differently . I also realize that in order to continue to
not steal I need to deal with the issues that will
emerge in my life by facing them directly, and using the tools I
gained during our work together. As a result, while there have
been stressful situations that I have had to deal with since our
working together, I have not even been tempted to steal."
"
The Intensive, which I did with two other members of my family
present, has enabled us all to reveal the truths that we had not
talked about in decades. The
experience
led me/allowed me/ made me, examine those dark moments in
my life in a more fully connected way ... and to
appreciate the roles of the major losses that I had experienced
in childhood in my theft behavior... and to more openly share
...my reality with my mother and sister who had
accompanied me and also took part in the Intensive..
Naming it an "Intensive" is very apt. The
experience has already led to an incredible improvement in our
family dynamics."
"Dr.
Will. Having attended your Intensive program last year to deal
with my compulsive spending, accompanied by my wife and 2
two year old daughter, I wanted to give you an update on my
progress. I have not been involved in any compulsive
spending since the Intensive. I have found other, much
more productive ways of dealing with my feelings about myself
and the situations I have been facing. I have also
been dealing with my problems with intimacy much better, and
have increasingly made my family my priority. I have also
defined and redirected my career in a much more focused way.
The Intensive was very helpful in coming to terms with my
compulsive shopping, and underlying issues, and the exercises
you offered have really helped. My wife and and I both felt we
gained a lot of insight in many ways from the time and effort.
Thank you."
"There
is not one specific formula for what Dr. Cupchik does that fits
all. It is a very
intensive program. But I can not say he will do this and then
this and then that. Many of his techniques are described in the
book and on his website. Which ones he uses with individual
patients I assume would vary. He works mostly with people who
steal due to some sense of loss. If anger sets you into a
stealing mode, he can probably help you. If you have recently or
a long time ago experienced some great loss, he can probably
help you. Most of all it is about digging deep within you to
discover or better understand what the demon (my term) is that
makes you react this way. I found him to be exceptional at his
therapeutic approach, and the experience was very beneficial to
me and my family. Perhaps the most life altering effect for me
was validation and acceptance at a very fundamental level.
Something that is difficult to find if it was not instilled in
you early in life
|
"Dr.
Cupchik works mostly with people who steal due to some sense of loss. If
anger sets you into a stealing mode, he can probably help you. If you
have recently or a long time ago experienced some great loss, he can
probably help you. Most of all it is about digging deep within you to
discover or better understand what the demon (my term) is that makes you
react this way. I found him to be exceptional at his therapeutic
approach, and the experience was very beneficial to me and my family.
Perhaps the most life altering effect for me was validation and
acceptance at a very fundamental level. Something that is difficult to
find if it was not instilled in you early in life. "Dr.
Cupchik works mostly with people who steal due to some sense of loss. If
anger sets you into a stealing mode, he can probably help you. If you
have recently or a long time ago experienced some great loss, he can
probably help you. Most of all it is about digging deep within you to
discover or better understand what the demon (my term) is that makes you
react this way. I found him to be exceptional at his therapeutic
approach, and the experience was very beneficial to me and my family.
Perhaps the most life altering effect for me was validation and
acceptance at a very fundamental level. Something that is difficult to
find if it was not instilled in you early in life.
For
those who ...are quite comfortable with --and fully desire and intend
to-- continue to steal, and if you have no sense of remorse or shame
about your stealing, then you are probably primarily what he calls a
Typical Theft Offender, and his program is definitely not be the one for
you.
Thank you for your wonderful program. The
work begins. Our son has told me that he has begun to "unload"
his place. My husband will be down to Texas within the month for
overseeing if necessary. My son told me that his psychiatrist read your
report and that you had absolutely
nailed him! Our son's phone conversations seem more adult already
and my husband and I are incorporating your directives as much as
possible. We suffer no illusions that life will be easy for our son but
know that he must do the work to be held accountable regardless of
diagnoses. We would absolutely recommend your program and will speak
about it with our son's former psychiatrist in New York City.
|
|
THE
INTENSIVE INTERVENTION PROGRAM IS A ONE-ON-ONE EXPERIENCE
NOTE:
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT
PART OF SOME GROUP ACTIVITY; IT IS A ONE-ON-ONE EXPERIENCE CONDUCTED
PERSONALLY BY DR. CUPCHIK. CONSEQUENTLY, ALL THE TIME SPENT
DURING YOUR INTENSIVE FOCUSES DIRECTLY ON YOUR OWN SITUATION.
