Psychotherapy Urban Outlook

Guideline for Professionals to

Under s t and t he Hood Men t ali t y & Ur b an Iden t i t y T heor y

TA BL E OF CON T E N T S 04.

Purpose of Manuscript

06.

Urban Psychotherapy Outlook

08.

Outlook on the Hood Mentality and Urban Identity Theory

11.

Why Cognitive Behavior Therapy (who suffers from PTSD)

14.

CPE (cognitive processing error)

16.

NBC (negative behavior cycle)

18.

Prison Psychosis and PTSD

22.

Self Awareness Phase I

A .

Explain CBT client

B.

Assess the patient concerns

C.

Autobiography (3 prong criteria)

D.

Introduce daily log (diar y card)

E.

Reflection (mirror image)

F.

Establish beliefs and principals

G.

Self expression (become aware of thoughts and emotions)

H.

Set goals (for treatment; life short term/ long term)

I.

Plan of Action

K.

Develop sense of Community

23.

NBC Negative Behavior Cycle Phase II

1 1 .

Understanding NBC

12.

NEI (explanation to patient)

13.

Apply NBC model

14.

Cognitive, Interpersonal and Systematic Approach

15.

Pernicious Statement FIPS

27.

CPE Cognitive Processing Error Phase III

1 6 .

Understanding CPE

1 7.

Reevaluate NBC through CPE

18.

Discuss addictions, substance use, gang involvement and CPE correlation

29.

Altering Belief and Principals

1 9 .

Franklin Reality Model

Method to change belief and principals that effect behavior

20.

32. Conclusion

2|

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

By Tristan Ahtone | Al Jazeera America

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

|3

P URP OSE OF M A NUSCRIP T The compiled research of this manuscript is the result of over 20 years of research and interviews with over 2300 gang members and ex-offenders, in prison and free society. The Purpose is to provide an in-depth overview of Urban Psychotherapy and why studying the association with environmental stimuli, pre set behaviorisms and economical conditions, affect the decision making process of those that inhabit low income areas. This manuscript will provide the training that is necessary for Law enforcement, psychologist and academic instructors, to better equip them with the ability to identify urban disorders and apply the safest method of redirection for those they come in contact with due to negative behavior.

The purpose of this manuscript is to broaden the understanding for professionals about the Hood Mentality and the Urban Identity Theory. The manuscript will provide an outlook of a negative behavior cycle and what economical conditions in life cause negative behavior cycles while individuals are not aware of their own NBC. The information enclosed provides an outlined understanding of how cognitive processing errors develop due to environmental dictation and being at a cognitive economical disadvantage; not having equal resources and access to information.

This manuscript was written in order to identify negative environmental influences and the influence that negative environmental influences have on negative behavior patterns. The information provided will give deep explanation of prison psychosis and those affected by its physical presence and cognitive insertion.

4|

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

|5

URB A N P S YCHOT HE R A P Y OU T LOOK There are many reports that exist on urban psychotherapy that give factual data about how many people inhabit low income areas since 1960’s up to this millennium. These reports have supporting information given out by the census bureau that can determine how many inhabitants lived in poverty areas in the 60’s and how that number has increased to this day and time. There are formulas that can determine how rapid growth in poverty will proceed in this country.

“FIND THE BE AUT Y IN EVERY HUMAN BEING EVEN WHEN THE Y BELIEVE BE AUT Y IS NOT WITHIN THEM” William Tutt

In 2013, about 48.8 million people or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population had income below the poverty level (Census Bureau 2014). As of today there are 321,966,000 million people in the United States and counting. Now let’s figure that there are a great number in the millions that don’t participate in census information gathering. So the poverty percentage and number is greater than what the data shows. Now let’s take into consideration that this report deals with poverty level financially, meaning that a family’s income was the data used to gather poverty percentage versus population. Information like this is good to have for future preparations dealing with popula-

6|

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

tion growth having a direct effect on urban reconstruction projects. In my opinion this is urban data collection not urban psychotherapy.

