In 2009, Dr. Glasser charged Dr. Lester Triché with the mission to teach Choice Theory®.
"The Choice Theory Connections Program is to become a nationally recognized training program for teaching Choice Theory to women in state correctional institutions. I propose special recognition for those completing the program by achieving competence in the understanding and application of Choice Theory in their lives. The Director will create, design, and implement the program, especially for a correctional institution, and will be charged with the following:
- Preparation, training, and mentoring of instructors
- Verifying the self-evaluation process
- Conferring credentials for the successful completion of the program by students from the inmate population
- Conducting research pertinent to the efficacy of the program, using accepted standards of measurement
- Creating a sustainable model to assure continuation of the program wherever implemented
- Presenting the ideas and program function to whoever would benefit as recipient of the information or show interest in replicating the program in their setting
- Creating documentation for public dissemination
- Acting as liaison with the William Glasser Institute
- Sharing information about the Choice Theory Connections Program with the William Glasser Institute membership world-wide."
Endorsements, Awards, and Recognition
Endorsements
Internal Empowerment Programs are Approved by:
- Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Extension
- William Glasser International
- Glasser Institute for Choice Theory US
- William Glasser, Inc.
Internal Empowerment Programs are Certified as a:
- CE provider by The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
- Provider by the California Board of State and Community Corrections-Standards and Training
“My late husband, William Glasser, M.D., enthusiastically endorsed the work of Lester and RoxAnne Triché, which led to the creation of Internal Empowerment Coaching and includes ideas my husband created over a span of 60 years. His legacy now includes the work currently being done by Les and RoxAnne through Internal Empowerment, Inc.
This outstanding website created by Les and RoxAnne about Internal Empowerment is a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to improve their lives. My husband would have been so proud of what Les and RoxAnne have accomplished here and would have encouraged you to join and support this highly effective movement to increase the happiness quotient of the world now and for future generations.”
Carleen GlasserWilliam Glasser, Inc. President and wife of Dr. William Glasser 2017
“I would highly recommend Les Triché and his constituents as more than highly qualified individuals for facilitating a Choice Theory training with any interested educational leaders in the K–12 and post-secondary school systems locally, regionally, and nationally."
Gerry Catanzarite, Ed.D.Principal, Big Picture Middle and high School, 2015
Awards and Recognition
In October 2016, the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) approved Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching as part of the evidence-supported certification for Reality Therapy. This certification was published in NREPP’s Journal, December 2016.
In January 2014, Loyola Marymount University published a study of 175 women who participated in some portion of the Choice Theory Connections program from November 2007 through November 2012, which showed a 2.9% recidivism rate compared to the 57% average recidivism rate of other women who have not been through the course.
In July 2013, Dr. William Glasser, MD acknowledged the Choice Theory Connections Program in his book entitled Take Charge of Your Life: How to Get What You Need with Choice Theory Psychology, page 225, which states:
”For many years, choice theory has been implemented in court-mandated diversion programs, by parole officers, and in prisons. Currently, a program called Choice Theory Connection Program has become very successful at the California Institution for Women. Follow-up studies show that, after three years’ implementation, of the women trained in choice theory, who have been paroled, there had been less than 5 percent recidivism. Choice theory, used as a rehabilitation program, helps inmates get along better with each other and with the staff and ultimately live happier, more productive lives. The book Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom is read and studied at the prison, and recently, the program’s Director, Les Triché (formerly Johnson), has adopted, Take Charge of Your Life as a textbook in the curriculum he has created.“
In July 2011, the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) awarded Les the Community Service Award for his exemplary contributions to the field of psychology, through implementation and results of the Choice Theory® Connections-Internal Empowerment Coaching program. The award was given at the 43rd Annual ABPsi International Convention, and the 7th ABPsi International Congress on Licensure, Certification, and Proficiency in Black Psychology, Washington D.C.
Historical Timeline
2007
July: The Choice Theory®-Internal Empowerment Coaching program was offered at the California Institution for Women, Corona, CA, to the Level I-IV incarcerated persons.
August: The Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching program was offered to faculty members at El Prado Adult School & College Programs, Corona, CA.
August: Les was certified by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as a Master Facilitator in “Gender Responsive Strategies” at the University of California, Fresno.
August: Les began training in Reality Therapy/Choice Theory Certification in Los Angeles, CA, at Loyola Marymount University’s campus.
September: Les in conjunction with LMU researchers began conducting psychoeducational surveys, assessments, and focus group activities to assess the effectiveness of the Choice Theory -Internal Empowerment Coaching program.