THE PROGRAM IS
HELD AT A TIME ARRANGED DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE ATTENDEE AND DR. CUPCHIK,
WHEN IT WILL BE CONVENIENT TO THEM BOTH, AND TO ANY 'SIGNIFICANT OTHER(S)'
(I.E., PARTNERS OR SPOUSES, FAMILY MEMBERS) WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANYING THE
PARTICIPANT.
IT IS HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, THAT 'SIGNIFICANT OTHERS' ACCOMPANY THE
CLIENT AND TAKE PART IN THE INTENSIVE'S SESSIONS AS REQUIRED. HOWEVER, FOR
PERSONS WHO MAY WISH TO ATTEND INTENSIVES BY THEMSELVES, THIS OPTION IS
AVAILABLE TO SELECTED ATTENDEES, ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
MORE
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The
four-day Intensive involves 19 clinical sessions in all:
The
Intensive programs are focused on both assessment and treatment of the
participant. Most programs begin at 10:00am on Sunday, unless
otherwise arranged.
WHAT
KINDS OF INTERVENTIONS ARE INVOLVED IN THE INTENSIVE INTERVENTION
PROGRAM? During the course of the Intensive program, the theft
offender (the official 'client') and every other participant (spouse,
friend, adult child, or parent) is seen at least once on his/her
own and, depending upon the material that is uncovered and the nature of
the therapeutic work that is deemed desirable to assist the theft
offender, sessions involving one or more of the other participants
working together with the 'client', may take place. It should be
noted that, in effect and in fact, some of the sessions may involve
'couples', family, adult-child & parent, siblings, and/or
group therapeutic work.
Dr.
Cupchik is also the developer of
Reintrojection Therapy and many other original assessment and
therapeutic tools that are of great value in working with atypical
theft offenders, including some that allow for the examination and
altering of the attendee's most important interpersonal relationships. He
initiated the very first therapy program for Atypical Theft Offenders in
1980 while working on the forensic service of the Clarke Institute of
Psychiatry.
It
is Dr. Cupchik's clinical opinion, based on over three decades of work
in the field, that truly effective work with individuals who have
problems with compulsive stealing and/or other types of Atypical Theft
Behavior involves the use of a variety of dedicated approaches modified
to suit the needs of the attendee; anything less may merely offer some
temporary 'band-aid' effectiveness. A very high level of therapeutic
expertise required to deal with the sorts of issues that are usually
behind atypical theft behavior.
|
Are
you an Atypical Theft Offender [ATO]? How do you know whether it is
appropriate to take this program? Consider the following:
Do
you:
-
have
trouble stopping shoplifting even though you consciously want to do so?
-
feel
embarrassment or remorse about your theft behavior?
-
feel
frightened because, in spite of your efforts to stop the theft behavior, you
are still 'out of control'?
-
fear
that your livelihood, relationships, or even your freedom are at risk
because you don't/won't stop stealing?
-
recognize
that, in spite of your 'good intentions', you are still stealing?
-
suspect
that your reasons for stealing are more complex and difficult to deal
with than you have been able to handle on your own, or even with
months/years of therapy, or supposedly 'specialized support groups'?
If
you answered 'yes' the above questions, then read carefully the materials on
this and the other web pages on this site, and consider the possible usefulness
of the Intensive Intervention Program. After reading these materials and Dr.
Cupchik's book, if you think that you might be a suitable candidate for the
Program, either email Dr. Cupchik at wcupchik@aol.com
or phone him at 416-928-2262 to discuss the possibility further.
More
about the
Intensive Intervention Program:
The
goals for this program are the clinical assessment and treatment of the
individual having difficulty with atypical theft behavior, including compulsive
stealing (frequently, shoplifting) and/or compulsive shopping, with the aim of
assisting the attendee to cease such behavior.