Urban Psychotherapy is the study of urban environments and its inhabitants. Its purpose is to study the ecological condition and the effects it has on the inhabitants. My research has lead to the conclusion that in order to gain a deeper understanding of urban psychotherapy you first must acknowledge that its inhabitants are at a Cognitive Economical Disadvantage CED. This means that levels of positive thought, daydreaming and understanding of societal expectations are low, do to limited exposure to information and resources.

Parental behavior transfer such as; anxiety, stress, poverty, loneliness, and the general struggle concept (identifying that government aid is a necessity (way of life) or expectation; you have to do what you have to do to survive; mentality) are transferred from generation to generation leaving no opportunity for positive progression from an economical stand point. Urban environments possess multicultural populations that ultimately lead to intercultural conflict and tension.

The purpose of these conflicts are; interdependence and social power. Blacks, whites, and Hispanics have segregated themselves, on different levels, for cultural purposes which are problematic because it isolates a minority group from resources and opportunities that affect socioeconomic well being.

During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. There are many specific types of psychotherapy,

each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that’s right for you depends on your individual situation and safe methods for redirecting one’s negative behavior.

There are many social issues associated with urban environments; one of the most pressing is targeted poverty.

Poverty in the United States has morphed into a psychological dilemma within the last several decades with the number of people living in high-poverty or underclass urban neighborhoods doubling. The US is responsible for engaging in the behavior of concentrating large numbers of poor families together in targeted neighborhoods. As the population increases the spatial organization remains the same. Research is finding that more single family dwellings actually consist of dual family inhabitants. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that spatial organization has not kept up with the increase of poor people living in the same location for generations. This neglect causes more physical isolation from the social and economic mainstream of society, for poor individuals as a culture or individually.

One main urban social issue is the fact that 40% of the nation’s children fewer than 3 years of age live in poor families or underclass urban environments (National Center for Children in Poverty 2002). The poverty rate for Blacks and Hispanics under the age of 3 years is triple that to White children under the age of 3 years. This cognitive economical disadvantage increases the risk for developing

OF THE UNITED S TAT E S P O P U L AT I O N IS BELOW THE POVERT Y L IN E

behavioral problems, social anti-ism and psychological disorders that do not necessarily require medication.

The impact that violence has on urban environments is non-measurable. Studies report that 50% to 96% of urban children are exposed to violence before age 5. It is not just direct victimization that affects health and development, but also witnessing violence through friends or family (Gorman-Smith, & Kamboukos, 1999). Many physical diseases and mental disorders are a direct relation to poverty and living conditions such as, poor nutrition, exposure to concentrated violence, environmental pollution and lack of social infrastructure.

Urban physical environments have a direct impact on the psychological, social experiences and behavior due to the lack of space, density and configuration. The physical form of low income areas have a direct affect on the well being of the inhabitants that relate to stress and urban decay. When individuals look at an environment on a daily basis that is not progressing or developing with societal requirements or the demand to progress due to increasing populations, one can never develop a sense of hope within. This condition breads stress, anxiety, violence and crime because of the constraints placed on over populated low income areas.

These conditions have a direct affect on education in urban areas. Public school are linked to and affected by the unseen forces of urbanization. Urban schools are generally located in regions with a declining tax base and scarce availability of resources and information. My research has proven that this geographical mechanism is a deliberate placement to ensure segregation and promote genocide.

Urban psychotherapy must be viewed as the funnel of information providing behavioral results of how negative environmental influences directly affect the decision making process of those exposed to urbanization. This can be measured when compared to those living in non urbanized environments when comparing behaviorisms to age groups. This brings about the fact that those individuals exposed to negative environmental influences over a period of time will display predictable behavior. With this training manual identifies these predictable behaviors along with models and terms used that will give meaning to negative behavior.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

|7

businessinsider.com

HOOD ME N TA L I T Y & URB A N IDE N T I T Y T HEORY 8|

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

The hood mentality is a developmental process that begins at 9 months of age. Research has proven that memory scars can be detected in the brain at the age of 9 months. The infant brain is a great absorbent mechanism due to the fact that neural pathways are new learning experiences, memory level low, innate programs only exist.

