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This is a group therapy program for male offenders between the ages of 18-30 with criminal domestic violence charges, who are also on probation or parole. The group will focus on identifying the root cause of domestically violent behavior, identify triggers for reacting with domestic violence and provide ways in which the offender can realistically reduce their risk of re-offending.

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The benefit to the participants is to empower them with therapeutic techniques and interpersonal skills they can utilize in the world to prevent them from offending again.

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·           Attendees will be able to identify their personal triggers which can potentially lead to them acting out in a violent way.

·           Attendees will identify positive coping skills and de-escalation techniques which can be used to better handle and cope with

their emotions in a non-violent way.

·           Attendees will demonstrate their ability to practice self-control by sharing a moment in which they were able to employ what they learned in the group which changed the outcome of a situation in which they normally would have reacted violently.

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Closed, small group format with a maximum of 10 participants. The group will meet once a week on Thursdays from 6:00PM-8:00PM beginning 10/10/2024 for a period of 24 weeks over the course of 6 months with each lesson spanning over the course of 4 weeks. The group will be held at the Lubbock Adult Community Supervision Office at 701 Main St, Lubbock, TX 79401.

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1. Fundamental Understanding of Domestic Violence

2. Accepting Your Involvement in the DV Pattern

3. Establishing Triggers

4. Developing Healthy Coping Skills & De-Escalation Techniques

5. Putting it to Practice

6. Reflection Period

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-Imparting of Information: As the therapist, didactic information will be presented to attendees by way of providing them ways in which they can decrease their violent tendencies

-Instillation of Hope: instilling hope that one can utilize the information provided to change their patterns of behavior will be imperative in this group.

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Democratic Leadership will be most productive with a group such as this because it is important to allow the offenders to feel as if they have some say in what is happening while providing firm boundaries and an environment in which they can truly learn. 

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Kristof, N. and WuDunn, K. Lesson Plan: Domestic Violence in the USA: Barriers and Resources.

https://cdn.itvs.org/lesson_a_path_appears-domestic-violence.pdf

Academy 4 Social Change. Domestic Violence: Not Always Home Sweet Home - Gender Equality Series.

https://cdn.itvs.org/lesson_a_path_appears-domestic-violence.pdf

Domestic Violence Offender Management Board. Colorado Division of Criminal Justice. https://cdpsdocs.state.co.us/dcj/DCJ%20External%20Website/DVOMB/DVRNA%20Scoring%20Sheet%20Fill%20in.pdf

Cherry, K. 2023. How to Lead: 6 Leadership Styles and Frameworks. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

American School Counselors Association. Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Between Sessions Resources. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

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•      Stage 1- Relationships and trust will be addressed by first allowing everyone to get to know each other and being honest with one another about what brought each attendee to the group. Limits of confidentiality and confidentiality agreements will be signed with the acknowledgement that it may not be fully guaranteed.

•      Stage 2- Members will be encouraged to share with one another, taking turns practicing validation, accepting accountability and working together towards developing working learning outcomes that can be used to help attendees overcome their violent pasts. At the beginning of each group, the therapist will ask each member to state how they have felt in the past week and if they have been able to put any lessons into practice.

•      Stage 3- Group will be ended with a post-assessment and therapist will continue to follow up with the attendees' probation officers to verify that they are not re-offending in the community and continue to practice growth.

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Facilitating a group of offenders with domestic violence charges, there is a safety risk in that a member may act out

behaviorally during the group, requiring physical intervention. Due to this safety concern, the group will be facilitated within

a probation office with a deputy present in the building so as to keep the facilitator and other group members safe at all

times. It is further noted that while this group will not be a requirement of the members’ probation conditions, their overall behavior and successful completion of the group will be discussed with their probation officers. Referrals when necessary will be provided when offenders' needs surpass the expertise of the therapist.

· There is also a risk of an offender revealing continued violence against a victim, or themselves. As a professional who is required by law to report instances such as these, I would alert the proper authorities.

· Informed consent and a confidentiality agreement will be obtained from each group member on the first date of the group.

Confidentiality will be explained during the opening of the group and will continue to be encouraged at the beginning of

each group meeting thereafter. If it is learned that confidentiality is broken, the facilitator will discuss the extent to which

confidentiality was broken and address it openly with other group members so as to allow them to practice forgiveness as

well as trust.