Previous
participants have included a very large proportion of folks from the United
States, including individuals from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Many
attendees
have found that participation in this program was sufficient for them to cease
their compulsive or out-of-control stealing and/or compulsive shopping entirely.
Full
and open involvement in the Intensive Intervention Program process has helped
most participants resolve many of the underlying issues that have been
precipitating their acting out via atypical theft or shopping behavior. Findings
made during the program assist Dr. Cupchik in offering specific suggestions and
direction for follow-up work with local therapists, if such is deemed desirable.
WHAT:
The Atypical Theft Offender (ATO)
Intensive Intervention Program is the result of over 34 years of clinical
investigations by registered psychologist Dr. Will Cupchik.
In
1985 Dr. Cupchik and his co-investigator psychiatrist Dr. D.J. Atcheson coined
the term Atypical Theft Offenders to refer to these individuals in the chapter
they co-wrote that was published in the book, CLINICAL CRIMINOLOGY: THE
ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
WHO:
Dr. Cupchik personally conducts the program, which consist
of:
The
theft offender is strongly encouraged to bring along, when possible, at least
one of the key persons in his or her life, including perhaps the individual(s)
with whom the offender still has major unresolved issues. Frequently
these 'significant other' persons will include the attendee's partner, parent(s),
grown children, or close friends. These 'significant others' must be willing to
become involved in one or more of the sessions, as required and requested.
WHEN:
Sessions are usually
conducted on Sunday through Wednesday, unless otherwise arranged; this minimizes
time away from work and home for most attendees, and also allows them to perhaps
save on air fares by staying over on Saturday night. Each day's
sessions begin at 10am, and usually finishes before 5pm, with an extended lunch
break. Sessions are 45 minutes long; often Dr. Cupchik will work for longer
periods at one stretch; the total amount of time over the number of days agreed
upon will be the same, however.
WHERE:
The Intensive Intervention
Program takes place at Dr. Cupchik's office, located at 250 St. Clair Avenue
West, Suite G-3, in mid-town Toronto, a short taxi ride from major hotels. Tel:
416-928-2262
Program
Daily Format
Sunday:
The Intensive Intervention Program usually begins on
Sunday at 10 am. Five
clinical sessions take place during this
first day of the program.. One or more of the sessions throughout the program
may involve the 'significant other' person, being present, if and as desirable,
and, of course, with the agreement of the attendee.
Most
sessions involve both assessment and therapeutic components. Nearly three
decades of Dr. Cupchik's clinical investigations with these cases have made it
very clear that, while most of these cases have a good deal in common,
each case may also markedly different from others in some ways, and therefore it
is impossible to use a 'cookie-cutter' approach or automatic 'formula' when
working with individuals who present with compulsive or bizarre stealing or
shopping. Therefore, each attendee's program is structured, as the work
continues throughout the three days, to fit the emerging needs and issues of the
individual.
The
client's Significant Other or S.O., (often, a parent or partner) is also
interviewed, alone and/or with the client present.
Monday:
The program continues on Monday with five
sessions. The sessions continue to have both
assessment and treatment components, and often a considerable number of issues
and underlying motivations for the attendee's inappropriate acting out behavior
are uncovered and worked on. Issues between the attendee and his or her
Significant Other, that have until now remained unresolved, are often dealt with
as well.
Tuesday:
Tuesday is primarily a psychotherapy-oriented day, involving
five clinical sessions,
continuing the
work of the previous days, and involving the 'significant others' whenever and
wherever appropriate.
Wednesday/Last
Day: The program concludes on
the last day, usually by about 2:30 p.m., with
four sessions, involving
the attendee alone and/or with the 'significant other'. At that time, Dr.
Cupchik provides the attendee with a written summary of areas worked on, a
Certificate of Completion, and recommendations for any follow-up with local
therapists. If attendees must catch an earlier flight, then we will forego
lunch and finish about 1:30pm
By
the end of their programs most attendees have
reported making very considerable progress in uncovering and dealing with the
underlying issues that precipitated their compulsive stealing or shopping
behavior. For some attendees, the program will have assisted them to
resolve the issues to the point that recidivism is very unlikely. If further
therapeutic work is required, Dr. Cupchik provides a summary of the work
done, and lists those aspects that may need more attention with a local
therapist. Dr. Cupchik is willing to discuss any attendee's case with his or her
therapist, if that is requested.
