Cognitive Behavioral Techniques

• Cognitive behavioral (CB) techniques are based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (see Appendix A for more information) and can be used in individual sessions/meetings. These are evidence-based strategies for correctional and non-correctional settings to facilitate behavior change.
• CBT addresses issues related to decisions that individuals make that affect their behavior.
• CBT and techniques are an evidence-based practice/treatment.
• CB techniques
  • could include working with clients to identify prosocial goals, then changing thought and behavior patterns to help clients achieve those goals
  • involve engaging in active listening to understand the client’s perspective and sharing decision-making to empower the client to make decisions
  • can be used effectively by officers with no background in clinical skills
• CB techniques come in multiple forms and may be distinct from traditional therapy-based CBT.
  • CB techniques often incorporate strategies used in conversation or face-to-face contacts.
  • Officers using CB techniques may focus on aspects of a client’s life choices and events that contribute to criminal behavior.
    • Officers can focus on and act upon factors (e.g., housing, food security, transportation, etc.) that can affect a client’s life and contribute to criminal behavior.
    • Officers can refer clients to licensed clinical practitioners for traditional CBT if the client suffers from a psychological disorder (see Appendix A).

• CB techniques have three different strategy sets:
  • Strategy 1 (Behaviorism): Focuses on changing observable behaviors to reduce a person’s risk of future criminality.
  • Strategy 2 (Cognitive): Focuses on changing thought processes to improve decision-making that will reduce a person’s risk of future criminality.
  • Strategy 3 (Mindfulness): Focuses on increasing client’s awareness and acceptance of internal processes, and aligning their behaviors with their prosocial values.

• Clients should be assessed to determine if they will benefit from CB techniques. Potential factors which may make CB techniques more difficult to use with clients are:

• • presence of mental illness
  • presence of SUD
  • client unready to change
  • client unreceptive to CB techniques
  • frequency of offending behavior
  • offending behavior is motivated by social circumstances (not mindset)
  • literacy
• Clients should be assessed periodically to determine if CB techniques are still appropriate.
• CB techniques are appropriate for all risk levels.

How Can They Be Used to Monitor Compliance?

• CB techniques should not be used to monitor client compliance or determine if they are able to follow supervision conditions.
• Cognitive behavioral techniques can be a useful tool to review and process (deconstruct) noncompliant events.
  • Officers can use CB techniques to have clients walk them through their thought process leading up to a noncompliant decision.
• While CB techniques are generally appropriate for clients regardless of their compliance level, there are some circumstances where it may be ineffective or even detrimental.
  • If a client is noncompliant with some conditions of supervision and seems unreceptive or resistant to CB techniques, forcing the client to participate is unlikely to lead to positive outcomes.
    • CB techniques work better with clients who are more engaged and interested in the process.
  • If a client is unreceptive to CB techniques, it may be better to first focus on explaining to them why the process is important and addressing their concerns in order to achieve buy-in.
    • Client motivation and engagement may be area-specific—they may be more ready to engage in CB techniques targeting one aspect of their life than another.
      • It can be helpful to “go where the motivation is” and address those areas of a client’s life that they are ready to work on. This can be a helpful way to establish buy-in and trust before transitioning to addressing other areas of a client’s life as they become ready.
      • It can also be helpful to work with a client to set priorities. This happens when the client picks one aspect of their life to address and the officer picks another. Both aspects are subsequently worked upon, so both parties have a say in what is discussed.
      • CB techniques may be a useful tool to get clients interested in the therapeutic process if they are not yet ready to engage with full CBT.

How Can They Be Used as a Supervision Tool?

• CB techniques can
  • improve quality of life
  • change cognitions
  • facilitate behavior change and desistance (including reduced recidivism)
  • promote prosocial relationships (including between officer and client)
  • facilitate conversation and direct attention at achieving goals 

What Are the Costs of CB Techniques?

• Learning CB techniques and becoming competent will entail training costs.
• Using CB techniques with clients can be integrated into routine activities with officers, lowering the cost required to use them.

• Supervision staff report that CB interventions are
  • sometimes appropriate for all low-risk clients, except clients who are gang-involved, for whom they are never appropriate and
  • always appropriate for all medium- and high-risk clients.

Client Outcomes

• CB techniques can facilitate behavior change and quality of life improvements for clients.
  • There is strong evidence connecting CB interventions to behavior change and quality of life improvements when used to target mental illness.
• CB techniques may change thought patterns that contribute to criminal behavior.
  • However, CB interventions alone cannot change socioeconomic circumstances (e.g., poverty, lack of opportunity, cumulative disadvantage) that may drive this behavior.

Are CB Techniques an Evidence-Based Practice?

• Yes, evidence shows that CB techniques are effective in reducing recidivism and promoting behavior change.

What Do People Formerly Involved in the Criminal Legal System Think About CB Techniques?

• People involved in the criminal legal system report that CB techniques are
  • sometimes appropriate for all low-risk clients and
  • sometimes appropriate for all medium- and high-risk clients, except those who have committed intimate partner violence, for whom it is always appropriate.

Communication That Strengthens the Officer-Client Relationship (Messaging)

• Officers should be transparent and honest with the client throughout the process. This involves making sure the client understands
  • CB interventions are evidence-based practices that can lead to positive life outcomes, including behavior change and increased life satisfaction
  • which outcomes the court/officer wants to achieve through CB techniques
  • participating in CB techniques does not imply the client is “sick,” “weak,” or different than other people
• Noncompliance with CB techniques should not necessarily be viewed as “bucking the system” or an inability to follow the rules. Clients may have genuine concerns about engaging with CB techniques that the officer should talk through with the client. These concerns may include
  • taking time off from work, family responsibilities, or other conditions of supervision to engage with CB techniques during office visits
  • finding transportation to and from office visits
  • being seen as “sick”
  • discussing difficult and/or sensitive topics with the officer
  • having engaged with and tried to use CB techniques without seeing any results
• In the event the client is resistant to CB techniques, the officer should take time to hear and address their concerns.