Therefore at this age mental retention is high.

HOOD MENTALITY STARTS AT THE AGE OF 9 MONTHS The hood mentality is a subconscious awareness with an outwardly expression due to environmental dictation. Individuals that display the hood mentality are being responsive to environmental input on a subconscious level with some awareness. The hood mentality is also a cognitive perception of how I interpret my economical situation. This mentality dictates that I dress a certain way because my environment dictates this dress as acceptable. I entertain criminal conversation, which ultimately leads to an act, because my environment dictates that these types of conversations or issues in life are normal thought patterns.

The hood mentality allows individuals to participate in criminal activities without a conscience e.g., robbing, stealing, murder and assaulting others because they don’t look like me, are not suffering like me, think they are better than me. This mentality is a crippling disease that inhibits logic being processed in the frontal lobe when faced with challenging situations or making choices of right versus wrong.

Urbanization, normally dictates negative behavior patterns due to exposure of negative environmental influences. Logic is disabled in the frontal lobe due to the possibility of negative parental behavior transference, environmental dictation and urbanization having a preset condition and belief system. These preset conditions create a desire within to display negative behavior and the preset conditions have a dominant influence on negative choices.

Individuals suffering from the hood mentality must stop and think about how they appear before others instead of just going along in a nonchalant manner handling different social situations the same, with aggression and violence.

We as therapists must help them be more mindful of what image they’re projecting to others. Often people make snap judgments about others and first impressions are not easily changed. We must suggest that being cognizant of your situation is important in order to change.

Urban Identity Theory suggests that urban environments decrease self esteem, lower desire for achievement, promote an identifiable dress code and cognitively sets an invisible geographical barrier, while at the same time promoting criminal behavior and violence.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

|9

The urban identity theory has no racial boundary. It is the study which proves that urban restraints and limitations to information and resources are barriers that trap in a negative behavior, violence and divided aggressive cultures that is pass these patterns of life from generation to generation. This places the inhabitants at a cognitive economical disadvantage, thus causing their behavior to be predictable and identifiable.

The urban identity theory suggests that economic segregation is an implanted component to support theory. Concentrated poverty is targeted towards urban environments; this is how they are identified and controlled. Urban areas are characterized by poverty while other areas of the city are characterized by extreme affluence.

The research behind the theory proves that livings in areas with concentrated disadvantages are more likely to commit crimes in their own neighborhoods.

Violence disproportionately affects urban residents versus residents living outside these zones.

The residents of urban communities experience more violent crimes than any other community in the world. Research has proven that even though I know you are suffering just like me I will still rob you, or assault you. This is my way of expressing what I cannot understand.

Neighborhood socialization and social control are factors that affect cohesion between neighbors and understanding the variations of violence and negative behavior between urban areas and non urbanized environments. Community togetherness and social organization differ in such a manner that research had to take into consideration

10 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

community awareness. Neighbors who communicate and socialize amongst each other are less likely to be victims of neighborly crime. Urban inhabitants experienced 87% more violent crimes than non urban areas (U.S. Department of Justice 2009).

Neighborhood socialization includes the supervision and control of children by other adults in the community, and participation in formal and voluntary organizations.

The data suggests that within poor urban neighborhoods, the structural barriers of the neighborhood can impede the development of neighborhood socialization therefore, increasing crime and violence amongst neighbors.

The research behind this theory suggests that those born in urbanized environments are at a cognitive economical disadvantage, meaning that my economical situation (poverty) will automatically cause cognitive processing errors when faced with challenging situations. These cognitive processing errors lead to negative behavior including criminal activities.

