THE VERBAL HAIRCUT

RD ROSA H. LACANGLACANG
NATIONAL TC TEAM
2013
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session, participants
shall have:
1. Gained better understanding of
the principles of verbal haircut
as a behavior shaping tool.
2. Enhanced knowledge and skills
on the proper procedure of
conducting haircut for clients in
the PPA-DOJ setting.
ACTIVITY

1. FISHBOWL : “DEMO” on
Verbal Haircut as a Behavior
Shaping Tool.

2. Other participants act as

observers.
QUESTIONS:

 How did you feel while doing the

role play?
 How did you feel while observing
the activity?
 Were the proper procedures
observed? If not, what should
have been done?
 WHAT IS VERBAL HAIRCUT?
 A dramatic behavior shaping TC tool,
VERBAL HAIRCUT can effectively
stomp out undesirable attitudes &
behavior that goes against
community norms. “Haircut”
connotes the way we sport hairstyles
which is one way of projecting the
image we want others to perceive us.
(PERFAS 2003).
WHAT IS VERBAL HAIRCUT?
 It requires a balance between pointing
out unacceptable behavior & using
motivational statements.
 Example: “Your tough guy behavior is not
necessary in this environment, I’m sure
you will protect this place from turning
into a prison or a drug den. I know you
are capable of showing a caring behavior
you just don’t know how to show it yet.”
 WHAT IS VERBAL HAIRCUT?
 Cutting the hair short for someone
whose hairstyle is tied to drug
abuse lifestyle or street image is a
symbolic way of turning ones back
on what it used to represent. The
“verbal haircut” evokes the same
image: the ritual of ridding oneself
of the past.
(PERFAS 2003).
WHAT IS VERBAL HAIRCUT?
 The verbal haircut points out to
client the connection between his
present and past attitude and
behavior.
 Client needs to sharpen his
awareness and change his ways
for the better.
Booking for a Haircut

1. Complaining client reports

incident to his Team Leader, or if
not present, to the Supervising
PPO or VPA.

2. This is recorded in the office’s

Incident Book.
Booking for a Haircut

3. SO/VPA verifies the incident &

reports/recommends it to the
CPPO/OIC.

4. CPPO/OIC approves or
disapproves the recommendation
for Verbal Haircut.
Sample Behavior that may be
subject of Haircut:
 At least 2x consecutive absence
during a TC day without valid
reason.
 Two successive tardiness
without valid reason
 Loud behavior
 Disrespect
Sample Behavior for Haircut:
 Repeated behavior that has been
subjected to “Deal With” or “Speak
To”
 Not doing his/her assigned task.

 Any other behavior as determined

by the staff to be a subject for
haircut.
Haircut Process: Preparations
1. Client is given notice of haircut
beforehand.
2. Selection of the haircut team (5-6)
a. SO on case &/or CPPO/OIC
b. Supervising VPA
(if absent, another VPA
preferably TC-trained)
Haircut Process: Preparations

c. Team leader
d. Two Peers
> younger member of
TC Family
> friend with positive
influence over client
Haircut Process: Preparations

3. Plan desired outcome:

a. Who will say what when
> Focus on the different aspects
of client’s behavior and
attitude, and connect to the
TC norms.
Haircut Process: Preparations

 Team members should never use

this opportunity to express
feelings of hostility or personal
vengeance, but rather as a means
of teaching the erring client
about his undesirable behavior.
Haircut Process: Preparations
3. Plan desired outcome:

b. In what manner each member

will speak (tone, intensity, etc.)
c. What appropriate learning
experience (LE) can be given
d. Who will do the patch up
Haircut Process: Preparations
4. The Setting
a. The room of the CPPO/OIC can be
used for the verbal haircut, or any
other room in the office where
privacy can be assured.
b. Seats of the haircut team are in a
horseshoe arrangement.
The Haircut Chair
1. Before the actual haircut, while the
client is waiting to be called into the
haircut room, he is told to sit on a chair
just outside the door. Several minutes
are allowed for this to maximize level of
anxiety.

2. When called by a team member, Client

brings his chair and sits before the
team.
The Haircut Proper
1. Member of the haircut team
(preferably expediter) will
notify erring client to enter
the haircut room.

2. Moderator (CPPO/OIC or SO)

asks erring client 2-3 questions
as a reality check.
 The Haircut Proper

3. In a pre-arranged manner, each

team member delivers his own
piece in varying tones and
intensity of voice, looks and
words.
Show worry and disapproval.
.
.
 The Haircut Proper

4. Toward the end, moderator:

a. Summarizes what had transpired.

b. Asks client how he/she may make
up for unacceptable behavior.
c. Gets commitment and demands
new behavior.
.

.
The Haircut Proper
EXAMPLES
a. Peers - express in a worried tone the
possibility of client’s probation being
revoked
b. Supervising VPA – gives advice in a
moderate tone of voice.
c. Team Leader - gives admonition in a
raised, intense voice.
 The Haircut Proper: Example
d. CPPO/SO –summarizes the incident,
emphasizes the gravity of the
misbehavior & draws out client’s
commitment on how to make up for
the misbehavior. (Empower the person
by using motivational statements, like
“I know you are capable of doing better.
I have seen you do well in the past, etc.)
Learning Experience

 Learning Experience is employed

to facilitate a conscious learning
process, enhance self-awareness
by teaching instead of meting out
routine punishment.
 Learning Experience

• In giving an LE, staff should ensure

that it is commensurate/appropriate
for the misbehavior and with a time
frame to have impact.

ex. For repeated tardiness, a client

may be required to check attendance
of fellow clients for 5 TC days
 The Emotional Patch-Up
In the words of Dr. Fernando B. Perfas:

“When client steps out of the “haircut

room”, other family members will also
approach to talk and listen to him and
provide him with an emotional “patch-
up”. This supportive gesture by his
peers is an important component of
the whole haircut experience.
 The Emotional Patch-Up
In the words of Dr. Fernando B. Perfas:
“Besides the emotional support provided,
it will reassure him that he can bounce
back and get a better hold of himself, his
peers help clarify the behavior and
attitude that could cause more problem
in the future, should he fail to correct
them. This process helps maximize the
learning experience that results from the
haircut.” (Perfas, 2003)
Application

Write in your journal insights

gained from this session.
MARAMIMG SALAMAT PO!