DOMESTIC VIOLENCE eDUCATION AND TREATMENT Program

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE eDUCATION AND TREATMENT Program

The Domestic Violence Education and Treatment Program is a Domestic Violence Court initiative that delivers a specialized community-based individual/group education/counselling program to offenders who have been mandated by the court to attend an Anger Management or Domestic Violence Program in response to a criminal charge involving domestic violence.

How This Program Works:

We have been educated by the leaders in this field to ensure that people who call themselves Domestic Violence Education and Treatment Specialists actually know what they are doing. We incorporate a comprehensive and balanced Domestic Violence Education and Treatment Program, based on the Duluth Model and the Power and Control Model for treating domestic violence offenders, as an intervention program.

Within the Domestic Violence Education and Treatment program provided by Alternative Methods:

Individuals must fully complete each of the 52 modules, as well as the exercises found therein, by ‘personalizing’ what they are learning in the program, into their workbook.

Once successfully completing all the module requirements to the satisfaction of the NAMA guidelines set forth by the Domestic Violence Education and Treatment Specialist, they receive their certificate of completion and letter for:

  • Court Purposes

  • Employment Purposes

  • Educational Purposes

  • Personal Growth Purposes

We are ‘Certified Domestic Violence Specialists’ (CDVS-II) and a registered member of the National Anger Management Association (NAMA – Which is represented in over 21 countries worldwide).

The Domestic Violence Education and Treatment Program involves each individual discussing modules 1 through 52 culminating in a final assessment at the end of each individualized program. A comprehensive report and/or a Certificate of Completion will be issued, subject only to the approval of the Ontario Justice Court System Representative, after the successful completion of the program.

Utilizing tools to cultivate Cognitive Awareness while using the latest in Mindfulness Techniques, we will assist you in using what is taught by addressing your daily lifestyle, and how these newly learned techniques can be implemented. As human beings, we have the capacity to develop and grow as adults, far beyond childhood and adolescence, our lives are not predetermined and they ARE subject to change.

  • Effective open communication within relationships, discussing more specifically: core characteristics of relationships, non-violent behaviour in relationships and equality in relationships

  • Stress management in relationships

  • Family of origin issues as these relate to partner assault

  • Responsible Parenting

  • Short and long term effects of partner assault

  • Focusing on Socio-Economic Abuse and how to ensure that there is an Economic Partnership

  • Review of the above topics

  • Conclusion and Final Assessment

We Offer:

  • Group classes

  • Individual sessions

  • Open Enrolment – This means participants may join lessons in progress, they do not have to wait, you can get help today.

  • Times that suit you (days, evenings, and weekends)

  • We offer classes and individual sessions with a Gender-inclusive focus and are fully dynamic and able to meet the unique needs of every individual.

We currently offer the Domestic Violence Education and Training Program in Simcoe County. All participant referrals may come through probation or the court system, Lawyers, Family Doctors, Friends and Relatives. All participants are required to complete a confidentiality form upon being enrolled as an individual or in a group. Participants who are enrolled in either the group or individual sessions must complete an intake form to continue.

Domestic Violence Specialists and Anger Management Specialists have been educated by the leaders in this field to ensure that people who call themselves Domestic Violence and Anger Management Specialists actually know what they are doing.

This Program is for:

  • Individual training for professionals

  • Court ordered participation

  • Corporate recommended education and training

History doesn’t have to repeat itself.

The following topics are discussed and worked through during the session in the Domestic Violence Education and Training Program:

  • Assessment: narrative, the context of precipitating events (Understanding why you are here)

  • Alternatives to using intimidation, utilizing Non-Threatening Behaviour

  • Moving from Emotional Abuse to Respect

  • A focus on not Isolating oneself, while enabling Trust and Support for others

  • Moving from Minimizing, Denying, Blaming and Shaming to Honesty, Accountability, Integrity and Self-Regulation

  • Growing from Coercion and Threats to enabling Negotiation and Fairness, culminating with Forgiveness in relationships

  • Anger awareness (with a focus on internal cues: psychological and physiological changes)

  • Anger interventions and applications e.g. non-retaliation in confrontations, defusing anger in interpersonal interactions, mindfulness in everyday life, letting go and not holding on. Individuals maintain an ongoing ‘Anger Log’ to assist in this.