Between-session
times: It is very
highly recommended that each attendee to the program bring along at least
one so-called 'significant other' [either a spouse or partner, parent, adult
child, sibling or very close friend] who knows about the theft behavior problem
and the real purpose of these sessions. Between
sessions the client and 'significant other' can share and de-brief and also find
time for relaxation to counter the intensity of the sessions themselves.
Ideally, the 'significant other' will be someone who could contribute to the
clinical process and who is willing to participate in some sessions, if and as
requested.
|
RELATIONSHIP
WORK: Dr.
Cupchik's doctoral dissertation explored interpersonal relationships. He
has developed a number of unique approaches to working with unresolved
relationship issues, including The Cupchik Relationship Questionnaire,
the Cupchik Relationship Imagery Exercise, and Reintrojection
Therapy. These assessment and therapeutic tools are frequently
employed during Intensives.
|
PRE-PROGRAM
PREPARATION
I
- For maximum effectiveness of the Intensive Intervention Program, it is very
strongly recommended that attendees and their 'Significant Other(s)' read Dr.
Cupchik's book,
Why Honest People Shoplift or Commit
Other Acts Of Theft": Revised Edition before arriving for the
program. Usually the time interval between initially scheduling the dates for
attending the program and the client's arrival in Toronto will afford enough
time for the individual to finish reading the book thoroughly.
II-
It is advisable that a 'brief free consultation', take place beforehand via
telephone.
III
- At least 72 hours before the start of the intensive program, the client is
asked to forward completed copies of the Cupchik Theft Offender Questionnaire
and the Cupchik Theft Offender Spectrum, both of which may be found in Dr.
Cupchik's book.
Full
involvement in the Intensive Intervention Program may be sufficient to assist
the client to stop stealing. However, if desired or required, additional
follow-up consultation sessions may be conducted over the telephone, or
in person. As well, Dr. Cupchik is available to consult by phone and/or
email with the client's local therapist (if any), and/or any other professionals
(lawyers, probation officers, etc...) Subsequent letters to lawyers or court
officials may be provided as well.
[Please
Note: All fees and retainers for the Intensive Intervention Program and other of
Dr. Cupchik's professional activities in respect to any particular case are always quoted in
U.S. funds..]
|
THE
THREE CATEGORIES OF THEFT OFFENDERS
-
The ‘Atypical
Theft Offender’ (A.T.O.)
is an individual whose seemingly
bizarre
or nonsensical
acts
of theft, which may involve shoplifting, fraud, or employee theft,
are aberrations of that person’s usual ways of conducting
him/herself as an ethical, law-abiding and contributing member of
society. The A.T.O. may
feel ‘out of control’ about having violated his/her own moral
code by stealing, and frequently experiences serious confusion, deep
shame and genuine remorse in regard to the theft behavior.
Atypical Theft Offenders frequently have serious personal and
interpersonal issues that need to uncovered and dealt with, usually
with the assistance of directed clinical treatment.
-
Atypical Theft Offenders
are often mistakenly
labeled as suffering from ‘kleptomania’, a mis-diagnosis
that usually precludes their receiving suitable treatment. Without
effective treatment, these offenders may remain at risk to commit
additional offenses, at which time the mis-label
of kleptomania may actually be erroneously reinforced again and
again.
-
In contrast, Typical
Theft Offenders (T.T.O.s), who undoubtedly constitute the majority
of theft offenders, are comfortable with their
theft behaviors, and may only experience regret about having
been caught, as opposed to feeling shame about the act of theft
itself. Unless such individuals are genuinely ready and willing to
work within and outside of the clinical sessions and to make the
recommended changes, they make exceedingly poor candidates for
clinical intervention.
-
Most theft offenders display
both Atypical Theft Offender and Typical Theft Offender
elements, and are referred to as the ‘Mixed Type’ (A.T.O./T.T.O.)
Theft Offender. These individuals, depending upon the specifics in
each case, may be amenable to clinical intervention.
One of the primary functions of the Atypical Theft Offender Intervention
Program is to ascertain which of the above categories the theft offender
belongs, as this has direct implications for the nature and prognosis of
any clinical intervention, as well as for the appropriate disposition of
the case in the legal system.
Both Atypical and Mixed-Type Theft Offenders may benefit from the
Intensive Intervention Program if -and to the extent that- the
participants are genuinely interested in ceasing their theft behavior
(as opposed to simply attempting to impress the local legal or judicial
authorities with the idea that they 'took' a program).
|
THE
REGULAR (NON-INTENSIVE) INTERVENTION PROGRAM
(for
those who can attend weekly clinical sessions over a period of weeks or months)
Provided
for suitable individuals who have committed acts of
stealing, including shoplifting, fraud, and employee theft include:
-
Full
Clinical Assessments,
involving a minimum of eight clinical sessions, and include a comprehensive
Psychological Report sent to the referring source, if arranged and agreed
upon.
Some
individuals may opt for only phone or Skype-enabled consultations and counseling.
DETERMINING
THE CATEGORY TO WHICH
THE
THEFT OFFENDER MOST LIKELY BELONGS
The
following items in Tables A and B, are derived from the Cupchik Theft
Offender Spectrum, and can assist in distinguishing Atypical or Mixed-Type
Theft Offenders from the more common Typical Theft Offenders.
The
more items the theft offender could respond to truthfully in the affirmative
in Table A, and in the negative
in Table B, the more likely it is that he or she may be a suitable candidate for
this Program.
[The
complete Cupchik Theft Offender Spectrum appears in Dr. Cupchik's book,
"Why Honest People Shoplift Or Commit Other Acts Of Theft".]
|
TABLE
A
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Did
the theft offender steal in such an obvious fashion as if to
purposefully get caught?
|
|
|
|
Was
the theft offender under an unusual or extreme amount of stress at the
time of the offense?
|
|
|
|
Does
the offender appear to be experiencing profound shame in regard to
having committed the act (as opposed to having such feelings because he
or she was caught)?
|
|
|
|
Was
the theft offender anticipating (or actually) experiencing any major
personally meaningful losses just prior to the offense?
|
|
|
|
Was
the theft offender experiencing marked resentment or anger towards his
or her ‘intimate other’ at about the time of the offense?
|
|
|
|
Was
the monetary value of what was stolen very small compared to the
individual’s readily available financial resources?
|
|
|
|
Was
cancer or any other major illness an issue either for the theft offender
or a ‘significant other’ at about the time of the offense?
|
|
|
|
Did
the theft offender experience any major or unusual losses while a child?
|
|
|
|
Does
the theft offender feel ‘out of control’ in regard to stopping
the theft behavior?
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
FOR TABLE A
|
___
|
___
|
|
|
|
TABLE
‘B’
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Was
what was stolen desirable to the offender?
|
|
|
|
Was
what was stolen needed by the offender?
|
|
|
|
Was
greed a factor in the theft?
|
|
|
|
Was
the theft planned before the incident?
|
|
|
|
Was
the item used by the offender, his or her family and/or friends or
acquaintances?
|
|
|
|
Was
a weapon or threat used in the commission of the offense?
|
|
|
|
Has
the theft offender previously been convicted of any other kinds of
crimes or illegal actions (DUI, etc..)?
|
|
|
|
Was
the item later sold by the theft offender?
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
FOR TABLE B
|
___
|
___
|
Interpreting
the scoring:
The greater the number of ‘Yes’ responses from Table A and
‘No’
responses from Table B, the greater the likelihood that the theft offender is an
Atypical or Mixed-Type of theft offender, and may therefore be a suitable
candidate for the Atypical Theft Offender Intervention Program.
Please
Note: Most participants of the Intensive Intervention Program are of the
Mixed-type (ATO & TTO type) of theft offender.
Of
course, the fewer the number of ‘Yes’ responses from Table A and
‘No’
responses from Table B, the greater the likelihood that the theft offender is a
Typical Theft Offender; generally these individuals are not suitable candidates
for the Atypical Theft Offender Intervention Program.
However,
very occasionally even
some Typical
Theft Offenders reach a point in their lives that they, also, genuinely
desire
to cease their theft behavior,
but have very great difficulty doing so. At that point they may be suitable
candidates for this program.
