Course Description

100% Virtual Offering

Thinking for a Change Facilitator's Training

December 1-11, 2020

*This class is full. Enrollment is closed.*

Click to register for April 13-23, 2021 class.

Training Overview

Training Schedule. Participants must attend and participate in all seven virtual instructor-led training sessions: 

  • Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
  • Friday, December 4, 2020, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
  • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 -11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
  • Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT (short day)
  • Friday, December 11, 2020 - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT

Learning Objectives. The 25 modules of the "Thinking for a Change" program (version 4.0) will be covered as a class, and at the end of the training, facilitator trainees will be able to:

  • Describe theoretical foundations of cognitive behavioral approaches;
  • Articulate the core principles and components of the Thinking for a Change program;
  • Demonstrate a cognitive self-change lesson utilizing the Thinking for a Change program;
  • Demonstrate a social skill lesson utilizing the Thinking for a Change program;
  • Demonstrate a problem solving lesson utilizing the Thinking for a Change program;
  • Plan for the implementation of the program within their agency; and
  • Facilitate groups utilizing the Thinking for a Change program.

Training Prerequisites. There is no special level of education or professional qualifications required to be trained in the Thinking for a Change program. However, an individual who plans to facilitate the Thinking for a Change program should possess the following characteristics: 1) Believe people, including criminal offenders, can change; 2) Does not easily become frustrated by client participants; 3) Is firm, but fair and nonjudgmental; 4) Is consistent when interacting with client participants; 5) Can communicate in an effective manner (e.g. calm, even voice tone); and 6) Has an understanding of cognitive behavioral interventions.

Enrollment: This training is limited to 10 participants and enrollment will close once the limit is reached. Enrollment is not complete until full payment is received. 

Attendance:  Attendance and participation during the entire training is required to receive a certificate of completion.

Format: This is a live virtual instructor-led training that will simulate a traditional classroom experience, including instructor demonstrations of lessons from the program manual, participant role-plays, group discussions, small group exercises, and participant teach backs/try-outs. 

Technology Requirements: To enhance participation in the course, each participant will need high speed internet access and is recommended to attend each session using a laptop/pc/mac computer instead of connecting through a phone/pad. Each session will be highly participatory and participation will require operable audio, microphone and webcam setup. The Zoom video meeting platform will be used.  

Program Material. Enrollment includes a hard copy of the latest version of the Thinking for a Change facilitator's manual (version 4.0) which will be shipped to registrant, as well as an electronic copy of the accompanying program slides and video vignettes. 

Training Prerequisites. There is no special level of education or professional qualifications required to be trained in the Thinking for a Change program. However, an individual who plans to facilitate the Thinking for a Change program should possess the following characteristics: 1) Believe people, including criminal offenders, can change; 2) Does not easily become frustrated by client participants; 3) Is firm, but fair and nonjudgmental; 4) Is consistent when interacting with client participants; 5) Can communicate in an effective manner (e.g. calm, even voice tone); and 6) Has an understanding of cognitive behavioral interventions.

License to use copyrighted material.  Thinking for a Change 4.0 is copyrighted by its authors Jack Bush, PhD, Barry Glick, PhD, and Juliana Taymans, PhD. The authors have granted The Pace Institute, LLC and its’ President, Angela E. Dash, Ph.D., a non-exclusive license to use the copyrighted material for commercial gain. Parties wishing to gain authorization to sell or use Thinking for a Change 4.0 copyrighted materials for commercial gain, should also request the explicit permission of the authors. For more information, contact [email protected].

Completion of Training Does Not Mean "Certified" or "Licensed". Although it is highly recommended, in support of program fidelity and integrity, that one completes at least a 32-hour training program before facilitating a Thinking for a Change group, there is no credentialing process in becoming a Thinking for a Change Facilitator.  Therefore, completing a Thinking for a Change facilitator's training program does not make one a "Certified Thinking for a Change Facilitator" nor a "Licensed Thinking for a Change Facilitator." Those are credentials that do not exist at all - even with the National Institute of Corrections - the agency who produces the program. However, completing facilitators will be provided a certificate documenting their successful completion of a 38.5 hour Thinking for a Change Facilitators’ Training Program delivered by a trainer who has been trained by the National Institute of Corrections, to train other facilitators. Successful completion requires attending and participating in the entire training. 

This is training for facilitators NOT trainers. 

The Thinking for a Change Facilitator's training is NOT the same as the Thinking for a Change Train-the-Trainer class. While this Thinking for a Change Facilitator’s training prepares individuals to facilitate Thinking for a Change groups, it does not prepare individuals to train other facilitators. In order to protect the fidelity of this evidence-based program, it is strongly discouraged by The Pace Institute, as well as the program’s producer – the National Institute of Corrections, for individuals to train other facilitators in the Thinking for a Change program, without at least all of the following qualifications:

  1. Completion of a Thinking for a Change Facilitator’s training of a minimum of 32 hours (this can be obtained by attending this training offered by The Pace Institute);

  2. Facilitation of at least two full cycles of Thinking for a Change groups; and

  3. Completion of a Thinking for a Change Train the Trainer training program.

The Pace Institute only offers the Thinking for a Change Facilitator’s training program. It does not offer the advanced training – “Thinking for a Change Train the Trainer” training program. For more information on advanced training opportunities for qualified Thinking for a Change facilitators who have completed the minimum Thinking for a Change Facilitator’s training and facilitated at least two full cycles of Thinking for a Change groups, contact Angela Dash of The Pace Institute at [email protected].


Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy

Payments. The cost of this training course is $1,250.00. Enrollment is not complete or reserved without payment.

Early Cancellations. You may cancel and receive a full refund, less a $50 processing charge, provided you cancel at least 21 calendar days in advance of the start date of this course. You cannot cancel your enrollment online. To cancel your enrollment, you must contact: [email protected]. Refunds will be issued to the payor of record.

Late cancellations. If you cancel fewer than 21 calendar days before the class, you must, within 6 months, register for and attend another class; otherwise all payments are forfeited to The Pace Institute.

No shows. There is a non-refundable no show-fee. In the case of a no-show, the course fee will not be refunded.

Incomplete course completions. There is a non-refundable fee for incomplete course completions. In the case that you begin this course and do not complete it, the course fee will not be refunded.

The Pace Institute reserves the right to cancel any scheduled class at our discretion. 

Photos, Videos, Audio Recordings. All attendees are advised that The Pace Institute, LLC and others hired by the The Pace Institute, LLC, may photograph, video, and record portions of the training for promotional purposes. In doing so, The Pace Institute, LLC strives to have an honorable approach to obtaining and using the content for promotional purposes. The photography, videography, and recording content is the property of The Pace Institute, LLC and may be used for promotional purposes (e.g., electronic and printed publications, websites, educational use, event ads, etc.) without further permission of the subjects/attendees. As a general practice, there is no attempt to collect individual release forms unless there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. In cases where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, The Pace Institute, LLC will make a reasonable effort to contact every person in the photo and to obtain a signed release form allowing The Pace Institute, LLC to use the photo, video and/or recording for promotional purposes.

What is Thinking for a Change?

Thinking for a Change (T4C) is an integrated cognitive behavioral change program authored by Jack Bush, Ph.D., Barry Glick, Ph.D., and Juliana Taymans, Ph.D., under a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). T4C incorporates research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and the learning and use of problem solving skills and has been evidenced to reduce recidivism. 

T4C is comprised of 25 lessons that build upon each other, and contains appendices that can be used to craft an aftercare program to meet ongoing cognitive behavioral needs of offender groups. Not all lessons can be completed in one session, so a typical delivery cycle may take 30 sessions. Sessions should last between one and two hours. Ideally, the curriculum is delivered two times per week, with a minimum recommended dosage of once per week and a maximum of three times per week. Participants must be granted time to complete mandatory homework between each lesson.

The program is designed to be provided to offender populations - adults and youth, males and females. It is intended for groups of eight to twelve and should be delivered only by trained facilitators. Due to its integrated structure, T4C is a closed group, meaning members need to start at the beginning of a cycle, and may not join the group mid-stream (lesson five is a logical cut-off point for new group members).

Outline of 25  Lesson Curriculum

  • Lesson 1: Introduction
  • Lesson 2: Active Listening
  • Lesson 3: Asking Questions
  • Lesson 4: Giving Feedback
  • Lesson 5: Knowing Your Feelings
  • Lesson 6: Thinking Controls Our Behavior
  • Lesson 7: Pay Attention to Our Thinking
  • Lesson 8: Recognize Risk
  • Lesson 9: Use New Thinking
  • Lesson 10: Thinking Check-In
  • Lesson 11: Understand the Feelings of Others
  • Lesson 12: Making a Complaint
  • Lesson 13: Apologizing
  • Lesson 14: Responding to Anger
  • Lesson 15: Negotiating
  • Lesson 16: Introduction to Problem Solving
  • Lesson 17: Stop and Think
  • Lesson 18: State the Problem
  • Lesson 19: Set a Goal and Gather Information
  • Lesson 20: Practice Problem Solving Skills 1-3
  • Lesson 21: Think of Choices and Consequences
  • Lesson 22: Make a Plan
  • Lesson 23: Do and Evaluate
  • Lesson 24: Problem Solving - Application
  • Lesson 25: Next Steps
  • Appendix A: Cognitive Self-Change Aftercare Template
  • Appendix B: Social Skills Aftercare Template
  • Appendix C: 50 Social Skills
  • Appendix D: Problem Solving Skills Aftercare Template

Research: Thinking for a Change Annotated Bibliography

Thinking for a Change in the media.


Instructor

Angela Dash, PhD, PCC

Dr. Dash is a trusted trainer, coach and conflict management professional. She started facilitating the Thinking for a Change group program in 2006 and has facilitated the program to both juvenile and adult populations. After completing the National Institute of Correction’s Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers in 2009, she has delivered the Thinking for a Change Facilitator’s Training Program to professionals from across the United States and also provides mentoring to new facilitators and provides a 2-Day Thinking for a Change (T4C) Advanced Practice Skills training and training in Motivational Interviewing, to boost the practice of current T4C facilitators.

Course curriculum