The Process of Correctional Counseling and Treatment Chapter

The Process of Correctional Counseling and Treatment Chapter 1 © 2010 Elsevier, Inc.

Goals of Offender Counseling and Treatment The primary goal of correctional counselors is to intervene therapeutically with clients who are offenders. Types of therapeutic interventions: Prison adjustment n Prisoner re-entry n Risk of future offending n Substance abuse n Education and employment n Mental health concerns n © 2010 Elsevier, Inc. 2

The Counseling Process Four essential qualities of correctional counseling: n A sense of timing n Effective risking n Therapeutic intention and outcome n Professional humility Therapeutic intention is a key quality the counselor attempts to impart to his or her client through modeling, empathy, genuineness, and storytelling. © 2010 Elsevier, Inc. 3

Types of Correctional Counseling Correctional counseling occurs in both community -based and institution-based systems. Types of interventions used in these settings include: n Individual counseling n Group counseling n Educational and vocational counseling n Recreation n Psychotherapy © 2010 Elsevier, Inc. 4

Effectiveness of Offender Counseling and Treatment Meta-analyses are the most effective tools to determine the effectiveness of correctional counseling programs. Effective counseling is comprised of: n A cooperative treatment community n A willingness to change from the status quo n A well-trained and educated staff © 2010 Elsevier, Inc. 5