Evidence-Based Behavior Modification Program

“Bureaucracy literally means “rule by office,” which emphasizes the fact that it is not ruled by persons” (Weinstein, 2010, p. 111). For the first 8 years of my counseling, career I worked in an evidence-based behavioral modification program called the Crest program. In order to be a part of the program the clients had to volunteer and the staff had to agree to work in a prison based program. The program is a bureaucracy because it is ruled by an office not just by one person. For example, the program consisted of a top of the house, Expeditors, creative groups, and ways and means, which was essentially the janitorial staff. Each of these groups was headed by a staff member or several staff members and in order for the program to successfully
A few of the formal norms of the group consists of maintaining the schedule of meal times and group times, following the proper chain of command for the client’s and staff, and following basic program rules. For example, if there is a disagreement between staff or clients, there is a process that one must follow to resolve the disagreement. Additionally, some of the informal norms consist of, how the group treats the elderly members of the group. For instance, if an individual over 60 entered the group they are automatically given respect and viewed as a father type figure. Their mood swings are more acceptable and they are allowed to be off to themselves more. Whereas, someone in their twenties must earn respect and is expected to participate in everything. However, this informal rule contradicts the formal rules. Since it is a requirement regardless of age that everyone participate in everything at all times. Although, when the director is not there some of the staff would allow the senior clients to rest during group times depending on the activities earlier in the
First, the rules were everything and not allowed to be questioned. For example, if someone was running group on a certain topic it had to be ran a specific way. Even if new technologies came out saying a different was better, it did not matter the rules said that this is how it should be done. This was both a pro and a con. It did not allow for growth within the group, however, it met that there would consistency among everyone. Everything had a rational way of being done that was easy to understand for everyone. Although, this was a con as well because the bureaucracy never changed and if questioned the common answer was because this is how it is done. It was essentially like working as a robot with no room for