1. Evidence – Based Practices
Thinking for a Change
T4C

2. The curriculum was developed by Barry Glick, Ph. D. , Jack Bush, Ph. D
The curriculum was developed by Barry Glick, Ph.D., Jack Bush, Ph.D., and Juliana Taymans, Ph.D., in cooperation with the National Institute of Corrections.
Launched in 1997 with several agencies as “test sites”
40 states and federal government utilize the program currently

3. Used in probation, parole, prisons, jails, juvenile justice centers
Small groups (8-12) meet for 22 weeks
Appropriate for all age groups and most offender types
Effective with both males and females

4. Definition
It is an integrated, cognitive behavior change program for offenders that includes cognitive restructuring, social skills development, and development of problem solving skills.
Identifies thinking, beliefs, attitudes, and values

5. Philosophy Cognitive-behavioral based program
Thinking (internal behavior) controls actions (external behavior).
Necessary to target offenders’ thinking in order to change their actions that lead to criminal conduct
Behavior change cannot take place for individuals until they become aware of their thinking and see a reason to change.

6. Philosophy cont.
Some offenders engage in criminal conduct because they are under-socialized, lacking a repertoire of pro-socially acceptable responses to their daily lives.
This often takes the form of aggressive acts but can also be manifested in withdrawn behaviors or other anti-social behaviors such as those associated with drug and alcohol abuse.

7. Philosophy cont.
Other offenders engage in planned and deliberate criminal acts supported by strong antisocial attitudes and beliefs.
Their way of thinking supports and justifies the serious offenses they commit.

8. Philosophy cont.
Cognitive behavior theories, whether they be cognitive restructuring (e.g., Ellis, Meichenbaum) or social learning (Bandura), view individuals’ maladaptive behaviors as learned.
For many offenders these learned antisocial thoughts and actions become the central means by which they cope with life.
Strong internal reinforcers, such as feelings of excitement, pleasure, and power, offering immediate gratification, maintain these behaviors.

9. Philosophy cont.
Thinking for A Change (T4C) uses a combination of approaches to increase offenders’ awareness of self and others.
This deepened attentiveness to attitudes, beliefs, and thinking patterns is combined with explicit teaching of interpersonal skills relevant to offenders’ present and future needs.

10. Goals
The goal is to provide contextual instruction and related experiences so that offenders are confident and motivated to use pro-social skills when faced with interpersonal problems and/or anti-social or stressful problems.
The philosophy of the program endorses that offenders should be empowered to be responsible for changing their own problem behavior.
The intervention program provides the offenders the tools to take pro-social action and change their offending ways.

11. 3 Parts
Social skills – active listening, asking a question, giving feedback
Cognitive restructuring – our thinking controls how we act, paying attention to our thinking, recognizing that thinking leads to trouble, finding new thinking, using thinking check-ins

12. 3 Parts cont.
Social skills – understanding the feelings of others, responding to the feelings of others, preparing for a stressful conversation, responding to anger, dealing with an accusation
Problem solving skills – stop and think, problem description, getting information to set a goal, choices and consequences, choose-plan-do, evaluate