Moral Reconation Therapy Helps to Decrease Recidivism and Build Positive Behavioral Growth
We love to share client success stories! Whether it’s a small step toward positive change or a long journey of progress, we celebrate every opportunity for transformation.
Mr. C. decided to engage in the King County Corrections-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program offered in the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington. Services in the program include evidence-based curriculum:
– Living-In-Balance – that emphasizes relapse prevention delivering psycho-educational and experiential training.
– Moral Reconation Therapy – a cognitive behavioral approach with a systematic treatment strategy that seeks to decrease recidivism in individuals by increasing moral reasoning. The therapy progressively addresses ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth.
It was not an easy decision for Mr. C. to enroll in the in-jail program, but he has been a shining example of how an individual can turn his life around. An upbringing filled with gangs, violence, substance use, fast money, incarceration and a missing father figure significantly altered his childhood. In the therapeutic community that Mr. C. engages with in-jail, he feels comfortable sharing about his past and the path that led him to get to this point. He also feels more confident in handling all the ups and downs of life and sobriety. Mr. C has increased his understanding of how the ‘street lifestyle’ can be so interwoven into a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and he is committed to forging a healthier path for himself and his family.
Mr. C shared, “Entering jail this time ‘dope sick’ and being faced with charges that could keep me locked away for 20 years – and I am 42 years old now – was like life hitting me in the face. I found out that I might not ever get out of jail.”
When Mr. C. realized that he needed a positive outlet to be able to make a life change, he self-referred into our in-jail substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program. Being a part of the therapeutic community has served as a spring board for Mr. C to re-launch himself back into the world of recovery.
Mr. C has moved into a leadership role in the therapeutic community and offers an authentic and very genuine level of support to others each and every day. Mr. C stated, “I am sick of the old life and really need people to talk to – and people who will listen. This program gives me the tools to gain wisdom and understanding, and is teaching me how to become a better man, dad and human being. I do my best every day.”
Jordan Thornley, Pioneer’s clinical SUD manager in the King County Corrections-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program was moved by Mr. C’s presence from their very first interaction. Mr. Thornley shared, “This is a gentleman who has overcome so much and just keeps on pushing forward. The actions he takes to be the best version of himself, and how he now shows up for his loved ones, is an inspiration.”
Mr. Thornley concluded, “Everyone has a better day when Mr. C is in the therapy group and all of the clinical staff is honored and humbled to be a part of his story.”