Domestic Violence: Assessment and Treatment

A 40 Hour Online Class for Facilitators of Batterers Intervention Programs

Instructor: Daniel J. Sonkin, Ph.D.

Contact Info:daniel.sonkin@gmail.com

Goals of Program:

1. To develop the necessary skills to provide court-mandated treatment to male and female perpetators of domestic violence
2. To learn how to conduct assessments of domestic violence perpetators
3. To learn how to conduct a violence history
4. To identify factors that increase risk in domestic violence
5. To understand the difference between diagnosis and violent behavior
6. To identify the legal and ethical issues inherent in domestic violence treatment
7. To learn how to develop a measurable treatment plan with domestic violence perpetrators
8. To recognize and address childhood abuse issues with perpetrators
9. To identify behaviors necessary for graduation from treatment
10. To be able to recognize the differences and similarities between male and female perpetrators
11. To recognize and address cultural factors in treatment of perpetrators
12. To understand the needs of victims and the couple dynamics of domestic violence

California Penal Code requires that facilitators of Batterers Intervention Programs (1203.097c) receive 40 hours of core basic training and 16 hours of yearly continuing education. This 40 hours continuing education program will meet all of the core training requirements.

To complete the class you must read the material and answer the questions at the end of each session.You can also contact me at any time during the workshop using the email or phone number above.There is no time limit on this workshop – you can take as long or short as you like.However, there is a lot to read, so you may want to take your time in order to better digest the material. The material breaks down into the following sections:

1. Tx Overview
2. Assessment Part 1
3. Assessment Part 2
4. Violence History
5. Risk/Lethality Assessment
6. Differential Diagnosis
7. Child Abuse Reporting
8. Treatment Goals, Methods and Evaluation
9. Addressing Childhood Abuse
10. Graduation and Termination Issues
11. Victims of Domestic Violence
12. Women Perpetrators
13. Coordinated Community Response Videos and other Media

Along the way you will be asked questions (using forms to complete), to read additional material (that you can download to your computer) and have the opportunity to ask me questions via email. In order to receive your certificate of completion, you need to complete the evaluation form at the end of the workshop. Once I receive your evaluation, I will send you a link for your certificate of completion via email.

Included with your fee for this class is my ebook, Domestic Violence: The Court Mandated Perpetrator and Assessment Handbook, and the Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Software. Click on the link below to access this information for your personal use.

Download ebook and assessment software

You begin by clicking on the “Let’s Get Started” link at the bottom of this page.Remember, this is an interactive workshop.Feel free to contact me at any time with questions or comments.I hope you enjoy the material.

Your First Reading Assignment

Before getting into the clinical material, please read Penal Code 1203.097. This is the California domestic violence law that mandates this training, as well as other requirements for providers of intervention services for court-mandated perpetrators. At the bottom of that page, you will be directed to the first section of this workshop, Treatment Overview.

I Am Ready to Move On