Intervention Principles and Practice Guidelines for - Underage ...

Justice Institute, 2004). Cognitive behavioral interventions may include those focused on one or more
of the following areas (King County, 2005; Lipsey, Landberger, & Wilson, 2007):
• Cognitive self-control;
• Anger management;
• Social perspective taking;
• Moral reasoning;
• Social problem-solving;
• Attitude change;
• Interpersonal skill building.
CBT interventions provide skill training and must include opportunities for participants to practice
using new skills through role-playing and other means that allow staff to reinforce prosocial attitudes
and behaviors (Crime and Justice Institute, 2004).
A summary of the essential elements of individual-level intervention programs, based on current
research, is provided in Exhibit V-j.
Exhibit V-j
Intervention Programs Should Include the Following Elements
• Effective assessment tools should be used to match clients with appropriate levels of care.
• Treatment should be delivered in the least restrictive setting.
• Comprehensive services that address the problems identified by the assessment process should
be delivered. Intervention should consist of a continuum of care with an array of coordinated
services and supports.
• Treatment programs should be specific to the developmental needs of youth and young adults
and help them make internal commitments to change.
• Gender and culturally competent programs should be implemented.
• Involvement of the family or a family substitute should be included in all aspects of intervention.
• Family therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy should be incorporated.
• Life skills, decision-making, and coping skills education and training should be integrated in
the intervention services provided.
• Efforts must be made to engage and retain offenders in treatment.
• Relapse prevention should be emphasized.
Source: King County, 2005, p. 37
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