Regardless
of how the individual responds to the items in the above tables, all
prospective participants for the Atypical Theft Offender Intervention Program
should:
(a)
be highly motivated to
uncover the reasons for their theft behavior, and want to stop these ultimately
self-destructive acts; and
(b)
be willing to become
genuinely and fully involved in
the Intensive Program.
This includes a willingness to be open and forthcoming about all issues
discussed during the program.
Who
May Make Referrals to the Program?
-
Criminal
lawyers, crown attorneys, judges, probation and parole officers, service
organizations dealing with theft offenders, as well as other clinicians and
family physicians may refer prospective clients to the program.
-
Self-referrals
are
also accepted.
PROGRAM
FAQs:
Q-1:
OUR ADULT SON HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH SHOPLIFTING. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY
RESEARCHING, WITHOUT MUCH SUCCESS, WHAT AFFORDABLE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE IN
TEXAS OR ELSEWHERE THAT WILL HELP CHUCK
DEAL WITH HIS PROBLEMS? ANY SUGGESTIONS, DOCTOR?
A-1.
[Dr.Cupchik responds...] I recently had a compulsive shoplifter/shopper
(an experienced physician) from Texas who came to Toronto for the intensive
intervention program. He had very good resources and also researched various
places throughout the U.S.A (some of which he had attended to help him with
his problems). His said that he found no institutes in the USA or elsewhere
that recognized the problem as I had articulated and outlined it in my book
and on this website, or that provided suitable help.
As
far as I know there is no other such program that offers one-on-one clinical
sessions for atypical theft offenders using the format provided in the
Atypical Theft Offender Intensive Intervention Program.
Q-2:
DO YOU EVER DO PHONE OR SKYPE CONSULTATION SESSIONS WITH CLIENTS OR THEIR THERAPIST?
A-2.
Yes, I do telephone consultation sessions with clients and their 'significant
others' by telephone. I may ask the ‘significant other’ to be on an
extension phone for part of the session, if and as desired by myself and
agreed to by the client.
Ideally,
the client will be joined by his or her ‘significant other’ (perhaps the
theft offender’s partner, parent, sibling or adult-child ( preferably
whomever it is that the theft offender has the most 'issues' with) in Toronto.
,
Q-4:
IS THERE ANY WORK YOU REQUIRE TO BE DONE BEFORE CLIENTS ATTEND THE INTENSIVE
INTERVENTION PROGRAM?
A-4:
It is preferable that the Cupchik Theft Offender Questionnaire and
Cupchik Theft Offender Spectrum (both are in my book) be copied and then
filled out in as much detail as possible, and faxed to me at 416-489-8882, in
advance of our consultation. It is also very advisable that clients read my
book, A-4: It is preferable that both the Cupchik Theft Offender Questionnaire
and Cupchik Theft Offender
Spectrum (both are in my book) be copied and then filled out in as much detail
as possible, and faxed to me at 416-489-8882, in advance of our consultation.
It is very advisable that clients read my book, Why
Honest People Shoplift Or Commit Other Acts Of Theft, beforehand. This
preparation will mean that we can save time and energy getting them up to
speed in relation to many of my investigations' findings before they arrive
for the Intensive Intervention Program.
Q-5:
DO YOUR FEES QUALIFY FOR INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT?
A-5:
You will have to check with your insurance company, but some clients have been
able to receive partial or total reimbursement. Please see my Resume
page elsewhere on this or my WhyHonestPeopleSteal.com website to provide them
with whatever information they may need to make that determination. I am a
full member of the American Psychological Association, as well as other U.S.
professional organizations. I have also been granted a Certificate of
Professional Qualification in Psychology by the Association of States and
Provinces Psychology Boards.
|
Q-6:
HOW MUCH DOES THE 4-day INTENSIVE PROGRAM COST?
The
4-Day [19 session] Intensive Intervention Program professional fee is
currently $5995.--U.S.
Once
an Intensive has been scheduled and the fee paid, the fee will not
be changed. Until that time, fees are subject to change without
notice on this website.
|
|
Please
Note: most of Dr. Cupchik's findings regarding atypical theft behavior
are also directly relevant to atypical (compulsive) shopping behavior,
as well.
|
|