In conclusion, the urban identity theory suggests; that due to my hood mentality condition, my suffering from mental disorders that I am not aware of, because I respond to negative environmental influences subconsciously, and because, more than likely I partake in the use of drugs and alcohol because the percentage of influence is high; I am easily identifiable by others.

The Theory suggests that I am a product of my environment and easily identifiable.

WHY COGNI T I V E BE H AV IOR T HE R A P Y

CASE EVALUATION IS COMPROMISED OF FOUR COMPONENTS:

01

grasping a full understanding of patient’s issues/living situation.

02

advise patient of therapeutic techniques intended to apply.

03

Assess patient’s progress or regress.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a strong empirical method to changing emotions, thoughts, and ultimately behavior. By doing so you must target specific emotions in order to change thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. Cognitive therapy enables an individual to become aware of thoughts and emotions, identify certain situations, thinking patterns and the fact that actions influence emotions, and emotions influence actions.

The main goal of CBT is to change the dysfunctional thought patterns and negative behavior(s). CBT is a process that teaches skill acquisition and home self therapy. This technique sets itself aside from talk therapy. CBT teaches individuals the skills to identify the cause of a problem and not just simply discuss my problems and receive advice from someone.

Cognitive behavior therapy takes it several steps further. Instead of prescribing medication to a headache, cognitive therapy tells us to ask what behavior is different prior to the headache. Once this data is collected an experiment can be applied to record results in changing of behavior patterns. If the headache goes away due to experiment then devise a solution for continued success. This process is known as case evaluation.

04

case evaluation also establishes a sense of hope within patient.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 11

Suggest method to alter behavior

Patients’ needs or behavior issue

C A SE E VA LUAT ION Evaluate patients’ progress/regress Establish sense of hope within patient

Case evaluation is a process that takes place during initial interview of patient, or initial contact with patient due to negative behavior. Much case evaluation is spontaneous when dealing with urbanization, hood mentality and urban identity theory; in street settings and academic institutions.

Assessing cognition is often helpful to examine the patients’ thoughts especially as they are perceived by the patient. One method is to ask the patient questions about how he feels about himself, his family, spouse/mate and economical condition. Listening to the patient is primary to understanding his true pain or hindrance in life. Train yourself to listen to details in order to grasp the overall picture of patient(s) behavior and cause of belief system.

Cognitive behavior therapy has a model known as ABC; Activating event develops a Behavior which has Consequences. Activating events occur before a behavior typically eliciting a physiological response (emotion or feeling). Cognitive behavior therapy teaches patients’ how to identify these physiological responses in order to prevent negative behavior.

12 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

A S SE S SING A BC MODE L : ACTIVATING EVENT

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

BEHAVIOR ACTION SHORT TERM

GRATIFICATION LONG TERM

CONSEQUENCE

Questions to ask in order to achieve desired information:

01

How do you feel when this occurs?

02

How did you feel after (negative behavior)?

03

What physical responses did you recognize when doing this?

04

What where your thought prior to (negative behavior)?

05

What where your thought immediately after (negative behavior)?

06

How do you feel about situation now?

07

Do you think your behavior is wrong? Why or Why not?

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 13

CPE COGNI T I V E PROCE S SING E RROR Cognitive processing error occurs within individuals suffering from urbanization. Individuals find themselves in a negative behavior cycle because their belief system contains preset negative information. Individuals suffering from CPE normally respond with emotions and not logic or rationale. This occurs when options are limited and through parental behavior transference and environmental dictation. When interviewing many individuals you ask them why did you kill him and they respond, “I don’t know, I really don’t know”. “My homie told me that they shot at him and I got upset”.

Cognitive processing error is a process of information input and placing that information into its correct part of the brain for processing or storage. CPE are justifications used in order to make negative decisions. This also acts as a permission statement to give confirmation needed to justify negative behavior. Having limited options to choose from only creates a pathway to display trained responses.

