Stage 4: Hitting the Target. Making Permanent Change

This fourth and final workbook aims at building relationships, establishing social connection, and taking responsibility through making social reparation. It also aims at the recognition and development of relationships that are healthy and satisfy the young person, adding meaning to their life and allowing the young person to add meaning to the lives of others and the community-at-large.

In a chapter new to the second edition, the workbook also outlines the development of a Success Plan, which builds on approach goals, rather than avoidance, goals. Approach goals are things that the young person seeks or wants, whereas relapse prevention plans are built on avoidance goals: things not to do, places not to go, thoughts not to have. These are important goals, for sure, but in a contemporary, strengths-based, and rehabilitative model of treatment, we recognize that success is more than not re-offending or getting into trouble again. We recognize the importance of life plans that build on the capacity of the young person to achieve a successful and satisfying life (success plans), and not only on plans that primarily seek to prevent the recurrence of problem behaviors (safe behavior plans). When used alone, relapse prevention, and often safe behavior, plans aim at prevention alone, rather than the success of the young person as well.

The Stage 4 workbook is “high end” in content, with topics that are best tackled by young people “trained” and matured in workbook use and conceptually prepared to recognize its ideas and their importance and thus most meaningfully engage in the work

This workbook uses a considerable number of illustrative vignettes as the basis for many of its writing exercises, which are found in all chapters.

New to the 2nd Edition

• New chapter on planning for success