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Updated:
31-Aug-2007


 
Phase 1 Summary
 Phase 2 Summary
 Publication List
Guest Newsletter Article
Research Summaries
 Newsletter Stories		 Mapping Manuals: for node-link mapping, counseling technique used in CETOP, including guide maps
Downward Spiral board game: description and ordering information: (PDF; 130KB / 1 page)


Highlights

Title: Cognitive Enhancements for Treatment of Probationers (CETOP)
Principal Investigator: Donald F. Dansereau, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: D. Dwayne Simpson, Ph.D.
Project Director: Sandra M. Dees, Ph.D.
Project Scientists: Michael L. Czuchry, Ph.D. and Tiffiny Sia, Ph.D.
Funded by: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Project Period Phase 1: September 1994 through August 2000
Project Period Phase 2: March 2000 through March 2005

CETOP Phase 1 Summary

The focus of the first 5-year phase of the CETOP Project (Cognitive Enhancements for the Treatment of Probationers) was to study the impact of enhancing mandated substance abuse treatment with cognitive/behavioral tools. The Tarrant County Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) was a 4-month intensive residential treatment program for 420 probationers each year. This facility was located in the Community Correctional Facility in Mansfield, Texas, and shared a physical plant with two other units (a boot camp and a halfway house). Probationers mandated by judges to the SATF spent their 4 months in a small “community” of residents, where counseling was provided daily. The program also offered a variety of educational and life management activities. Standard treatment program components included (1) a modified therapeutic community approach, (2) counseling to provide professional guidance and support in recovery efforts, (3) special induction and transition sessions to plan for treatment, and later, for recovery maintenance, and (4) life skills instruction and recovery education activities.

Core elements of the cognitive enhancement system introduced by this project were node-link mapping, motivational tools, cognitive skills activities, and scripted collaboration. These tools were used independently and interactively to enhance the drug abuse treatment components at the SATF. During-treatment and follow-up assessment measures were used to assess reactions to treatment. The comprehensive battery of measures developed in the DATAR Project was modified for use in this project.

Node-link mapping and associated visual representation strategies were designed to enhance communication and understanding. These techniques are simple methods of eliciting, representing, and organizing information so that relationships between ideas, feelings, and actions can be easily recognized and understood.

Motivational tools were designed to enhance the induction and transition phases of treatment. A series of self-study booklets provide training in the cognitive skills (e.g., decision making, problem solving) that are the “basics” of life skills.

The final element consisted of a set of strategies structured to encourage cooperative activities among probationers. Probationers working together on a specific task can help each other clarify and elicit ideas and feelings, detect “glitches” in thinking, provide emotional support, develop alternative perspectives, and improve decision-making. Responses of residents receiving enhanced treatment were compared to those receiving standard treatment components.

Four studies were conducted. The first three focused on enhancements to counseling, induction/transition, and life skills education, respectively. The overall research design was cumulative in that enhancements developed and tested in each study became a regular part of treatment for all probationers entering the SATF during later studies. The fourth study examined the effectiveness of the enhancements with special populations (e.g., females).

 
Findings
Mapping.   Residents rated counseling sessions with extensive map use as “deeper” and having greater group participation.   Compared to residents who were not in mapping communities, mapping residents gave more favorable ratings to: their counselors; group counseling sessions; their fellow-residents; security staff; their own efforts to benefit from treatment; and their own abilities to benefit from treatment.   In addition, mapping residents also reported better progress toward treatment goals, more participation in group sessions, and more positive responses to treatment as a whole.

Readiness and Re-entry (induction into treatment; transition back to society).   Residents who received these activities (which included the Tower of Strengths and Downward Spiral) rated their communities as significantly more engaged in treatment and more helpful to them than those receiving the standard treatment.   They rated themselves as more involved in treatment and gave higher ratings to the treatment program and personnel.   Those with lower levels of educational experience who received the Readiness and Re-entry activities rated their confidence and motivation higher than did a similar group in the standard program.

