NCJ Number
45696
Date Published
Unknown
Length
12 pages
Annotation
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNSELOR AND OFFENDER ARE DISCUSSED, AND GUIDELINES FOR FORMING EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
MOST OFFENDERS HAVE NOT HAD THE KIND OF HELPING EXPERIENCES THAT MOST PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED. IN CONTRAST, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE INTERVENTION OF PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES IN DESTRUCTIVE WAYS AND HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT INVOLVEMENT MEANS PAIN. THUS THE OFFENDER OFTEN IS RESISTANT TO INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COUNSELOR IN THE HELPING ROLE OR MAY APPROACH THAT INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILDLIKE EXPECTATIONS AND DEMANDS. ESTABLISHING A GOOD THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS KIND OF PERSON IS DIFFICULT. THE COUNSELOR SHOULD BE AWARE OF HIS OWN FEELINGS ABOUT THE OFFENDER AND SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TREATING THE OFFENDER WITH RESPECT. THE COUNSELOR SHOULD LEARN TO LISTEN AND TO LET THE OFFENDER KNOW THAT HE HAS BEEN HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD. IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE COUNSELOR TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE OFFENDER HIS WILLINGNESS TO LET THE OFFENDER KNOW HIM AS A HUMAN BEING. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE OFFENDER IS FACILITATED BY CLEAR, SIMPLE LANGUAGE. THE COUNSELOR SHOULD NEITHER ATTEMPT TO USE THE OFFENDER'S JARGON NOR TALK OVER THE HEAD OF THE OFFENDER. THE COUNSELOR-OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP REQUIRES THAT THE COUNSELOR BE PERSISTENT IN HIS EXPECTATIONS OF THE OFFENDER, ABLE TO DEAL WITH HIS OWN FEELINGS OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION, AND READY TO HELP THE OFFENDER IN A CRISIS. (LKM)