Cell Body

Nucleus

Schwann’s Cells Axon Node of Ranvier Myelin Sheath

Dendrites

Axon Terminals

14 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

CPE MODUL E

In this model there is no logic present or anything to interfere with the environmental dictation or parental behavior transference. Thought of consequences are not available in frontal lobe.

• Situation/circumstance: Craig runs up to group of urbanites and says, “There’s a truck over there with flat screens and no one is watching”.

• Emotional feeling: Excitement rapid heartbeat, anxiety, fear • Thought processing info: No one watching it, easy come up, I’m broke anyway

novocommunities.org

Examples of CPE • Closed thinking – One who is not receptive to view point of others.

Nobody can tell me about me: • Victim Stance – Places blame others for his behavior. Views self as the victim:

• Lack of Empathy – Fails to consider other’s feelings or pain • Lack of effort – I can’t meaning I won’t. Why should I try? That’s for the White man • Unrealistic Expectations – Overly optimistic. Profound daydreamer.

Believes negative behavior is answer to financial situation The underlying concept of cognitive processing error is that our thoughts and feelings play a fundamental role in our behavior. The goal of cognitive behavior therapy is to teach patients that while they cannot control every aspect of the world around them, they can take control of how they interpret and deal with things in their environment.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 15

NBC NEG AT I V E BE H AV IOR C YCL E Individuals experiencing cognitive processing errors will eventually develop a negative behavior cycle and display behavior patterns that are not acceptable by societal norms. This cycle consists of participating in criminal activities

16 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

a daily, participating in life threatening situations, not able to cope with spouse or significant other, not able to socialize with others because no one understands me (isolation), I’m not able to get along with employers (authoritative problems).

Individuals in NBC use several factors that continue the process of the negative cycle, for example; feelings about a person or situation, my interpretation of my environment, needs being met, self gratification, resources and information. Being in a NBC is like being in a whirlwind of

The NBC model will allow the patient to visually see his thoughts. This method is crucial for the patient to interact with this model and plug in his negative experiences. The facilitator should encourage the patient to engage in the model and make it personal. The facilitator should encourage the patient to take the interaction seriously. My research has proven that people who see their negative behavior respond positively when asked how you feel about what you did. This process is called after thought, replaying the tape of a life’s experience.

Once again, when the mind is trained to respond a certain way, it will; unless there are options, choices gives people freedom subconsciously.

The patient must engage in this model in order to gain an insight of who he really is inside. When individuals have to look at themselves inwardly, on many occasions people don’t like what they see or have become. This will open the pathway, self realization, for change from the patients’ perspective.

Creating the notion that the patient is making positive choices to become a better person, in their view of life, enables a sense of control in life.

constant failure with relationships, employment, parenting and being involved in criminal activities or entertaining criminal thoughts on a daily basis.

This module brings to awareness the fact that the decisions you’ve made are not of the norm, accepted by society. Your decisions cause you to be in a cycle of making bad choices that lead to incarceration, gang activities, participating in the use and sell of narcotics.

The individual may also find that he is not able to cope within society or so what is expected, follow the law.

A C T I VAT ING EVENT Initial Thought Feeling

NBC MODE L

Physical Reaction

Permission Statement

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 17

Kenneth Evans holds a composite of photographs of his son Tuan Evans, as he poses for a photograph at his home in Temple Hills, Md. Drug criminals once described by prosecutors as unrepentant repeat offenders are among those poised to benefit from new sentencing guidelines that are shrinking punishments for thousands of federal prisoners, according to an Associated Press review of court records. (Alex Brandon / AP)

P RISON P S YCHOSIS A ND P T SD Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality (believing that negative behavior and anger are a part of life); typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is realistically); disorganized thinking patterns and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, fantasizing about criminal activities).

Prison psychosis is the result of being exposed to NEI (negative environmental influences) over a period of 6 months or greater. Many ex-offenders and gang members are exposed to NEI over a period of a lifetime and eventually develop CPE (cognitive processing errors).

18 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

W HO RE A L LY SUFFE RS FROM P T SD ?