 
CETOP Phase 2 Summary

Building on research findings from Phase 1, the primary objective of the 5-year CETOP Phase 2 Project was to assess the impact of introducing into a criminal justice substance abuse treatment program cognitive activities specifically designed to (a) increase probationers’ motivation for treatment and (b) promote development of skills that can be useful during treatment. Since probationers frequently come to a criminal justice treatment program with little motivation and no concept of what to do to benefit from treatment, this second project phase employed and extended the motivational and skill-based elements found to be effective with this population. A second major objective was to determine how these activities can be most effectively combined and efficiently delivered.

On-site implementation was relocated to the Dallas County Judicial Treatment Center (under the administration of Cornell Companies, Inc.) in Wilmer, Texas, when the Tarrant County Substance Abuse Treatment Facility site was changed to an outpatient program. The Wilmer facility provides 6 months of residential treatment to approximately 450 probationers each year. Three major studies were conducted to assess the effects of the Motivation Module (Study #1), the Skills Module (Study #2), and the combination of Motivation and Skills Modules (Study #3). In all three studies, residents were randomly assigned to receive either enhancements or “treatment as usual.”

The broad research questions addressed by each study were: 
  
1. What are the during-treatment effects of these modules on indicators of motivation and on responses to critical aspects of the treatment program and on perceptions of personal change during treatment? Questionnaires were administered at the beginning, middle, and end of treatment.

 2. Who benefits the most?  Answers to this question help determine how to tailor treatment to meet the needs of specific individuals.

     
The MOTIVATION Module: the “TCU Personal Power Series”
Under Construction.   This is a three-part activity that includes the Tower of Strengths (a card sorting task in which individuals select strengths they have and strengths they desire), Building Blocks (selection and generation of quotes that will help individuals attain desired strengths), and a Putting Together Map (where clients see how to apply strengths and quotes to a personal problem).   This activity has been shown to improve motivation and therapeutic outcomes in treatment, and helps calibrate self-esteem (too low or too high of self esteem have both been found to be problematic in treatment).

Downward Spiral.   Five to six participants take on the roles of people who are committed to a life of substance abuse.   In this board game, the “winner” is the player who stays alive and loses the least of the allotted life resources (e.g., health, family, friends).   Players “move” by drawing cards to read about real situations; they suffer consequences of continued substance abuse by losing “life points” (Czuchry, Sia, & Dansereau, 1999; Czuchry, Sia, Dansereau, & Dees, 1997).
  
Personal Power Manuals and RAFTing.   Participants read and complete 4 workbooks, both in session and as homework.   They learn a Relax And Focus Technique (RAFTing) that can be used regularly as a self-modulation and control strategy.

RAFTing and Mind Play. This is an audio CD that guides clients through relaxation and visualization techniques that have been shown to be effective in substance abuse treatment. Our research has shown that it facilitates therapeutic improvement in treatment for probationers.

   
The COGNITIVE SKILLS Module
The Thought Team.   Participants are taught to visualize a “team” of people who can give them quality input on personal decisions and plans (i.e., perspective taking).   They then use this team as they create written solutions to sets of “tough situation” scenarios.   These are real-life situations which they may themselves encounter (Weldon & Dansereau, 1999).

Map Magic (Mapping).   Participants will be taught to organize their thoughts into graphic node-link representations using either free form or “guide” maps (a fill-in-the node structure; Czuchry & Dansereau, 1999; Newbern, Dansereau, & Dees, 1997; Newbern, Dansereau, & Pitre, 1997; Pitre, Dansereau, Newbern, & Simpson, 1998; Pitre, Dees, Dansereau, & Simpson, 1997).   This is a manual-driven activity followed by a scripted peer cooperative problem-solving activity.

View Point Game.   This activity involves playing a perspective shifting game that teaches individuals a difficult cognitive skill in an engaging, social format.   Players apply quotes, symbols, people, and personal strengths to personal problems in an effort to develop workable solutions.   It has been shown to increase creative problem solving in college students.
  

