Learning Center

This video is a must for all those working in and developing Therapeutic Communities in prisons.

Illustrated with powerful and compelling vignettes from actual encounter groups, these videos explore how encounter groups have evolved, what we can do to improve groups and overcome pitfalls, and what the keys are to leading successful groups.

George De Leon, the leading authority today on Therapeutic Communities, provides an in-depth look at the history and core principles of Therapeutic Communities.

This remarkable video offers penetrating insight into the psychological causes of violence by examining the perspectives of violent offenders, evoking possibilities for more effective prevention efforts.

This video offers an extraordinary look inside two different yet dramatically successful group therapy programs offered behind bars to men who have committed the most extreme violent acts—from assault and rape to murder.

These videos offer an extraordinary look into the psychological causes of violence by examining the perspectives of violent offenders, and providing an inside view of two different yet dramatically successful group therapy programs offered behind bars to men who have committed the most extreme violent acts—from assault and rape to murder.

In this lively and instructive video, watch anger management expert, Christian Conte, PhD, present his comprehensive and practical theory for treating—and healing—even the most violent offenders.

In this lively and engaging interview, Peter Fonagy, PhD, offers both a theoretical foundation for understanding violent behaviors as well as practical tools for clinicians working with violent offenders.

Watch anger experts Howard Kassinove and Chip Tafrate demystify the challenging work of anger management in this indispensable video! Whatever your professional setting, you’ll breathe easier with this practical, empirically validated showcase of exercises, live sessions, and tools to strengthen your practice.

In 1971, Dr. Philip Zimbardo led the notorious Stanford Prison Experiment in order to answer the question, “What happens when you put good people in an evil place?” In this interview with Victor Yalom, Zimbardo speaks in-depth on the study, its lessons, and its relationship to Abu Ghraib decades later.

In this engaging interview with CBT and aggression expert Dr. Donald Meichenbaum discusses violence and aggression, from origin to treatment.

Learn the key skills of fostering growth and change in encounter groups.

Watch encounter groups in action to learn what does and doesn't work when facilitating encounter groups.

Learn about the origin of encounter groups and how they have evolved since the 1950s in this captivating series.

George De Leon, the leading authority today on Therapeutic Communities, provides an in-depth look at the history and core principles of Therapeutic Communities.

George De Leon, the leading authority today on Therapeutic Communities, provides an in-depth look at the history and core principles of Therapeutic Communities.

George De Leon, the leading authority today on Therapeutic Communities, provides an in-depth look at the history and core principles of Therapeutic Communities.

See the final outcome of Rodrick's legal battle in this disposition hearing that will determine his fate.

Witness 17-year-old Rodrick in his initial hearing after a drug relapse has taken off the road to rehabilitation.

Take a front row seat to the court proceedings for a 17-year-old who had a drug relapse following a year of working toward rehabilitation. Witness how the mental health profession can be a voice for clients in a punitive justice system.

Without a strong alliance and clear boundaries, mandated clients will often shut down or act out—especially if they are teenagers. How do you work to meet both institutional and clinical goals?  MI expert Ali Hall demonstrates how to use this collaborative approach in juvenile justice settings.

Anger management expert, Christian Conte, PhD, describes his unique and highly effective approach to teaching and counseling violent offenders.

Sudhanva Rajagopal, a clinical psychology graduate student, ponders our animal nature as he relates the poignant complexity of working with inmates in jail.

Renowned Harvard psychiatrist and violence expert James Gilligan offers insight into working with violent offenders in prison settings. Learn about the tragic childhood origins of violent behavior, as well as the fundamental principles of psychotherapeutic treatment of forensic clients.

Christian Conte, PhD, shares his passion for counseling violent offenders, the radical empathy techniques that help him overcome judgment, and his unique tools for working with some of the most marginalized people in our society.

Psychotherapists working either within or outside of prison walls can learn important lessons for helping currently and previously incarcerated clients from Brooke Sheehan.

In part two of “Spitting Truth from My Soul”, Narrative Therapist Travis Heath and his client Ray The Philosopher continue their healing beat. 

A therapist shares his experiences with The Play in Prison Project, and how play therapy fostered growth and created hope for one group of incarcerated men.