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CounterPoint™ is a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed for men aged 18 and older involved in the criminal justice system. The program is aimed at reducing reoffending by providing participants with the skills necessary to develop more pro-social attitudes and behavior.
The Counter-Point curriculum consists of 33-sessions and it has been designed specifically for male offenders who are assessed as having a high likelihood of reoffending. To facilitate attitudinal and behavioural change and increase participants’ personal responsibility and accountability, Counter-Point is based on a social learning perspective that applies cognitive behavioural principles and methods. Skill rehersal and reinforcement for learning are critical principles used to help clients gain the skills covered in the curriculum. Many games, group exercises, cognitive puzzles, and role playing activities are used to disseminate the program materials. Participants practice new skills in group settings and use the content presented in the program to solve concrete problems that they are experiencing or anticipate having in the future.
CounterPoint uses both cognitive restructuring and cognitive skill building components in the curriculum. The program progresses from examining typical patterns of thinking that promote problem behavior (risky thinking) to specific problem-solving steps (thinking skills) that can be used to avoid difficulties and ultimately prevent delinquent or criminal behavior. In addition, the program devotes attention to managing emotions (e.g., anger) and evaluating the role of social influences that make up the participants’ environment. As such, the program is very relevant for addressing the influences of anti-social peers, gang membership as well as healthy relationships within the family.
CounterPoint contains the following modules:
CounterPoint is a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed for men aged 18 and older involved in the criminal justice system.