• • • • • • •

List of traumatic experiences: Physical/verbal abuse Sexual molestation (at any age or gender) Long term exposure to drugs/violence Being a witness to trauma Exposure to gang life Exposure to NEI negative environmental influences My research has proven that individuals that are raised in urban households have suffered a traumatic experience at some point in their youth and adult life. The African American and Hispanic cultures dictate that psychological help is for white people (kids). This stereotype has allowed mental disorders to go undetected and not treated. Mankind is like any other animal on earth; we adapt to our living conditions and bury memories of pain and suffering.

In some cases we act out our PTSD through negative behavior, acts of violence, foul language, bullying, joining gangs to find love and security and then there’s withdrawal (anti social).

Most traumas within urban households are misinterpreted.

Urbanites have adapted to a condition that accepts traumatic experiences as life’s norm, due to environmental dictation, and parental behavior transference.

Prison psychosis is a psychological disorder where individual may possess one or more of the following symptoms: • Has become desensitized to the fear of death (not afraid to die nor take a life) • Displays a NBC Negative Behavior Cycle (behavior that increases the chances of incarceration and/or death on a daily basis) • Lacks obedience factor for authority figure e.g.,

teachers, law enforcement, judicial employees, politicians, local leaders, parents guardians without any justifiable reasoning.

• Displays victimization via FIS “fuck it syndrome”, when individuals use this phrase as a permission statement for negative behavior • Displays potential violent behavior(s) as an adolescent usually misinterpreted by parents/guardian.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 19

ME T HODS OF RE DIREC T ION PH A SE S I, II, III

The Actors’ Gang, a nonprofit organization and theater group, works with inmates in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (Courtesy of Peter Merts)

20 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 21

P H A SE I SE L F AWA RE NE S S Objective: To enable awareness to the patient of their current condition physically. Many individuals just go with the flow with no significant meaning or direction in their life.

• Explain CBT to client – this will inform patient as to what is expected to transpire between therapist and patient • Asses patient concerns and needs – this will enable hope in patient • Autobiography – Each patient is responsible for writing an auto biography about their life The document must contain three prongs that will be use throughout recovery as a reference.

01 | 02 |

What did you want to become in life

What life experience or obstacle prevented you from achieving this

03 |

How do you feel about the situation today

• Introduce daily log (diary card) chart 1A – This will allow patient to track daily movements and emotions throughout the day.

• Reflection (mirror image) – This exercise is intended to allow the patient to see their physical self without any interference or intoxications. Patient must dialogue on what they see • Establish beliefs and principles – This step is very important because this information will be used throughout entire redirection process. The intention is to change all beliefs and principles that are harmful to patient and others.

22 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

• Self expression – The therapist must engage in dialogue with patient by letting patient explain how they see themselves and their environment. With therapy providing a safe and private place to express feelings, confusion, worries, secrets and ideas. In general, regardless of the therapist’s preferred way of working, people find therapy to be most useful when therapists are responsive, engaged, and offer feedback.

• Goal setting – Allow patient to express what they want to achieve in life and in therapy.

• Plan of action – Therapist and patient will discuss ways of changing thinking patterns and ultimately behavior. Allow patient to make suggestions.

• Develop a sense of community – This is used to describe the relationship a patient has with their social structure.

To establish a community bond depends on four factors:

01 |

02 | 03 | 04 |

Community participation (gauge patients participation or lack thereof) The perception one has about his community How do you socialize within your community Does your behavior/actions help community

• Sense of belonging – Therapist will attempt to measure level of how patient sees their self in real time; who am I, do I avoid responsibility, do I have anger issues, am I anti social, do I avoid my parental responsibilities, does my negative behavior affect my relationship(s) with (family, spouse, employer)?

P H A SE II UNDERSTANDING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR CYCLE Objective: Here the therapist must show and enable the thought that patients daily activities are non progressive.

Therapist must prove behavior is negative and in a continuous downfall.

