Alternatives to Domestic Violence (PDF)

Alternatives to Domestic Violence is a practical, hands-on workbook designed for counselors to help abusers recognize and deal with the issues underlying their behavior. Each technique presented in this manual has been tested in actual groups and refined for inclusion. The authors provide case studies and exercises to stimulate active participation by group members. Topics covered include: defining abuse, creating trusting relationships, giving and receiving respect, taking responsibility for actions and creating effective communication.The second edition of Alternatives to Domestic Violence includes many new features, including two new chapters: an introductory chapter titled "Before Starting Group" and an additional chapter on "Religion and Domestic Violence." The introductory chapter orients group members to the group process as well as the specific workings of a domestic violence group.This workbook is a necessary tool for all psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors involved in battering intervention programs. The second edition includes new original stories from group members that serve to illuminate topic concepts as well as updated exercised. The authors have been using this book in different states for the past five years, and have made their revisions to the text based on their interactions with actual domestic violence groups. The result is a text that has been improved through first hand, clinical usage: ineffective exercises have been weeded out and replaced with exercises whose effectiveness has been proven in groupwork. Patterned after recognized approaches including the Duluth Model and AMEND (Abusive Men Exploring New Directions), it is easily integrated into existing curricula.