Findings
To date, research from the second phase of CETOP has shown that our motivation modules:
   • increase motivation to resist drug use and to avoid unsafe sexual practices (Czuchry & Dansereau, 2005)
   • help sustain motivation over time (Czuchry, Sia, & Dansereau, 2006)
   • improve perceptions of the counselors and counseling sessions (Dees, Sia, Dansereau, & Witala, manuscript submitted for publication)
   • and are especially beneficial for:
     – females (Czuchry, Sia, & Dansereau, 2006)
     – clients with low need for cognition (Czuchry & Dansereau, 2004)
  

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CETOP Publication List

2006 CETOP Brief Intervention Manual
Mapping Organizational Change: A Guidebook on Program Needs

With this brief intervention, Drs. Dansereau and Simpson developed a system of mapping tools that guide discussions among organizational leaders and key staff to systemize their communication, goal setting, and change process.

With this brief intervetion, Drs. Dansereau and Simpson developed a system of mapping tools that guide discussions among organizational leaders and key staff to systemize their communication, goal setting, and change process.
Sections of this Brief Intervention include these Guidebook Steps with Maps:
• Step 1. Identify Strengths and Problems
• Step 2. Analyze Problems
• Step 3. Select Potential Goals
• Step 4. (A) Explore Goals and (B) Examine Goal Consequences
• Step 5. Choose Target and Identify Sub-Goals
• Step 6. Create Action Plans
• Step 7. (A) After Action Review and (B) Re-Administer Assessments

2005 CETOP Brief Intervention Manual
Mapping the Journey: A Treatment Guide Book

The CETOP team developed and tested an integrated set of maps to guide the counseling process while helping both the counselor and client keep a record of plans and commitments.   These fill-in-the-box maps can be used flexibly in tailoring treatment to clients’ unique needs and preferences.   The manual presents an overview of mapping-based interventions and provides mapping guides for helping clients explore themselves and their personal characteristics, their social functioning, ways to make decisions and cope with problems, and ways to manage relapse.   In addition, there are general planning and progress monitoring maps to help clients set goals and understand their progress.

Other Manuals

Several other manuals used in the CETOP Project are described in the Manuals Section of this site:

Czuchry, M., Sia, T. L., Blankenship, J., & Dansereau, D. F. (1998).  Downward Spiral Manual: The game you really do not want to play.  Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research. 

Dansereau, D. F., Dees, S. M., Chatham, L. R., Boatler, J. F., & Simpson, D. D.  (1993).  Mapping New Roads to Recovery: Cognitive Enhancements to Counseling.  Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research.**

Sia, T. L., Czuchry, M. L., Dansereau, D. F., & Blankenship, J. (1998).  Preparation for Change:  The Tower of Strengths and The Weekly Planner.  Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research.**  

Dees, S. M., & Dansereau, D. F. (2000).  TCU Guide Maps: A Resource for Counslors.  Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research.**

Dees, S. M., & Dansereau, D. F. (Eds.). (1997). A jumpstart for substance abuse treatment: Readiness activities, a TCU/CETOP manual for counselors.  Fort Worth, TX: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research.

Dees, S. M., & Dansereau, D. F. (Eds.). (1998). A jumpstart to real life: Re-Entry activities activities, a TCU/CETOP manual for counselors.  Fort Worth, TX: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research.

Sia, T. L., Dansereau, D. F., & Dees, S. M. (2001).    Mapping your steps: Twelve step guide maps.   Fort Worth: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research. Spanish version also available.

[** -- Printed copies of these manuals are available through Lighthouse Institute, a nonprofit division of Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington, Illinois.  Price per manual is about $15, plus $4 shipping and handling. To order, contact the Lighthouse Publications Web Site, phone toll-free (888) 547-8271, or FAX (309) 829-4661.] 

Journal Articles

Blankenship, J., Dansereau, D. F., & Simpson, D. D. (1999).  Cognitive enhancements of readiness for corrections-based treatment for drug abuse.   The Prison Journal, 79(4), 431-445.   [Abstract]