Negative behavior cycle – When an individual continues to make bad choices that affect their relationships with their parents, peers, spouse, employer and siblings. This cycle how many individuals are unaware of the NBC, because they believe their behavior is acceptable.

Negative environmental influences are the stimuli that promote the desire for negative choices and criminal activities e.g. exposure to gangs, use or sell of narcotics, violence in house hold and streets, domestic assault, victim/witness to physical abuse, victim/witness to verbal abuse. Note: Patient must be aware that these influences control 80% of the daily decisions they make. The method will give validation to the NEI behavior theory by using NBC model.

HOOD ME N TA L I T Y C YCL E This model shows the continuing mind set of the hood mentality and how NEI, CPE lead to NBC. It also shows how negative environmental influences affect cognitive processing which lead to negative behavior and the negative behavior compensates THE negative environmental influences.

NE I NBC

CPE UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 23

24 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

Therapist Note: Patient must draw on board this model and plug in life experience. It is recommended to use most recent negative behavior or criminal activity. Patient must be instructed to answer honestly to receive authentic feedback from therapist and/or peers.

Empathy is the ability to understand experiences from another person’s point of view. Sympathy is to feel sorry for someone because of their situation. Both are an important part of building rapport and facilitating feelings of trust and mutual respect between the patient and therapist.

It is necessary for the therapist to consider the concept of “multicultural empathy,” which relates to understanding persons from other life backgrounds (ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, etc.). It is impossible for a therapist to be knowledgeable about every patient’s unique background. Empathy, which at its core consists of asking questions in a respectfully curious manner and expressing emotional understanding of the answers received, is a solid first step towards understanding patients’ unique life and their level of feelings due to their experiences.

A C T I VAT ING EVENT Initial Thought Feeling Consequences

NBC MODE L Physical Reaction

Behavior Action Permission Statement

E S TA BL ISH T E N L AW S OF T IME A ND L IF E M A N A GE ME N T 1.

Your behavior is a reflection of what you truly believe.

2. Your governing values are the

7. You satisfy needs when your

foundation of personal fulfillment

beliefs are in line with reality.

3.

8. Negative behaviors are overcome

When your daily activities reflect your governing values, there’s inner peace.

4.

To reach any significant goal, you must leave your comfort zone.

Scott Olson/Getty Images A member of a Chicago street gang gets a hug from a former gang member and current activist in 2010.

6.

You control your life by controlling your time.

5.

Daily planning leverages time through increased focus.

by changing incorrect beliefs.

9. Your self esteem must come from within.

10. Give more and you’ll have more, not always tangible.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 25

Cognitive FIPS Fuck It Permission Statement

Interpersonal Systematic Approaches Redirecting Behavior

Objective: Interject a cognitive approach to redirect maladaptive thought patterns.

Kenco sources its coffee from some of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, many of these countries are ridden with gangs responsible for thousands of murders, with countless innocent people caught in the crossfire. The unfortunate reality of young people growing up amongst the gangs is

Cognitive, Interpersonal and Systematic approaches for redirecting behavior Cognitive approach will enable the patient to recognize and change maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors. Improve how feelings and worries are handled, and break the cycle of dysfunctional habitual behaviors. This perspective helps people see the connection between how they think, what they tell themselves, and the feelings and actions that follow.

Interpersonal approaches emphasize identifying and understanding self-defeating patterns in relationships, figuring out why a particular situation is happening in a particular context, changing patterns that don’t work and developing healthier ones.

In this approach, relationships and the here-and-now are the focus.

26 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

that lacking opportunity, they tend to fall into the gang life.

Systematic approach allows the client to understand problems in a contextual framework and focus on understanding and shifting the current dynamics of relationships, families, and even work settings. The roles and behaviors that people take on in a particular setting or context are understood to be determined by the unspoken rules of socializing and interaction among peers.

Other therapeutic approaches are centered on self-expression, with therapy providing a safe and private place to express feelings, confusion, worries, secrets and ideas.

