Tri-County Human Services, Inc Serving Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties with residential, outpatient, and
EVERY EVERY JASA HAS BEEN AWARDED BEST PRACTICES AWARDS EVERY JASA PROGRAM HAS SCORED CONSISTENTLY HIGH ON AUDITS
ORIGINAL PROGRAM BEGAN IN POLK COUNTY
First Complete Clinical Team Including the Sheriff s Office Psychiatric Nurse & Forensic Mental Health Counselor
While offering treatment in the prison system two men, Mell Williams & Joe Gentry were challenged by diversion program possibilities. A question emerged from their discussions. What would happen if a short-term solution focused program of change was offered at the county jail level. Is it possible to help these men & women escape future prison sentences & find new useful lives without drugs and crime?
They put their heads together and began to reflect on things that had been effective in their treatment options and efforts. They then began putting together a program reflecting their training & experience.
WHAT DID THESE MEN LEARN THAT MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE? 1. Treatment works (& is cheaper) 2. Start Therapeutic Community & CBT early 3. Changing thinking precedes changes in behavior. 4. Self-Esteem vs. pride, ego, and image. 5. Problem solving and Emotion Management 6. Interpersonal Relationships & Communicate 7. Values, Belief s, & Attitude Produce Behavior 8. Personal Responsibility & Accountability 9. Aftercare in the Community and Pay Back
NO ONE IS MOTIVATED TO CHANGE BY FOLLOWING RULES OR WISHFUL THINKING CHANGE GROWS OUT OF HOPE & A CLEAR VISION OF A BETTER FUTURE CHANGES IN THINKING, FEELING, & BEHAVIOR MEANS CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT OURSELVES AND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. IT CANNOT BE FORCED IT MUST BE ACCEPTED & EMBRACED BY OUR CLIENTS!!!
CRIMINAL THINKING PATTERNS Victim Stance (We/They Dichotomies) But I m a good person But my case is different! (terminally unique) Fear of Exposure ( Those Snitches snitch becomes the core value rather than caring about the well being of others) Lack of Time Perspective Selective Effort Power is Control Ownership Stance
ADDICTIVE THINKING PATERNS Self-Pity Stance (Losers expect to lose) But I m a good person! (blind to our defects of character) But my case is different. Fear of Exposure ( Those Snitches Need Stitches!) Lack of Time Perspective Deception & Manipulation is Control Selective Effort Seeking Pleasure or Relief is primary concern Ownership Stance
Differences Between Criminal and Addictive Thinking are very similar with a few notable exceptions. Although both may show self-pity & believe they are the victim, criminals tend to feel victimized while addicts steep themselves in self-pity. Criminals manipulate and control with power, while addicts tend to manipulate and control with deceit. Criminal thinkers tend to seek excitement while addicts are more motivated by pleasure and relief from stress or dope sickness.
The sad realization is that criminal and/ or addictive thinking is now determining their emotional responses and behavioral patterns to life not a core set of healthy values & belief s The task of helping each man & woman see this clearly (self-awareness) & motivating them to begin a fresh look at who they really want to be & how to change is truly daunting. Counselors benefit by involving themselves in this process of inner change & self-awareness
IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION STAND UP & WAVE YOUR ARMS DO THE WAVE!!! YOU ARE TOO COOL!!!
I JOINED THEIR EFFORTS IN 2006 BY 1 ST TRAINING FOR 9 MONTHS IN POLK COUNTY JASA THEN HELPING WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY JASA. I NEEDED A PROJECT FOR A DOCTORAL PROGRAM & THE JASA INSTALLATION FIT THE BILL. THE NEXT 3 ½ YEARS CHANGED THE DIRECTION OF MANY LIVES, INCLUDING MINE. I received my degree The program won best practices & we reduced the recidivism by more than 70% & that number continues to grow.
WHAT DID I LEARN??? 1. Although the jail officers had very different goals and objectives than treatment professionals, the partnership of the two became very powerful and effective when working as a team. An extended definition of Cultural proficiency. 2. Psycho-education is the basic ingredient for success. All processes and internal change grows from the seeds of treatment goals & objectives.
3. INNER CHANGE OCCURING NEXT IS LIKE BEING IN A CRUCIBLE Old Memories Produce A Wide Range of Emotional Response as Long Buried Shame/Guilt/Fear/Regret & Frustration Rise to The Surface. Grown Men Hardened Criminals Often Cry Openly Or Become Depressed or Anxious The stress of recovery is as difficult as any military training or academic higher education process
A Counselor must be ready with a full tool box of skills ready to deal with everything from denial & arrogance to broken men & women needing hope desperately. The move from addictive & Criminal Thinking to embracing healthy new core values and belief s. Only here do they begin to find new hope that what they value can last & give them a satisfying life full of hope. Counselors should be encouraged to share their personal core values & belief s as role models!
4. Use of models to teach help regardless of learning orientation. Left Brain Outline & lecture Right Brain See & do We counselors need to know our orientation & work to move to a middle brain orientation 5. Motivation seldom comes from rules motivation comes from hope!!! Hope is a vision of future possibilities. Hope is fed b encouragement by mentors & role models
7. Core belief s & values is the key that opens the door of inner change. Belief that I can do it must replace the typical I am a loser I cannot do it. That change in our core is often very painful. Values like do not steal do not kill (passively or aggressively) learn to be faithful all transcend cultures and belief systems. Where did they get their ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)? It usually begins early in life & is consistently re-enforced by negative role-models
This inner crucible has taken me to nine countries and given me great friends around the world I have enjoyed the greatest role models & mentors on the planet I am blessed daily.
THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN LIVING IN MY CAR AND HALF-WAY HOUSES AS I DID IN MY 1 ST 14 MONTHS CLEAN & SOBER. DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AND ANTS (AUTOMATIC NEGATIVE THOUGHTS) WERE A DAILY COMPANION BUT PERSISENCE WON OUT. The only way to lose is to quit! THIS IS NOT FOR THE SUCCESSFUL OR FORTUNATE IT IS FOR WHOEVER WANTS IT BAD ENOUGH TO DO THE WORK!!!
Counselors will find the following valuable as they grow personally, in their career, & as they offer services to hurting & desperate people: Brain Chemistry changes as people go through the recovery process don t be intimidated by outdated material explaining personality disorders as fixed new evidence reveals a very different picture there is no such thing as a hopeless Every new commitment & skill learned changes our brain chemistry!!! Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Techniques Stages of Change & Motivational Techniques Understand Learning Styles right/left brain orientations - for both counselor & your clients
Dr. Charlie Nelson, D.MIN, CAP, CMHP Charlie.nelson@live.com www.healingstreamsconflictresolutionservices.com Mell Williams, M.A., CAP, CMHP Mwilliams@tchsonline.com mwilliams@highlandssheriff.org Sheriff Susan Benton sbenton@highlandssheriff.org Tri-County Human Services, Inc www.tchsonline.com 863-709-9392 Ask about our many services available in Polk, Highlands, & Hardee Counties Not everyone will change. But real inner change is possible for anyone willing to enter the crucible and pay the price!!!