Czuchry, M. L., Sia, T. L., Dansereau, D. F., & Dees, S. M. (1997).  Downward Spiral: A pedagogical game depicting the dangers of substance abuse.   Journal of Drug Education, 27(4), 373-387.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., Dansereau, D. F., & Sia, T. L. (1998). Using peer, self-, and counselor ratings to evaluate treatment process. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, (30)1, 81-87.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., Sia, T. L., & Dansereau, D. F. (1999). Preventing alcohol abuse: An examination of the "Downward Spiral" game and educational videos. Journal of Drug Education, 29(4), 323-335.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., & Dansereau, D. F. (1999). Node-link mapping and psychological problems: Perceptions of a residential drug abuse treatment program for probationers.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 17(4), 321-329.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M. & Dansereau, D. F. (2003a).  A model of the effects of node-link mapping on drug abuse counseling.  Addictive Behaviors, 28(3), 537-549.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., & Dansereau, D. F. (2003b).  Cognitive skills training: Impact on drug abuse counseling and readiness for treatment.   American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 29(1), 1-18.   [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., & Dansereau, D. F. (2005).  Using motivational activities to facilitate treatment involvement and reduce risk.  Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 37(1), 7-13.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., & Dansereau, D. F. (2004).  The importance of need for cognition and educational experience in enhanced and standard substance abuse treatment.  Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 36(2), 243–251.  [Abstract]

Czuchry, M., Sia, T. L., & Dansereau, D. F.  (2006).  Improving early engagement and treatment readiness of probationers: Gender differences.  The Prison Journal, 86(1), 56-74.  [Abstract]

Dansereau, D. F., & Dees, S. M. (2002).  Mapping Training:  The transfer of a cognitive technology for improving counseling.   Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 22(4), 219-230.  [Abstract]

Dansereau, D. F., Evans, S. H., Czuchry, M., & Sia, T. L. (2003).  Readiness and mandated treatment: Development and application of a functional model. Offender Substance Abuse Report, 3(1), 1-2, 13-16.

Dees, S. M., Dansereau, D. F., & Simpson, D. D. (2002).  Implementing a readiness program for mandated substance abuse treatment.   Offender Substance Abuse Report, 2(2), 17-3.

Newbern, D., Dansereau, D. F., & Dees, S. M. (1997). Node-link mapping in substance abuse: Probationers’ ratings of group counseling.  Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 25(1/2), 83-95.  [Abstract]

Newbern, D., Dansereau, D. F., & Pitre, U. (1999).  Positive effects on life skills motivation and self-efficacy:  Node-link maps in a modified therapeutic community.   American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 25(3), 407-423. 

Newbern, D., Dansereau, D. F., Czuchry, M., & Simpson, D. D. (2005).  Node-link mapping in individual counseling:  Treatment impact on clients with ADHD-related behaviors.  Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 37(1), 93-103.  [Abstract]

Pitre, U., Dansereau, D. F., & Joe, G. W. (1996).  Client education levels and the effectiveness of node-link maps.  Journal of Addictive Diseases, 15(3), 27-44.  [Abstract]

Pitre, U., Dansereau, D. F., & Simpson, D. D. (1997). The role of node-link maps in enhancing counseling efficiency.   Journal of Addictive Diseases, 16(3), 39-49.  [Abstract]

Pitre, U., Dees, S. M., Dansereau, D. F., & Simpson, D. D. (1997).  Mapping techniques to improve substance abuse treatment in criminal justice settings.   Journal of Drug Issues, 27(2), 431-445.  [Abstract]

Pitre, U., Dansereau, D. F., Newbern, D. & Simpson, D. D. (1998).  Residential drug-abuse treatment for probationers:  Use of node-link mapping to enhance participation and progress.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15(6), 535-543. 

Sia, T. L., Czuchry, M., & Dansereau, D. F. (1999).  Considering personal strengths:  The effect of three different methods on mood, arousal, and self-esteem. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29(6), 1151-1171.

Sia, T. L., Dansereau, D. F., & Czuchry, M. (2000).  Treatment readiness training and probationers' evaluation of substance abuse treatment in a criminal justice setting.   Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 19, 459-467.   [Abstract]

 

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Guest Newsletter Article

  • "Clinician resources: Mapping new roads to recovery," in Patient Feedback News: A National Drug Abuse Clinical Trial Network study, 3(1), page 3.  Newsletter also features IBR Web site. [Newsletter issue: (PDF: 404K / 4 pages) Used by permission.]

 

Research Summaries

 

CETOP Newsletter Stories

(Research Roundup newsletter stories featuring the CETOP Project)

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