Counseling For Criminal Justice Clients



Counseling For Criminal Justice Clients

Introduction

Individual counseling refers to addressing the needs of a single person or student separately, in order to pay detailed attention to his or her particular needs. This approach to counseling is heavily contrasted with group counseling, which refers to the therapy that is provided as a part of a group in which counseling needs of several people are being catered to, together. A general assumption that is taken is that individual counseling might be more effective in resolving issues of criminal justice clients and the underlying causes for their lagging criminal acts. However, this approach lacks to develop a macro view of the problem i.e. the factors that are affecting criminals on a group level. There are certain elements of counseling which includes

The client and counselor must relate to each other well (Lipton, Martinson, & Wilks, 1975).

There must be an empathetic relationship between client and the counselor

There must be an environment created which allows the client to share whatever they want.

There must be an atmosphere where confidence and mutual trust exists.

The counselor must be stick closely to the problems of the client.

Rapport is essential.

Discussion

Counseling is referred to as a service which is provided by the responsible people of criminal justice system to the people who need advices on how they should tackle their problems regarding to the law and justice. Counseling helps them to resolve their problems and discusses issues with the lawyers/ counselors. Counseling does not only help the concerned person, but it also emphasize on creating and maintaining discipline according to the law and justice. It can also be suggested that in order to explore various possible ways for dealing with the problem or situation, counseling is used. An added perspective is offered throughout the process of counseling no matter if it is personal counseling or group counseling. The main objective of counseling is to advice people and helps them resolve the problems (Capuzzi, & Gross, 2012).

In this paper, we are addressed to discuss that among the two types of counseling i-e. Individual counseling and group counseling, which one is more effective, and in what ways it benefits the desired person. In my opinion, individual counseling is more effective than group counseling (Wright, 1963). This is because individual counseling allows the person to discuss the problems and issues personally with their counselor as well as the factor of confidentiality remains ...