“Thinking for a Change” Curriculum 3.1 - Trainer Counselor for T4C

Content
Activity 6: Present a Sample Thinking
Report
Here’s a thinking report done by a member of
another group. This is a good example of
objectivity in a thinking report.
What Happened:
Jim was on supervised release from jail.
Because he was on intensive supervision, he
was allowed to leave home only to go to work
and to come straight back home, without
stopping or visiting friends. The authorities
checked on him several times a week. He was
often caught on small violations: Late coming
home from work; Talking to people he was not
supposed to talk to; Being in places he was not
supposed to be.
Jim was asked to do a thinking report on a
time he went to visit friends when he wasn’t
supposed to.
Let’s review the report.
Notes
reported, no matter what
it is.
C-7-1
Jim’s Thinking Report
Situation: I was in trouble for
being out of the area.
Thoughts:
1. I know that if I do these
things I will be going
back to jail.
2. It’s really starting to get
to me.
3. I feel locked up in my
own apartment.
4. I really resent this
5. I shouldn’t have to
follow these rules.
6. Maybe it would be better
to just go back to jail
and get my sentence
over with.
7. I feel like I’m not in
charge of my life
anymore.
8. I can’t stand it.
Feelings: Uncomfortable,
angry, controlled,
threatened
Attitudes and Beliefs:
Nobody has the right to
control my life.
If I let them do this to me,
I’m a chump.
This report must be
written on chart paper
before the session begins.
Also, you will use this
chart again in lessons 8
and 9. Make sure to keep
this chart!
National Institute of Corrections Pay Attention to Our Thinking
Thinking for a Change
Lesson 7 - 13