Introduction to the

Therapeutic Community
Introduction to the
Therapeutic Community
Introduction
You have made a wise choice to enter this drug treatment program while
serving your time.

To acquire the tools and skills to succeed in this program, you will learn the
structure, function and fundamental concepts of a therapeutic community.

What you will learn

The Introduction to the Therapeutic Community Journal will give you an
opportunity to:

◆ Understand how to work together to bring about positive change.

◆ Explore the structure and function of a Therapeutic Community.

◆ Learn the cardinal rules.

◆ Examine your role as a member of the community.

◆ Consider important concepts within the community.

◆ Learn Therapeutic Community tools.

Name Date

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 What is a therapeutic community?
You are a member of a therapeutic others. That’s done by being willing
community. A therapeutic community to learn about yourself. The phrase
treatment model is one in which “Act as if” will be helpful when you
participants are taught to work with are trying to learn something about
one another. Community members yourself that is new and difficult to
promote self-change by becoming understand and accept. This learning
positive role models for one another process will require you to develop
under the guidance of the staff. new, responsible ways to live and then
to model those behaviors for others in
You may be wondering how you can the community.
become a positive role model for

STRUCTURE

RESPO
NSIBILITY
Y
ACCOUNTABILIT

What does being a member of a therapeutic community mean to you?

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 What is a therapeutic community? (cont.)
Structure and function
A central part of the therapeutic may understand how the community
community treatment model is a operates. Having a well-run structure
structure board that has many job is critical to a successful treatment
functions. The lines of responsibility community. You must be willing to
or chain of command of the structure learn all job functions, teach other
board are clearly marked and must members of your community and hold
be followed. Participants will be one another accountable in order for
Did you know? taught the different job functions the structure to function properly.
as thoroughly as possible so they
A therapeutic
community
treatment What skills do you have today that can help you become a positive role
model is model for other members of the therapeutic community?
one in which
participants
are taught to
work with one
another.

Why do you think structure is important to the success of the therapeutic

community?

Are you willing to take responsibility and be held accountable for the
therapeutic community to run successfully? yes no… Explain your
answer.

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 TC structure board
Here is what a structure board looks community and carrying out these
like. One of your tasks will be to learn job functions is a critical part of the
the structure board and the various job treatment program.
functions. Being part of the treatment

Coordinator
Department Head
Senior Senior
Coordinator Coordinator

Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator

Unit Scribe Logician Orientation Media, Laundry Service

Expeditor
Clerk Dept. Dept. Dept. Educ. & Dept. Crew
Dept.
Dept. Head Head Head Rec. Dept. Head Dept.
Head
Head Head Head

Unit Senior Orientors Education Laundry Ram

Scribes Logicians
Clerks Expeditors Coord. Crew Rod

Expeditor Media Crew

Crew Members

Recreation
Crew

What basic skills do you possess that will help you carry out the job
function you are assigned?

How can you be of help to other members of the therapeutic community

as they carry out their job functions?

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 Making a therapeutic community…
The therapeutic community program and criminal thinking patterns, which
is a positive environment for learning are destructive to individuals and the
how to be accountable for one’s life of the program. It is a place to set
choices in a caring community goals, develop discipline and practice
where members can help themselves behaviors that lead to successful
and each other make positive living. It is a place where you learn
changes. Staff and residents work to let go of a “victim mentality”
together to establish and maintain a and incorporate an “accountability
positive, growth-filled environment. mentality” into all of your
Community members focus on relationships. The program allows
behavioral change, accountability you a chance to change, to confront
and confronting attitudes, behaviors mistakes and accept responsibility for
your life.

Notice: Cardinal rules of the therapeutic community

Violation of a everyday life. It is also
cardinal rule Following rules is an important part of
community. If your goal
may result essential to ensure your success in this
nge, it will be up to you
in expulsion is positive and permanent lifestyle cha
the program.
from the to follow the rules and procedures of
program.
followed in order to
The following cardinal rules must be
participate in this program.
.
1. No escape or attempts to escape
bodily harm.
2. No violence or imminent threats of
3. No possession or use of weapons.
other drugs nor
4. No possession or use of alcohol or
.
refusal to submit to urinalysis testing
ted activities,
5. No gang-related or racially motiva
/or recruiting.
specifically violence, intimidation and

6. No sexual misconduct.

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 …work for you
Why is following rules an important part of this program?

