Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Thinking for a Change

NIC's Thinking for a Change Program

Please choose which content you would like to explore:

  • Thinking for a Change 4.0

    a class of people taking T4C

    Access the 4.0 Curriculum, with exercises, notes, and walkthroughs for each lesson.

  • Training for Trainers

    A person teaching T4C

    Want to teach Thinking for a Change? Check out the T4T section of our website to learn where agencies are that have been trained or may be holding trainings in the future.

About the program:

Thinking for a Change 4.0 (T4C) is an innovative cognitive behavioral change program crafted by experts Jack Bush, Ph.D., Barry Glick, Ph.D., and Juliana Taymans, Ph.D., in partnership with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). Drawing from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and problem-solving techniques, T4C offers a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.

Comprising 25 interconnected lessons supplemented by appendices for personalized aftercare planning, T4C caters to the ongoing cognitive behavioral needs of participants. The program typically spans 30 sessions, each lasting 1-2 hours, ideally conducted twice weekly but is adaptable to other schedules. Participants are required to complete homework between sessions to reinforce learning.

Designed for justice-involved adults and youth of all genders, T4C operates in groups of 8-12 individuals led by trained facilitators. Its structured format allows for new member intake only at specified junctures, ensuring cohesion within the group.

Delivered by corrections professionals across diverse settings, NIC has equipped over 10,000 T4C facilitators and 500 trainers who can serve the needs of communities in the United States. Correctional agencies can seamlessly integrate T4C into their existing intervention strategies to effectively address the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of their clientele.