THE EVOLUTION OF SHORT-TERM COUNSELING, ITS USES AND ADVANTAGES, ARE EXAMINED. SHORT-TERM COUNSELING GIVES OFFENDERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-DISCOVERY. THEY CAN FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM BY SOCIETY AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY CAN REEDUCATE THEMSELVES IN THESE AREAS, AS A STAFF AID, COUNSELING SESSIONS MAY SERVE AS A GAUGE OF GROUP FEELINGS, PROVIDE THE WORKER/COUNSELOR WITH INFORMATION AND INSIGHT INTO THE THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, NEEDS, AND ACTIONS OF THE GROUP MEMBERS, AND THEREFORE, HELP TO HUMANIZE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS. GROUP COUNSELING ENHANCES THE PROFESSIONALISM OF AN INSTITUTION BY CREATING A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CUSTODY AND CLINICAL FUNCTIONS. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR TASKS TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE DETAILED. COUNSELORS WILL NEED SUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR GROUP MEMBERS AS AGE, SEX, RACE, AND EDUCATIONAL LEVEL BEFORE FORMULATING A PROGRAM; EVALUATE AND SELECT POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION, SCHEDULE THE SESSIONS, RESERVE A ROOM, AND MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEATING AND EQUIPMENT. GROUP MEMBERS CAN ALSO BE INVOLVED IN PREPLANNING THE SESSIONS BY DISCUSSING PREFERRED TOPICS AND DECIDING WHETHER TO MAINTAIN ACTIVE OR PASSIVE POSITION IN RELATION TO THE DISCUSSION LEADER. INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPENING A COUNSELING SESSION INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, PROCEDURES FOR MAKING THE GROUP COMFORTABLE, DIRECTIONS FOR INTRODUCING TOPICS, AND INITIATING DISCUSSION, AND MEASURES FOR EVALUATING GROUP REACTIONS. THE COUNSELOR MUST REMAIN FLEXIBLE AND MAINTAN A LOGICAL ONGOING DIALOGUE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SELECTING, MATCHING, AND PHRASING DISCUSSION TOPICS, FOR CHOOSING COUNSELING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES AND FOR KEEPING THE SESSION MOVING ARE INCLUDED. GUIDELINES FOR TERMINATING THE DISCUSSION AT THE PREARRANGED TIME AND INTERPRETATIONS OF POSSIBLE GROUP REACTIONS ARE PRESENTED. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE MOMENTUM BUILT UP DURING THE SESSION WILL CONTINUE AFTER IT ENDS AND METHODS FOR REINFORCING THIS PROCESS ARE DISCUSSED. AFTER THE MEETING IS OVER, THE SESSION SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES AND COUNSELOR PERFORMANCE. A BRIEF RESOURCE GUIDE AND NOTES ON THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR ARE INCLUDED. (DAG) AFTER THE MEETING IS COMPLETED, THE CONTENTS AND TECHNIQUES OF THE SESSION SHOULD BE EVALUATED ALONG WITH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES AND COUNSELOR PERFORMANCE. A BRIEF GUIDE FOR USING RESOURCES IS INLCUDED, AS WELL AS NOTES ON THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR. (DAG)