Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)

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Moral Reconation Therapy is a systematic treatment strategy that seeks to decrease recidivism among juvenile and adult criminal and substance abuse offenders by increasing moral reasoning. Its cognitive-behavioral approach combines elements from a variety of psychological traditions to progressively address ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth. Traditionally, Moral Reconation Therapy takes the form of group and individual counseling using structured group exercises and prescribed homework assignments. The Moral Reconation Therapy workbook is structured around 16 objectively defined steps focusing on seven basic treatment issues: confrontation of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors; assessment of current relationships; reinforcement of positive behavior and habits; positive identity formation; enhancement of self-concept; decrease in hedonism and development of frustration tolerance; and development of higher stages of moral reasoning. Under normal outpatient MRT, participants meet in groups once or twice weekly and can complete all steps of the MRT program in a minimum of 3 to 6 months. The group is open ended and will have members at several different steps in the group at any given time.