Skip to main content

Avoid Costly Mistakes when Enrolling in an Online Class

How You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes When Enrolling in a Cognitive Self Change Class
Thomas Wilson, Director Tom Wilson Counseling Center 

Thinking Errors ClassesIf you have been charged with an offense and have been to court, then enrolling in a Cognitive Self Change Class (sometimes called Thinking Errors Class) may be part of your obligations to the court. This is usually required by the court before the court releases you from supervision.

However, a simple mistake such as choosing the wrong class or choosing the wrong CSC program provider could get you into even more trouble with the court.  If you want to resolve your case quickly, avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake # 1: Enrolling in a class from a provider that does not have the proper credentials or is not accredited. 

Cognitive Self Change Classes are taught by professionals who are certified or licensed in Cognitive Self Change. If you are unsure, ask for a copy of their license or check their credentials at the court.

Mistake #2: Enrolling in the wrong class.  Be sure to enroll in the right class that is required by the court and that fits with your work schedule.

Normally these classes are called thinking errors or cognitive-self-change classes and are 8 to 32 hours in length.  Be sure to check the required number of hours to avoid paying more than is required by your court order. Some providers may not give you a specific number of hours or weeks, so be wary of programs that won't give an estimated length of treatment. Licensed course providers should be happy to help you find the right class and works around your work schedule.

Mistake #3: Enrolling in an online class without getting approval from your court or agency.

An approved course provider will not encourage you to sign up unless you have gotten permission from the court or agency that requires the class.  Be sure you have permission from the court, agency or your attorney to take the class.  Be sure to tell them about your work schedule to avoid problems with the program's attendance policy. It’s always a good idea to check in advance.

Mistake #4: Enrolling in the cheapest class. 

Just because the class is the cheapest, does not necessarily mean it will cost the least in the long run. Some providers charge extra for certificates or other paper work required by the court. Inquire about all the costs involved in getting proof of enrollment, progress reports to court or probation, additional "enrollment fees" and certificates of completion. Approved providers should disclose all costs in advance.

Enroll in Tom Wilson Counseling and TeleHealth Center Online Class below:


We also provide DUI classes, Alcohol classes, Substance Abuse classes, Anger Management classes, Drug Diversion classes, and Parent Education classes. Visit http://www.tomwilsoncounseling.com for more information.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What works for offenders with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) About Drug Abuse Treatment for People Involved with the Criminal Justice System. Reprinted from "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (in the Public Domain) by Thomas A. Wilson, MA, LCPC & CEO of Tom Wilson Counseling and Telehealth Center.   12. What works for offenders with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders? It is important to adequately assess mental disorders and to address them as part of effective drug abuse treatment. Many types of co-occurring mental health problems can be successfully addressed in standard drug abuse treatment programs. However, individuals with serious mental disorders may require an integrated treatment approach designed for treating patients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Much progress has been made in developing effective medications for treating mental disorders, including a number of ...

What are the unique treatment needs of juveniles in the criminal justice system?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) About Drug Abuse Treatment for People Involved with the Criminal Justice System. Reprinted from "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (in the Public Domain) by Thomas A. Wilson, MA, LCPC & CEO of Tom Wilson Counseling and Telehealth Center . 15. What are the unique treatment needs of juveniles in the criminal justice system? The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs reports a high rate of drug use among juvenile detainees. One study, for example, found that 77 percent of criminal justice-involved youth reported substance use (mainly marijuana) in the past 6 months, and nearly half of male and female juvenile detainees had a substance use disorder (McClelland et al. 2004a; McClelland et al. 2004b). Arrest rates for drug-related crimes also remain high among juveniles. A recent report showed that of the estimated 2.1 million juvenile arres...

Is providing drug abuse treatment to offenders worth the financial investment?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) About Drug Abuse Treatment for People Involved with the Criminal Justice System. Reprinted from "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (in the Public Domain) by Thomas A. Wilson, MA, LCPC & CEO of Tom Wilson Counseling and Telehealth Center.   13. Is providing drug abuse treatment to offenders worth the financial investment? In 2007, it was estimated that the cost to society of drug abuse was $193 billion (National Drug Intelligence Center [NDIC], 2011), a substantial portion of which—$113 billion—is associated with drug-related crime, including criminal justice system costs and costs borne by victims of crime. The cost of treating drug abuse (including health costs, hospitalizations, and government specialty treatment) was estimated to be $14.6 billion, a fraction of these overall societal costs (NDIC, 2011).  Drug abuse treatment is cost effecti...