About Thinking For a Change 5.0
WHAT SETS US APART IS OUR UNIQUE EDGE
T4C 5.0 reflects the collective wisdom and experience of facilitators, trainers, authors, and the latest innovations in program delivery. Evidence Based Strategists, Inc, under a cooperative agreement, completed a total revision and modernization of the original T4C program. T4C 5.0 incorporates developments in the field of cognitive behavioral interventions and improves upon the original product in both format, content, delivery, and fidelity.​ T4C has been the subject of many studies and has routinely proven to be effective in reducing recidivism when implemented with integrity. Whether you are just embarking on implementing the Thinking for A Change 5.0 program for the first time or if your agency has been delivering T4C for some time, mounting research indicates that evidence-based innovations alone do not create the desired impact; rather, they must be supported by evidence-based implementation.
Tool Kit
OUR TEACHING TOOLS
GO BEYOND THE BASICS
Visual
Interactive
Audible
Remote + In Person
Bilingual
History of Thinking For A Change 5.0
Thinking for a Change 5.0 is a new and improved design for the theoretical and
philosophical foundation of the program to flourish in the newer technologies of the 21st
century. The new authors have further synthesized the three fundamental components of
T4C to make the intervention more seamless such that each component shares each
other's processes and conceptual content. The three components of Thinking for a Change
are: Cognitive Self-Change, Social Skills, and Problem-Solving skills. Cognitive Self-
Change teaches individuals a concrete process for self-reflection aimed at uncovering
thinking patterns that support risky behavior. Social Skills instruction prepares group
members to engage in pro-social interactions based on self-understanding and
consideration of the impact of their actions on others. Problem-Solving skills integrate the
two previous interventions to provide group members with an explicit step-by-step process
for addressing challenging and stressful real-life situations that address conflicts in their
everyday lives.
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Timeline
1997
THINKING FOR A CHANGE
2016
THINKING FOR A CHANGE 4.0
2024
THINKING FOR A CHANGE 5.0
Thinking for a Change (also known as T4C) was first designed and introduced in the late 1990’s as a promising cognitive behavioral intervention for individuals involved with the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Cognitive behavioral programs have evolved, impacted by a variety of theoreticians and practitioners. Much of the seminal work in cognitive interventions focused on cognitive restructuring aimed at addressing individuals’ thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs. This work is reflected by the contributions of Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis, Stanton Samenow, Samuel Yochelson, Robert Ross, Elizabeth Fabiano, and Jack Bush. Parallel to the development of the cognitive restructuring interventions, several social scientists were also exploring cognitive skills training as a form of psycho- social-educational intervention. Individuals such as Albert Bandura, Donald Meichenbaum, George Spivak, Myrna Shure, Arnold Goldstein, Barry Glick, and Juliana Taymans developed strategies and curricula to teach skills that support pro-social interactions. The work of these individuals set the foundation and benchmarks for many of the programs and cognitive behavioral curricula currently developed and implemented, including those used throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems. ​ From the first edition of Thinking for a Change (1997) to Thinking for a Change 4.0 (2016) NIC and original T4C authors set a standard for effective cognitive behavioral interventions. Those original authors took on the ambitious task of synthesizing the concepts and tools from both cognitive restructuring and cognitive skills paradigms into an integrated intervention. The program has been taught to more than 10,000 facilitators and over 1,000 trainers of facilitators. The history and legacy of the T4C program is rich with inspiring efforts and success stories of graduates and corrections professionals working towards risk reduction and behavioral change. ​ These efforts and innovation over the years have contributed to the revisions of the program. Thinking for a Change 5.0 is the culmination of the knowledge of the original authors, the efforts, and insights of corrections professionals, and in the innovations of the project team of Evidence Based Strategists, Inc.
Example
Audio + Visuals
We went the extra mile to provide new assets to fit the modern day client. With over 25 video and audio aids in both English and Spanish, we've got you covered.
The sample above is a compilation of clips from various lessons to relay the quality that our program provides. Videos are available in both English and Spanish for further accessibility. Each video is an aid with a lesson plan to ensure understanding.