Many mental health professionals emphasize having their clients/patients "get in touch with their feelings" and "express their feelings." With certain types of problems, this may work well. However, in working with offenders, it is counterproductive.
Like anyone, offenders have strong emotions -- rage, despair, excitement. However, they are inclined to cite feelings as an excuse for nearly anything. "I was up tight, so I smoked pot." "I was down and out, so I didn't go to work." "I was really ticked off, so I threw the chair." They treat their feelings as external to themselves, as though they are victims of their feelings. Worse yet, they'll try to enlist a counselor/therapist to embark on an archaeological expedition to discover the cause or source of their feelings. More excuses result.
If I ask, "How do you feel about this column?" I am really asking "what do you think?" If you are very much in agreement or very much opposed to what I am saying, you may generate some emotion along with your thinking. Thinking gives rise to feelings. It is therefore basic and must be addressed.
