Seattle University Department of Social Work instructor, Sam Harrell, MSW, recently published "Moral Reconation Therapy: Incompatible with Council on Social Work Education Competencies?" in Advances in Social Work. Read the abstract below:

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.

This article is Sam Harrell's second article on Moral Reconation Therapy. Mx. Harrell's first article on Moral Reconation Therapy, "'The Broker of Reality': A Scoping Review of Moral Reconation Therapy" was published in August 2022 and aimed to identify evidence-based literature supporting Moral Reconation Therapy. The authors concluded that Moral Reconation Therapy's "evidence claims are not supported by peer-reviewed research" (Harrell et al., 2022). Currently, Moral Reconation Therapy is used in correctional settings in counties across Washington state, including Whatcom, Snohomish, King, Mason, Kittitas, Pierce, Thurston, Pacific, Franklin, Columbia, Walla Walla, and Spokane counties.