In general, regardless of the therapist’s preferred way of working, people find therapy to be most useful when therapists are responsive, engaged, and offer feedback.

Note: Therapist must explain to

patient about permission statements and how they give justification to negative behavior. How do you identify them?

Pernicious statement – A statement that is very harmful and destructive.

Used frequently to override logic and /or fear. Statement used to give permission to participate in negative behavior, questionable situations and risky behaviors.

FIPS – Fuck it permission statement used by many individuals so that their rationale can be overridden and judgment of self and guilt are temporary subdued. When this statement is used it indicates the possibility of making a wrong a choice is present.

Individuals use this statement to give confidence when confidence would not normally exist.

PH A SE III CHANGING BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES Objective: Enable patients’ awareness of Cognitive Processing Error and interject Franklin Reality Model.

Note: Patient must draw model and plug in belief in center then apply model.

• Understanding CPE – Patient must be explained what a causes CPE due to environmental dictation, parental behavior transference and possessing the hood mentality. Patient must also be informed about urbanization is the birth of a cognitive economic disadvantage.

• Therapist should reevaluate NBC with new outlook via CPE exercise • Discuss addictions of substance abuse, gang involvement and show how CPE encourages the desire to participate in the above mentioned.

CPE COGNI T I V E PROCE S SING E RROR NEI Block Rational

How do you feel about your belief?

NEI

Environmental Dictation This is all i know

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

NEGATIVE BELIEF IN WINDOW

IRRATIONAL THOUGHT Ain’t no jobs available

Peers influence negative behavior “I’ll do it difference this time”

PERMISSION STATEMENT

“I gotta hit this lick”

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 27

28 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

ALTERING BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES FR A NK L IN RE A L I T Y MODE L The Franklin Reality Model teaches all persons that they have a filtering system which is labeled the “belief window,� and that all of us are constantly placing principles on our belief window as a function of age. Once we accept a principle, we attach rules to it. Our behavior follows our principles and as a result, our behavior generally has an easily predictable result; e.g., joining a gang will make me popular and respected; therefore I join a gang to feel important and have choices. The model also includes four basic human needs:

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 |

To love or be loved Feel important or personal worth Survival To have choices or variety

Therapist will lead patient through the Franklin Reality Model with examples from their lives. As they practice tracing the natural outcomes of their beliefs or start from the consequences in their lives that they dislike, and trace back to the underlying belief system, they engage in a cognitive restructuring process. The next step is to choose and practice new beliefs and behaviors that can lead to desirable outcomes. Thus, the Franklin Reality Model is the foundation for cognitive-behavioral change when applied to destructive behaviors and substance abuse on all levels.

Maladaptive beliefs are identified and replaced over time.

The model is further used to strengthen engagement in other aspects of recovery such as taking responsibility to resolve legal obligations, repair of family relationships, and engagement with community recovery support networks. FRM brings the key ingredients of most successful psychotherapies - the provision of education, a convincing rationale for the treatment, enhancing expectations of improvement, provision of support and encouragement, behavioral treatments - and can effectively bridge to motivational enhancement and stages of change.

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 29

1. Did the results of your behavior meet your need?

2. Will continuing your current behavior meet your needs over time?

30 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

F R A NK L IN RE A L I T Y MODE L INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

PRINCIPLES Belief Window

RULES If...Then

BEHAVIOR Meet your Need

RESULTS *for business: Respect, Survive, Market, Niche, Innovation

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK

| 31

CONCLUSION Therapist must develop, along with patient, methods to change belief and principles that cause negative behavior and continue to turn the NBC. The ultimate goal is to get the patient to acknowledge that their behavior may not be acceptable outside their environment. Therapist should interject the fact that we may not know what’s best for ourselves due to an extreme amount of negative influences that surround us.

William Tutt

32 |

UR B A N P S YC HO T HE R A P Y OU T L OOK