Girls Self-Efficacy Training

A Gender Responsive Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention
For Girl’s in the Juvenile Justice System

Developed by Darin Carver, MSW

What do you get when you blend gender responsive strategies with cognitive-behavioral interventions? Girls Self-Efficacy Training (GST). GST is an exciting new program designed to match the unique response juvenile female offenders have to the risk factors for delinquency. The program is delivered three times per week, for ten weeks, to groups of six to eight girls.
GST uses a multi-modal approach with the intent of decreasing girl’s contact with the juvenile justice system by increasing their capacity to make responsible decisions. The model is grounded in current theory and research on juvenile female offender risks and needs. It makes use of proven cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce re-offending. The modules that make up GST are:

Emotional Self-efficacy Training
This group targets impulsivity reduction by helping girl’s identify and respond effectively to negative emotional states. Successful self-soothing strategies are taught, as well as developing proficiency in responding to the negative events (triggers) that may produce such emotions.

Skill Sets for Success
In this group, behavioral procedures such as modeling, behavioral rehearsal, performance feedback, and generalization are used to teach skill sets to juvenile female offenders. The skill sets provide a gender responsive match to the risk factors for girl’s delinquency. Each of the twelve skills is designed to build self-confidence in making responsible decisions, particularly in interpersonal relationships.

Thinking for Yourself
Juvenile female offenders frequently rely on thinking errors that sustain poor decision-making and ineffective relationships. This modality provides opportunities for female participants to develop their own prosocial reasons for making responsible choices while moderately challenging ineffective thought processes.

Training for GST facilitators is delivered to smaller groups, 8 – 10, as proficiency requires actual practice of the three modalities described above. For more information on workshops and training in GST contact Darin Carver at (801) 644-1022; darincarver@msn.com