Early life and education

Stanton Ethan Samenow was born in 1941 to Charles (d. 1972) and Sylvia Samenow (d. 1995).

Career

From 1970 through 1978, Dr. Samenow worked as a clinical research psychologist for the Program for the Investigation of Criminal Behavior at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C.. With Dr. Samuel Yochelson, the findings of their clinical research-treatment study of offenders were published in the three-volume set entitled The Criminal Personality. Since 1978, Dr. Samenow has been in private practice as a clinical psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia.

Many states have adopted treatment programs based on Dr. Samenow's research, largely in state correctional facilities. In his videos, it becomes apparent that he likes to let his patient talk while he mentally logs any cognitive distortions. He then educates the patient on those cognitive distortions that were heavily used. In theory, a patient will use less and less cognitive distortions, eventually reaching a point where covert sensitization can be employed to abruptly halt criminal thinking patterns.

The Criminal Personality, Volumes I, II & III was featured in the penultimate episode of HBO's series The Sopranos and prompts Dr. Jennifer Melfi, a fictional therapist in the show, to re-evaluate whether the therapy she gives mafia boss Tony Soprano is actually beneficial to his criminal behavior.

Books

• The Criminal Personality, Volumes I, II & III (1976, 1977, 1986)
• Inside the Criminal Mind (1984)
• Before It's Too Late (1989)
• Straight Talk About Criminals (1998)
• In the Best Interest of the Child (2002)
• Inside the Criminal Mind: Revised and Updated Edition (2004)
• The Myth of the Out of Character Crime (2007)

Articles

• Understanding the User (unknown date) appeared in Virginia Lawyer.

Videos

• Good Intentions, Bad Choices: Overcoming Errors in Thinking
• Commitment To Change I: Overcoming Errors in Thinking
• Commitment to Change II: Tactics...Habits That Block Change
• Commitment to Change III: The Power of Consequences