A common problem with those struggling with mental health conditions is the “revolving door” syndrome, where individuals have difficulties breaking cycles of negative behavior.
Developed to address individuals with those challenges, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is a systematic, cognitive-behavioral approach designed to fundamentally change how individuals make decisions and moral judgments.
While originally developed for treatment-resistant offenders, MRT can be adapted for mental health recovery with its structured approach to building moral reasoning. This helps individuals reshape their identity and find purpose—key components for sustained recovery.
MRT targets cognitive distortions as they relate to mental health (and co-occurring substance abuse) and aims to adjust the decision-making process that occurs in one’s mind about themselves and others.
In this article, I explain what MRT is, how it works, how it can help those with mental health challenges, and who benefits.
What is Moral Reconation Therapy? Understanding the Core Concepts
Drs. Greg Little and Ken Robinson developed MRT in 1987 as a structured component of prison-based therapeutic communities. It was originally intended to decrease reoffending among juvenile and adult criminal offenders by increasing moral reasoning.
When adapted for mental health treatment, its cognitive-behavioral approach combines elements from various psychological traditions to progressively address ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth.
The term “moral” refers to moral reasoning based on levels of cognitive reasoning. The term “reconation” refers to the conscious process of making decisions—the bridge between thought and action. It comes from the psychological terms “conative” and “conation,” both of which refer to the process of making conscious decisions.
MRT operates on the assumption that happy, functioning individuals possess a strong sense of identity and higher levels of moral judgment. It aims to re-educate clients socially, morally, and behaviorally to instill appropriate goals, motivation, and values, such as empathy, responsibility, and respect for others, which are essential for personal development and social integration [1].
How MRT Works: The Step-by-Step System
MRT is a highly structured program using a specific workbook, typically consisting of 12 to 16 objectively defined steps. MRT takes the form of group and individual counseling using structured group exercises and prescribed homework assignments [2].
Individuals work with trained professionals in groups essentially structured like a class once or twice weekly over approximately 3 to 6 months, using homework assignments and structured exercises. Each workbook typically takes two sessions to complete.
The Seven Basic Treatment Issues
The program is organized around these seven basic treatment issues:
- Confrontation of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors
- Assessment of current relationships
- Reinforcement of positive behavioral habits
- Positive identity formation
- Enhancement of self-concept
- Decrease in hedonism and development of frustration tolerance
- Development of higher stages of moral reasoning
The Connection to Mental Health Recovery
MRT helps individuals with mental health conditions by addressing the negative thinking that often overlaps with self-destructive behaviors.
MRT completion correlates with increased scores on the “Purpose in Life” questionnaire, combating the depression and anxiety often linked to a lack of direction.
MRT helps individuals confront the consequences of their behavior and the effect that it has on their family, friends, and community.
The program seeks to move individuals from hedonistic (pleasure vs. pain) reasoning levels to levels where concern for social rules and others becomes important. MRT employs the “Freedom Ladder” metaphor that describes the concept of climbing a ladder from self-centered, hedonistic reasoning to a perspective where social rules and empathy for others guide behavior.
Who Benefits from MRT?
The primary groups that use MRT include:
- Individuals in mental health residential treatment
- Justice-involved individuals and drug courts
- Substance abuse treatment programs
- Veterans struggling with reintegration
It is a versatile approach with adaptations for anger management, domestic violence, and parenting, showing the flexibility of the core MRT principles.
Gender-Specific Trauma-Informed Care in San Diego County
There’s no wrong time to get started with your journey of recovery. With our gender-specific treatment paths, our team understands your unique story and concerns. We believe in working with you so you’ll be an active participant in planning your journey alongside your dedicated medical team.
We don’t just focus on the specific aspects of your mental health. We address every area that needs improvement. This includes nutrition programs and other components of self-care. We see you for the person you are. You’re more than your mental health conditions, and your treatment reflects that.
If you want to know more about our programs at Wings Recovery, give us a call anytime at 760-359-9950.
Sources
[1] Little G and K. Robinson. 1998. Moral Reconation Therapy: A Systematic Step-by-Step Treatment System for Treatment Resistant Clients. Psychological Reports. Vol. 62 (1) , 135-151. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1988.62.1.135
[2] Ensora Health. nd. What is Moral Reconation Therapy and how is it used?
