“The Broker of Reality”: A Scoping Review of Moral Reconation Therapy

Harrell, Sam; Johnson, Constance; Boys, Chandler; Suslovic, Brianna; Anderson-Nathe, Ben; Botts, Kassandra

doi:10.1080/26408066.2022.2117583

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Ferguson and Wormith's (2013) commonly-cited, peer-reviewed meta-analysis suffers from poor replicability and non-rigorous publication sources. Further, a recent scoping review found no additional peer-reviewed outcome studies have been published on MRT since 2011 (Harrell et al, 2022). Additional assessment of the purported research base supporting MRT is necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to CCI's website, over 50,000 people have been trained to facilitate MRT and over two million have gone through the MRT curriculum (MRT, n.d.a). Despite CCI's claims to a strong empirical evidence base to support the intervention, very little independent peer-reviewed research has been conducted to assess MRT (Harrell et al, 2022;Jarldon, 2020). Still, the program is widely applied in social work practice settings such as substance use disorder treatment, diversion programs, residential and community corrections programs across the United States.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Moral Reconation Therapy

Harrell

Suslovic²,

Johnson

et al. 2023

ASW

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Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is a manualized treatment commonly used in correctional settings to address perceived moral failing and associated problematic behaviors (e.g., substance use and criminal conduct). Many social work students are introduced to MRT as a treatment modality during field placements in correctional contexts. As a group modality that draws from cognitive-behavioral interventions and 12-step recovery programs, MRT has been touted as a cost-effective and evidence-based intervention. However, there are substantial reasons to question MRT’s appropriateness as an intervention taught to social work practicum students. Using several of the CSWE EPAS standards as guideposts, this paper addresses several key areas of concern with regard to the role of MRT in the training of social work students. Through our analysis of MRT’s curriculum, we identify areas of concern with regard to MRT’s ability to teach social work students how to ethically practice, engage diversity and difference in practice, or utilize research to inform practice. Despite the widespread use of MRT in correctional counseling contexts, we conclude that MRT is unsuitable for use in accredited social work field placements. Educators and accreditation agencies should critically evaluate the treatment models social work students learn and practice in field placements.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%