If you were convicted of theft, during the sentencing phase the Judge may have ordered you to attend a mandatory theft and shoplifting class. Alternately, your lawyer may have advised that you enroll in one to show the court good faith in wanting to turn your life around. Or perhaps you realized on your own that counseling in Palatine, IL benefit you in making better decisions in the future. Regardless of the reasoning behind enrolling in a theft and shoplifting class, or one-on-one sessions with a trained therapist, many people have made the same decision and experienced positive results.
A Positive Approach that Yields Positive Results
Theft and shoplifting classes that provide engaging and interactive content are more likely to attract the interest of participants. When one-on-one counseling is conducted by a therapist who is attentive to the client and offers an empathetic ear and sage guidance, it can be life-changing. Those who have been accused of or convicted of theft often have other challenges they are facing as well. It may be financial duress, kleptomania, substance addictions, or behavioral issues. They may be feeling shame, humiliation, embarrassment, depression, or a mix of these feelings, especially in the aftermath of an arrest. They may have fears about the future, particularly in light of a possible criminal conviction. A therapist can help them identify, face, and process these feelings and counseling may benefit them whether or not they also take a theft and shoplifting class.
The Advantages of One-On-One therapy
One-on-one therapy affords the client the privacy that a classroom setting does not. In addition, an individual will receive dedicated focus from the therapist throughout the session. Theft and shoplifting classes may have so many attendees that the questions and concerns of each person may not be able to be addressed due to time limitations. Because a therapy session typically lasts for an hour, it is not long before the therapist has an accurate sense of their client’s personality, struggles, and goals. This may not be possible in a classroom setting with many people attending.
A Focus on Special Concerns
Because the individual is focused on making different decisions moving forward, and not committing additional acts of theft, theft and shoplifting classes and individual counseling may benefit from focusing on the following:
· The reasons, issues, and causes for committing the acts of theft.
· The aftermath of a theft and how it affects the individual’s freedoms, reputation, and personal relationships.
· The identification of triggers, and how to change traditional behavioral responses to avoid relapses.
Being charged with the crime of theft can change one’s life, but it can be a change for the better.
Thanks to Lotus Wellness Center for their insight into counseling for those convicted of theft.
