Here to Learn

Not sure how the threads work so I'll give it a go, trying not to be repetitive. To be clear, my agenda does have to do with uncovering the roots of MRT, though I'm not totally opposed to it. I am in the midst of reading Inside Scientology, by Janet Reitman. It was there I found that "The Conditions" of Scientology bore an uncanny resemblance to MRT's Freedom Ladder 

http://www.partnersforprogressak.org/files/FreedomLadderSlide.pdf

I have found that they may have a common source, but I'm still doing some research. MRT purports to be based on Kohlberg's stages of moral development, but it doesn't pan out.

I have a graduate degree in counseling and I choose to work in community corrections because I honestly believe I can help people there. I do my best to serve court-mandated substance abuse clients in a daily treatment setting.  The core of our program is MRT.

MRT does not specifically focus on alcohol or drug abuse. MRT focuses on changing one's "personality" from one based on criminal thinking to one based on "higher ethical principles."  MRT is not faith-based and does not have work about a higher power. I think it actually does a pretty good job of presenting people who've been on the street, with a means to examine what they want to base their moral judgments on.

It does require people to complete written exercises and present work in groups, which can lead to personal growth.  On the other hand, its requirements are so structured they must be done by the book, or else clients find themselves in a state of failure. I try to throw people a line, and help them through but I've seen other staff members present it in such a rigid way, that it can be discouraging.

The MRT company, the generic sounding Correctional Counseling, Inc., maintains tight control over training and who can acquire the books. They have other materials, including the relapse prevention workbook, Staying Quit, which my program also uses.

My program DOES require people to attend outside support group meetings once a week, but it does not have to be AA or NA. We actually hosted SMART at one point, and it was open to the community, but it died for lack of interest, in our setting anyway. However, most clients do attend 12 Step meetings to meet the requirement. 

I've kind of gone past answering your question about MRT, but I needed some context.

I wrote a longish reply and then my phone shut down. Too tired to re-write tonight, but I'll hit you back.

Personally I work with males and females. Theyre all post-sentence mandated.

The only group you named that I'm aware of is SMART. I'll have to read a bit!