UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

College of Criminal Justice Education

MODULE in CA3 (Therapeutic Community Modality)

Course: CA 3
Course Title: Therapeutic Community Modality
Course Credits: 2 units
Contact Hours/week: 3 hours lecture/week
Prerequisite: Criminology 1/CA1

Course Description:

The course covers the study of therapeutic communities as an approach to rehabilitation of person
deprived of liberty (PDL).

Course Outcomes: At the end of the trimester, the students are expected to have:
1. Explain the therapeutic community model of counseling related to
treatment of PDL’s.
2: Apply the ethical standards and laws related to TC
3: Integrate relapse prevention and recovery programs
4: Explain the overall goals and objectives of the TC and identify the basic
components. Identify contributions made by forerunners of today's TC, describe distinctive
features such as language, "community as method" and rational authority.
5: Explain the role of abstinence in developing positive lifestyle changes. Develop an
understanding of the importance of a self-help group in maintaining abstinence.
6: Identify the importance of integrating social and psychological goals within the treatment
setting.

Module 12

This module is an adaptation of the Therapeutic Community Curriculum of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment
 THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

 Distinguish similarities and dissimilarities of TC’s in other countries and the Philippines
 Identify the Methods used by the PPA in implementing TC

Instructional Materials:

 PowerPoint slides
 Resource Sheet

Teaching-Learning Activity/Lesson Proper:

PAROLE AND PROBATION ADMINISTRATION

WHAT IS TC?

The Therapeutic Community (TC) is an environment that helps people get help while helping others. It
is a treatment environment: the interactions of its members are designed to be therapeutic within the
context of the norms that require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist. At a given moment,
one may be in a client role when receiving help or support from others because of a problem behavior
or when experiencing distress. At another time, the same person assumes a therapist role when
assisting or supporting another person in trouble.

 HOW DOES TC LOOK LIKE?

The operation of the community itself is the task of the residents, working under staff supervision.
Work assignments, called “job functions” are arranged in a hierarchy, according to seniority, individual
progress and productivity. These include conducting all house services, such as cooking, cleaning,
kitchen service, minor repair, serving as apprentices and running all departments, conducting meetings
and peer encounter groups.

The TC operates in a similar fashion to a functional family with a hierarchical structure of older and
younger members. Each member has a defined role and responsibilities for sustaining the proper
functioning of the TC. There are sets of rules and community norms that members upon entry commit
to live by and uphold.

 WHAT ARE THE SALIENT FEATURES OF TC?

1. The primary “therapist” and teacher is the community itself, consisting of peers and staff, who,
as role models of successful personal change, serve as guides in the recovery process.
2. TC adheres to precepts of right living: Truth/honesty; Here and now; Personal responsibility
This module is an adaptation of the Therapeutic Community Curriculum of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment
 for destiny; Social responsibility (brother’s keeper); Moral Code; Inner person is “good” but
behavior can be “bad”; Change is the only certainty; Work ethics; Self-reliance; Psychological
converges with philosophical (e.g. guilt kills)
3. It believes that TC is a place where: One can change – unfold; the group can foster change;
individuals must take responsibility; structures must accommodate this; Act as if – go through
the motion.
4. There are 5 distinct categories of activity that help promote the change:

 Relational/Behavior Management
 Affective/Emotional/Psychological
 Cognitive/Intellectual
 Spiritual
 Psychomotor/Vocational-Survival Skills

 These tools serve more than just the purpose of curbing unproductive behavior. They are also a means
used for enforcing community sanctions on behavior that undermine the safety and integrity of the
community such as violations of the cardinal rules of TC: NO drugs, NO violence or threat of violence,
NO sexual acting out and NO stealing! Everything an officer does is meant to erase “street behavior”
and to lead the offender to be committed to “right living”.

When the office gives seminars and tutorials, arranges activities focused on the Higher Power,
conducts games, educational trips and other recreational activities, we touch on the TC aspect of
Intellectual and Spiritual Dimension. Aside from the role of a direct supervisor, the VPAs may be the
invited resource persons, donors/sponsors, facilitators, lecturers, etc. during these seminars.

The skills training and livelihood activities fall within the purview of TC’s Vocational and Survival
Skills, so with Medical/Dental Clinics and Environmental Conservation activities. In this aspect, the
VPAs can facilitate job placement and can tap community resources for clients social and physical
needs.

Therapeutic Community is a tool that the Administration uses to prepare the client for reintegration to
the community as a reformed, rehabilitated, productive, drug-free and law abiding person.

 WHAT IS THE TC MISSION?

 To promote human and social transformation among our clients and among ourselves.

 WHAT IS THE TC VISION?

By the end of this decade, TC shall have become the corporate culture of the Parole and Probation
Administration permeating its plans, programs, and practices, and confirming its status as a model
component of the Philippine Correctional System.

This module is an adaptation of the Therapeutic Community Curriculum of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment
Enhancement Activity/Outcome:

Identifying Best Practices in Therapeutic Community

Identify 5 countries that has a history of use of the therapeutic Community Modality. Compare
it with the system implemented in the Philippines. Use the format below.

1 Day
Comparative Therapeutic Modality
Countries Similarity with the Dissimilarity with the
Philippines TC Philippines TC
Approach Approach
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Journal Entry #12

1. Students are required to have one journal using excel. The design and format will be
dependent on the student provided it has all the elements required for this course. (Design
10 minutes and format is included in the assessment) Journals shall be shared with the instructor using
google drive to be updated every meeting.

2.Twelfth Journal Entry. The student shall answer the following questions
a. What differences do TC in the Philippines has that is different from the previous
lessons?
b. what modifications do you wish to include in that system used by the PPA?

Further Readings:

De Leon, G. (2000) Therapeutic Communities: Theory, Model and Method. New York: Springer
Publishing Company, Inc., 2000.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

This module is an adaptation of the Therapeutic Community Curriculum of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment
References:

This module is an adaptation of the Therapeutic Community Curriculum of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment