Overview of an Introduction to the Therapeutic Community

These two lessons introduce the participant to WHY it is important for them to consider participating in a therapeutic community.  Evidence is presented regarding the efficacy of treatment, and highlights existing data on the value of continuum of treatment.  The exercises presented are fun, engaging and introspective in nature, encouraging participants to evaluate their circumstance and consider participation in a therapeutic community a viable option for them.

TC students are presented with the choice as they stand on the threshold of a prison term, are they going to just do their time, or use their time?  It is their choice.  Games and exercises help them to look at their history in non-threatening ways and begin the process of getting to know one another.  Written material is presented not only from the academic realm, but from men who served prison terms and had the experience of both DOING TIME and then USING THEIR TIME.  The ten minute DVD presented in the second task is transcribed in the section under “Number to Name” and articulates the initial change process of a man after his first six weeks in the door of a therapeutic community after serving 22 years incarcerated.

Experience has shown that the first impression a participant has with a community can greatly impact their level of “buy in” and long term success.  Typically, an initial interview is the first contact a participant has with a therapeutic community.  In modified settings where there is no interview, the first contact with participants must be intentional, positive, and carefully planned to provide a positive experience.  It is critically important that demonstrators who are facilitating these two introductory tasks be well prepared and enthusiastic about the material they are presenting. 

Overview: Self Help Groups

This block of lessons seeks to expose participants to various historical and modern approaches to personal recovery. It examines the evolution of the sobriety movement, and highlights different agencies in existence today, identifying their philosophies and approaches to “treatment”. Emphasis is placed on the similarities between the 12 Step Movement and the approach of the Therapeutic Community with the intention of developing an integrated perspective on self-help so that participants keep an open mind in terms of utilizing any and all systems that can be of help to them in the future. It is imperative that participants understand the positive relationships between 12 Step and TC modalities so they can avail themselves to the support from the 12 Step community after they graduate from the TC.

The second objective of this block is to introduce participants to the basic theory of encounter groups in a non-threatening manner prior to their actual participation in encounter groups. It is critical that the initial experience a student has with the group process is a positive one. Initial negative group experiences result in psychologically losing the participant. Careful introduction to the group process aids in reducing fear and resistance, and maximizes both participation and socialization. Importantly, these lessons define a common language for groups amongst participants and examine fundamental aspects of encounter groups such as physical and emotional climate, group composition guidelines, and introduces several different types of encounter groups. The exercises and assignments are designed to foster interaction, rotate leadership and lead people to each other. The activities are geared towards developing community-building skills in both participants and staff, and are focused on developing a therapeutic community rather than a drug program. Specifically, these lessons are designed to expose participants to the components of healthy encounter groups. This overview of Self Help Groups prepares students for subsequent participation in residential or in-prison Therapeutic Communities.

**Please note that the Thresholds of Change Curriculum are designed for short-term/brief introductions. These volumes are not full-full length. Table of Contents will be posted soon.