NCJ Number
64479
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 201-207
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF CLIENT-CENTERED TECHNIQUES IN WEST GERMAN PROBATION ASSISTANCE IS ADVOCATED.
Abstract
THE PREREQUISITE FOR SUCCESSFUL PROBATION ASSISTANCE IS A RELATION OF TRUST BETWEEN PROBATIONER AND PROBATION OFFICER. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC EXPERTS REPORT THAT NONDIRECTIVE, CLIENT-CENTERED TECHNIQUES ARE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN ESTABLISHING SUCH A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIENT AND COUNSELOR. CLIENT-ORIENTED ASSISTANCE DOES NOT CONCENTRATE ON ONE PARTICULAR PROBLEM OF THE EX-OFFENDER, OR IT TRIES TO PREACH A PARTICULAR MESSAGE BUT EMPHASIZES (1) AN EMPATHY WITH THE CLIENT'S EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES, (2) AN UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF AND RESPECT FOR THE CLIENT, AND (3) SINCERE AND CONSISTENT BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE COUNSELOR, WHICH EVOKE IN THE CLIENT THE FEELING OF WELL-BEING AND TRUST NECESSARY TO IMPROVE HIS SELF-ESTEEM AND BRING ABOUT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES. IN ACQUAINTING SOCIAL WORKERS WITH THE CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH, INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS EVOKED POSITIVE RESPONSES; PROBATION OFFICERS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE OVERCOMING THE INSECURITY THEY HAD FELT BEFORE IN COUNSELING SITUATIONS. THE ONLY DIFFICULTY RAISED WAS HOW TO UNITE THE CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH WITH INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS AND REGULATIONS. IN MAKING THEIR DECISIONS, MANY SOCIAL WORKERS LET THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE CLIENT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER OFFICIAL RULES. CONVERSELY, IN BEING OFFERED THIS FREEDOM OF CHOICE, THE PROBATIONER SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TREATMENT. NATURALLY, A 'NONDIRECTIVE PROBATIONAL AID' AS SUCH IS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR DESIRABLE; HOWEVER, THE CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH CAN IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE INCREASE AN EX-OFFENDER'S CHANCES OF REHABILITATION. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS A BIBLIOGRAPHY. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)