2009
March: Dr. William Glasser charged Les Triché with expansion of the Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching program, now called the “Choice Theory Connections-Internal Empowerment Coaching Program.”
May: Les conducted various Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching workshops for Faith Missions International, San Dimas, CA, and Johannesburg, South Africa’s headquarters/ministries.
2010
February: Les was endorsed as Reality Therapy/Choice Theory Certified by the William Glasser Institute.
December: Les was endorsed as a Basic Practicum Supervisor by the William Glasser Institute.
2011
May: Les was endorsed as an Advanced Practicum Supervisor by the William Glasser Institute.
September: Les presented “Choice Theory, Does It Really Work?” at the International Recovery Summit held at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA.
2012
January: RoxAnne began the Internal Empowerment Coaching Certificate program through Loyola Marymount University.
March: Les conducted “Basic Intensive Training,” at the Banquet House
March: RoxAnne completed “Basic Intensive Training” with the William Glasser Institute.
April: Loyola Marymount University Extension approved the Choice Theory®-Internal Empowerment Coaching program for 42 university credits as a Certificate Program in Internal Empowerment.
June: Les was certified as a Basic Intensive Instructor by the William Glasser Institute.
June: Les conducted “Choice Theory®-Basic Intensive Training” for High School students in Orange County, CA .
November: Les in conjunction with LMU researchers finalized psychoeducational surveys, assessments, and focus group activities to assess the effectiveness of the Choice Theory Connections–Internal Empowerment Coaching Program.
2014
January: Loyola Marymount University published the study of 175 women who participated in some portion of the Choice Theory program from November 2007 through November 2012, which showed a 2.9% recidivism rate compared to the average recidivism rate of 57%.
March: RoxAnne received an Internal Empowerment Coach certificate diploma from Loyola Marymount University.
July: Internal Empowerment Coaching Overview was provided to a middle manager from Abbott Medical Optics, at the Internal Empowerment office training site.
September: Internal Empowerment Coaching Practicum training was provided to a middle manager from Medical Optics, at our office training site.
December: Les offered, for the first time in the USA, Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment training in a “Security Housing Unit” at the California Institution for Women, Corona, CA.
December: Les offered, for the first time in the USA, Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment training in a Mental Health Unit at the California Institution for Women, Corona, CA.
2015
January: Les offered Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching to gang members and non-gang members, as an “after-care program,” in South Central Los Angeles, CA.
March: Les offered the Internal Empowerment Coaching program at Big Picture Middle and High School, Fresno, CA.
June: Internal Empowerment was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Public Benefit, Non-profit Corporation, Sacramento, CA.
July: Les conducted “Reality Therapy®/Choice Theory Basic Week Training,” at the William Glasser Institute, International Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
July: Les received endorsement by The William Glasser Institute as Senior Faculty, which is the highest faculty rank in the institute.
August: Internal Empowerment began offering the Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching program to 70 incarcerated men at Centinela State Prison, Level III and IV incarcerated persons.
August: Internal Empowerment began offering the Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching program at the Centinela Desert Institute, Imperial, CA.
October: The California Board of State and Community Corrections’ Standards approved Internal Empowerment, Inc. as a “Provider” to teach the IEC program to correctional staff and offenders.
2016
March:Internal Empowerment training was provided to a lead person from Wal-Mart at the Internal Empowerment office training site.
June: Internal Empowerment increased the number of classes to three to five days a week in the California Institution for Woman, Corona, CA.
July: Internal Empowerment began the introduction process of its TRICHÉ-FACT (Train Responsible Internal Empowerment Coaches to Help Énhance - Families', Agencies' and Corporations’ Transition to effective coaching and leadership). The Program is an aftercare program that bridges communication and connectivity gaps between incarcerated persons, their families, employer, communities, and others.
August: Les Triché and RoxAnne Triché were certified as Teacher, Speaker, and Coach, after study at the John Maxwell’s Team On-Line University, Orlando FL.
August: Internal Empowerment conducted the first Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching graduation ceremony in the USA for male incarcerated persons at Centinela State Prison.
October: Internal Empowerment began offering “Internal Empowerment Leadership and Coaching” (LC) at the California Institution for Women, Corona, CA.
2017
February: RoxAnne completed the Advanced Intensive Training from the William Glasser Institute.
July: Carleen Glasser and Les announced plans for Internal Empowerment to publish a website containing a comprehensive compilation of William Glasser's legacy.
October: RoxAnne was recommended by Carleen Glasser, to become Choice Theory/Reality Therapy certified, by The William Glasser Institute, which the Institute affirmed on October 21, 2017.