Here are other rules and procedures I will follow:

“Successful
living
requires me
to follow
rules and
regulations;
even when
I find them
frustrating.”

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 ‘Things about me as a member…
If you are going to make changes in your
lifestyle, it is necessary to know as much about
your total self as possible.

When you look into a mirror, who do you see

looking back at you? How do you describe
that person… not just in terms of what
appears on the outside, but what do you see
coming through from the inside?

The more you can reflect on who you are

today and how you wish to change, the closer
you will move to living a more responsible life.

Check (✔) all of the phrases that describe you. Use the blank spaces
to add some of your own phrases that aren’t on the list. Don’t try to
“overthink” your answers. Be spontaneous and open.

I don’t fit in anywhere. I’m easily persuaded.

I make friends easily. I don’t feel worthy of love.

I often feel frightened. I’m fun to be around.

I’m self-centered. I lie a lot.

I’m not as intelligent as I like to con people.

most of my friends.
I don’t like myself very much.
I am easily angered.
I like my family.
I like to win.
I’m smart.
I like to be alone.
I laugh a lot.
I’m ashamed of many things
I’ve done. I take good care of myself.

I like to take the easy route. I dream a lot.

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 …of a therapeutic community’
You overhear your best friend describing you to a stranger. This is what
you think you would hear…

This is what I dislike most about me…

Did you know?

This is what I like most about me…
Your success
in the
therapeutic
community
will depend
in large
measure on
I don’t want people to think My feelings are easily hurt.
knowing who
I’m not hip. you are and
I like to be on the edge.
sharing your
I lack confidence. knowledge
I follow others.
of yourself
I’m tough.
I complete what I start. with other
members of
I get my way.
I often feel lonely. your drug
treatment
I’m funny.
I’m too hard on myself. program.
I’m critical of others.
I ignore the views of others.
I have enough energy for 10
people. _______________________

I often feel misunderstood. _______________________

I like to work out. _______________________

I scare people. _______________________

Now go back over your list and circle the three phrases you checked
that best describe you.

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 Important concepts…
The therapeutic community program As a member of the community, you
helps participants learn how to will be helped in your efforts to learn
be accountable for their choices about yourself and model appropriate
and behavior in a positive, caring behaviors for others by learning
environment. and practicing the following 10 key
concepts.

Important concepts to know and practice

• Help yourself/help each other • Make a connection with the
• Acting as if community
• No we/they dichotomy • Role modeling
• Learn and model pro-social • Respect staff as rational
values authorities
• Establish a common belief
system
• Maintain accurate records
• Earn your privileges

• Help yourself/help each other

In the therapeutic community, members work together to help each other and
themselves. “I am my brother’s keeper” is a given. There is great therapeutic
value in one addict helping another.

What does the phrase, “I am my brother’s keeper” mean to you?

Why is this concept important in a therapeutic community?

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 …to know and practice
• Acting as if
If a person acts a certain way long enough, he will begin to feel that way and change
his attitude in that direction. For example, if you act like a positive person you will
soon feel like a positive person and be comfortable doing it.

Describe a situation when you think “Acting as if” will be a useful tool for you.

• No we/they dichotomy
In the therapeutic community the differences are minimized. While there is
value in the differences among cultural and ethnic backgrounds, all participants
suffer from the common problems of addiction. All members are given equal
opportunity to succeed.

Why do you think it is important to minimize the differences among

members of the therapeutic community?

• Learn and model pro-social values

The learning process in the therapeutic community comes from the community
itself. The community is the agent of change. In a healthy therapeutic community,
one learns positive pro-social values and models them in the community.

How can you benefit from the way learning takes place in a therapeutic
community?

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 Important concepts…
• Establish a common belief system
In the therapeutic community there is a common belief that people can and do
change for the better if they so choose.

Do you believe people can and do change for the better if they so
choose? ❑ yes ❑ no… Explain your answer.

• Maintain accurate records

Recordkeeping means completing and turning in all paperwork to the best of one’s
ability. Good recordkeeping helps the residents and staff run the program well. It
improves the quality of the therapeutic community so that each resident’s personal
growth can be facilitated, safety can be maintained and progress can be documented.
Good recordkeeping also lets the resident show his involvement in the community.

