Court-Mandated Perpetrator Assessment and Treatment Handbook

Introduction

Treatment Overview

Clinical Modality
Family and Couples Therapy
Therapy versus Education
Group Psychotherapy
Length of Treatment
Missed Sessions
Dealing with Missed Appointments Clinically

The Assessment Process

Making it Safe for You
Setting the Frame: Informed Consent
Setting the Frame: Confidentiality
Setting the Frame: Privilege
Developing Rapport: An Overview
The Therapeutic Alliance
Client Motivation: An Overview
Male Perpetrators and Therapy
Motivation in Clients of Color
Evaluating the Motivation of the Court Mandated Client
Relapses
Motivation and Reports to Third Parties
Determining Suitability
High Risk Cases
Other Special Treatment Issues
Assessment of Suitability Summary
Differential Diagnosis
Psychoactive Substance Disorders
Personality Disorders
Neurological Impairment
Taking a Violence History

Psychological Violence Assessment

Psychological Maltreatment of Children
The Conflict Tactics Scale
Amnesty International Definition
The Psychological Violence towards Women Inventory
The Power and Control Wheel
The Penal Code and Non-Physical Violence
Clinical Issues
Psychological Violence Inventory

Risk/Lethality Assessment

Domestic Violence Risk/Lethality Research
Lethality: The Legal Perspective
Risk Checklist

Child Abuse Reporting

What is Child Maltreatment?
Deciding to Report

The Social History

Who Conducts the Assessment and for How Long?
Procuring a Signed Authorization to Release Information
The Assessment Process: Review
Matching the Client to the Right Group
Clients Who Are Not Accepted into the Program
Clients Who are Accepted into the Program
The Limitations of Treatment
Informed Consent Form
Victim/Partner Contact
Legal Issues: Collateral Contacts

Client Fees

Treatment Goals, Methods and Evaluation

Goal 1: Emotional Regulation
Goal 2: Education on Dynamics of Domestic Violence
Goal 3: Social Problem Solving Skills
Secondary Goals

Running the Group

The Check-In Check-In Questions
Prioritizing Client Work: Processing Acts of Violence
Prioritizing Client Work: Reporting Acts of Violence
Prioritizing Client Work: Volatile Situations
Prioritizing Client Work: Reporting of Violence Perpetrated Towards The Client
Prioritizing Client Work: Non-use of Anger Management Skills
Prioritizing Client Work: Summary
Introducing New Members into the Group
Homework for Group Members

The Basic Homework Assignments: Time-Outs and Anger Journal

The Time-Out: A Definition
How Time-Outs Work
Difficulties in taking Time-Outs
Practice Time-Outs
The Anger Journal
Other Homework Assignments/Therapeutic Interventions

Addressing Childhood Abuse

The Psychological Effects of Abuse
The Effects of Specific Types of Abuse
Abuse and Attachment
Protective factors
Memories and Childhood Abuse

Graduation and Termination Issues

Causes for termination (and examples)
Mandatory Termination
What is Successful Completion of Treatment?
Has This Person Changed?
Concluding Treatment
Closing ritual

California Domestic Violence Law
Appendix - Forms

Section A Clinician Assessment and Treatment Forms

Domestic Violence Program Intake Form
Spouse Abuse History Form
Spouse Abuse Injury Form
Child Abuse History Form
Child Abuse Injury Form
Risk Checklist
Risk Checklist Recommendations & Report Paragraphs
Sample Report
Client Transmittal Summary
Progress/Enrollment/Termination Report
Client Evaluation Form
Individualized Treatment Plan
Domestic Violence Critical Incident Form
Victim Contact Form
Client Group Notes

Section B Client Treatment Forms

Program Rules Form
Definitions of Physical, Sexual and Psychological Violence
Evaluation Guidelines
Program Rules
Group Therapy Confidentiality Policy
Group Therapy Confidentiality Agreement
Fee and Payment Policies
A Sample Co-Payment Schedule (Group Treatment)
Summary of Rules for Domestic Violence Program
Authorization for Release of Information (Partner/spouse)
Authorization for Release of Information (Probation/other)

Section C Client Handouts

How to stop the violence - NOW!
The Anger Journal