Counseling Method for Juvenile Offenders
Counseling is an integral of rehabilitation within a criminal justice system. Different classes of offenders require different counseling methods, and it is critical for a case manager to correctly identify the offender’s needs and adopt a counseling method that best suits the needs. Family, school, and community factors significantly influence the chances of juvenile delinquency, and it is important to use a counseling method that effectively addresses these factors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) enhances awareness about the surrounding environment and helps to improves behavior through consciousness thoughts. CBT has been proved to be an effective counseling method with juvenile offenders.
CBT counseling method seeks to make offenders conscious of their thoughts and behavior, and make positive changes. Thoughts influence behavior and distorted thoughts do not present reality, and they are usually the cause of negative behavior (Hofmann et al., 2012). Most minor offenders are victims of distorted thoughts shaped by either family, school, or community environment, and often influenced by peer groups. CBT seeks to correct these thoughts by helping the offender improve their critical and moral reasoning. Also, the method helps offenders be cognitive of their thoughts, perception, and the environment, and improve their response to situations through self-control, social skills, self-efficacy, and management of feelings and anger (Clark, 2010). The method enhances reasoning and subsequently improves behavior.
Thoughts and reasoning are, therefore, crucial in shaping behavior and distorted thoughts are the main reason for negative behavior for minors. CBT method seeks to correct distorted thoughts and improve reasoning. The method helps the offender develop an improved pattern of thoughts and equips the offender with vital skills that improve behavior.
References
Clark, P. (2010, May 28). Preventing future crime with cognitive behavioral therapy. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/preventing-future-crime-cognitive-behavioral-therapy
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive therapy and research, 36(5), 427-440.