What skills do you have that will be of benefit in maintaining accurate records?

• Earn your privileges

One of the most basic beliefs in the therapeutic community is that you earn what
you get. Members of the community are expected to work and grow. “Doing
time” is not what the community is all about. All privileges are earned.

What do you think is the difference between earning what you get and
“doing time?”

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 …to know and practice (continued)
• Make a connection with the community
When residents first enter treatment, their connection is with the community of the “street.”
The therapeutic community is a new environment and is quite different in terms of beliefs,
values, behaviors and expectations. In the beginning the therapeutic community challenges
old beliefs and attitudes. The community, over time, believes and expects that what it
has to offer is valuable and beneficial. Residents are asked and are expected to join other
community members around the common bond of a substance-free and crime-free lifestyle.

Describe your willingness today to join other community members in the common bond
to lead substance-free and crime-free lives.

• Role modeling
Throughout your life, you have learned from others. Much of this learning came from
watching their behaviors. Sometimes you watched on purpose and other times you may
have been unaware that you were learning from what you observed. In the therapeutic
community it is often said: “If you’re going to talk the talk, walk the walk.” When you
learn by watching others, you are learning from what they model.

What does the phrase, “If you’re going to talk the talk, walk the walk” mean to you?

• Respect staff as rational authorities

In the past therapeutic community members have not seen or trusted authority figures
as guides and teachers. Staff in the therapeutic community serve as positive role models
and are considered Rational Authorities. They provide reasons for their decisions and
the meaning of consequences. Staff facilitate and correct, rather than punish, behaviors.

How can you show respect for the staff as rational authorities?

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 Tools add structure…
In addition to the key concepts you will use as a member of the therapeutic
community, there are 10 tools that are an essential part of the program as well.
You will be expected to understand and accept each of the therapeutic community
tools and know how they are used.

Therapeutic Community Tools

• Pull up
This is a verbal comment to someone to make him aware of a
negative action or behavior. The proper response to a pull up is to
say, “Thank you,” and then correct the behavior.

• Talking to
When someone has been pulled up for negative behavior and failed
to correct it, the next step would be a “talking to.” The “talking
to” tool is used by upper structure members or staff.

• Learning experience
Dr. George DeLeon teaches that therapeutic communities are “…
environments engineered for social learning.” Learning experiences
are given to help residents focus on problems that are caused by
their behaviors and look at solutions to correct them. Learning
experiences typically consist of three areas: Behavioral, Cognitive
and Social.

• Behavioral learning experiences consist of actions to focus one’s

attention on what is causing problems;
• Cognitive learning experiences consist of looking at one’s
thinking;
• Social learning experiences consist of how one’s actions affect
the community.

• Ticket
A ticket is a written pull up given by expeditors, department heads
or senior residents. There is usually a learning experience given
with a ticket to help the person correct the behavior that is causing
problems. All tickets and learning experiences are approved after
investigation and agreement by treatment staff.

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…to a therapeutic community

• Therapeutic peer reprimand

A therapeutic peer reprimand is used to raise an individual’s
awareness of negative or destructive behavior. This creates an

Therapeutic Community Tool

opportunity to teach appropriate behavior that is acceptable.
Therapeutic peer reprimands can be conducted in front of the
community or in a room with a panel and counselor.

• Ban contract
Two people who feed into each other’s negativity might be banned
from hanging out together for a period of time.

• Glue contract
This is a contract used when two clients would benefit from knowing
each other at a deeper level. This contract is used to help clients gain

s
insight into each other’s culture or belief systems.

• Encounter slip
Used to get someone in your Encounter Group to encounter another
member about his behavior or to determine how another member is
doing in the program. Encountering is done out of care and concern
to help the community member and the community.

• Encounter groups
This includes both “encounter process” and “special groups.” This
group is considered the “heartbeat” of a therapeutic community.
Many of the residents’ behavioral changes are the direct result of the
interactions experienced in these groups.

• Act As If
If a person acts a certain way long enough, he will begin to feel that
way and will change his attitude or behavior in that direction.

Why do the 10 tools play an important role in the structure of the

therapeutic community?

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 ‘My review’
The main knowledge and attitudes I gained from Introduction to the
Therapeutic Community are:

Knowledge:

Attitudes:

Based on my experience with this Journal, I want to do the work in the

following areas:

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