Addressing Anti-Social Attitudes in anger management courses
Evidence Based principals in the field of criminal justice is a fairly new development. Probation departments, courts and prison institutions across the globe are coming into alignment. After years of Meta Analysis authorities are coming to the conclusion that a systematic deployment of proven rehabilitation principles must be adopted.
In an effort to manage anger, Daybreak Counseling Service addresses eight major risk factors for clients who participate in aggressive and violent acts.
1. Antisocial Attitudes
2. Antisocial Peers
3. Antisocial Personality
4. History of antisocial behavior
5. Family
6. Education/Employment
7. Substance Abuse
Antisocial attitudes have been found to be a barrier to effective anger management. For many clients aggression and violence supports their value system. If clients are not challenged to adopt prosocial attitudes clients may exit an anger management class as better communicators. They may learn the ability to manage stress and identify emotions but they will most often add these new skills to their arsenal of antisocial behavior.
While teaching effective anger management techniques anger management instructors should ensure that the environment is supportive of change. Those clients who voice anti social opinions should be immediately challenged and redirected.
Anger Management instructors should be attentive listeners in an effort to identify pro-criminal or antisocial attitudes, values and beliefs in their clients. Anti-social attitudes can be explored and challenged through the use of motivational interviewing.
Antisocial attitudes may be obvious if the client expresses the following:
Pride in delinquent behavior
Close association with anti social peers
An enormous disdain for the law, law enforcement and the criminal justice system
Justification for criminal activity
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
