Choices for Change

A Program to Help Change Controlling and Abusive Behaviors in Men

Program Description

Choices for Change is a therapeutic program for men that provides education, tools, and techniques for changing abusive behaviours towards female partners.

The program is broken up into two phases:

• Phase one:is a eight week psycho educational phase which provides participants with the knowledge and tools to help them make a change in their behaviours.
• Phase two: Is a processing group where participants use the knowledge and tools they have gained in Phase One to examine and change their own behaviour. Phase Two is viewed as therapeutic group, where participants will work towards gaining a greater self awareness and understanding with their own beliefs, thoughts and behaviours and how that may impact their female partners.

This Program is for Men Who:

• May have used emotional abuse such as name calling, put downs and sarcasm towards their partner
• Intimidate or threaten their partner
• Blame the abuse on anger or substance abuse
• May have used physical abuse such as slapping, pushing, or restraining behaviours (blocking doorways, holding down partner)
• Make Promises about changing their abusive behaviours

 

Note the group is considered a 20 weeks minimum program. Some participants may be asked to continue past the 14 weeks in order to meet the milestones of the program and receive a completion. 

Participants will be required to attend weekly group sessions in order to complete the course.  The sessions will run for two hours with a ten minute break. Any missed sessions will need to be made up for a successful completion of the program.  While in treatment, participants will need to concentrate on their own abusive actions and will need to take full responsibility for any of their past abuses in order for any real success to take place.  Participants will have access to individual meetings with program facilitators to assess their progress in the program and/or deal with any concerns they may have.

Goals of the Program

To guide and support individuals through the process of changing abusive behaviours by fostering self-awareness, enhanced skill development and accountability. Individuals are required to attain certain objectives to fully complete treatment. The objectives below will be guides for the facilitators to see if you are gaining anything from the treatment:

• Commitment to changing abusive behaviours.
• Ability to take responsibility and be accountable for the abusive behaviours.
• Understanding how personal beliefs and attitudes influence abusive behaviours.
• Insight into problematic thought patterns and feelings and the ability to manage them appropriately.
• The ability to understand the effects of violence on their partner, their children and themselves.
• Self awareness and understanding of abusive behaviour patterns (cycle of abuse).
• Ability to utilize a safety plan in order to mange risky situations in a non-abusive manner.

 

Program Contents

Phase One: Psycho Educational Component – Topics

• Cycle of Violence, Power and Control, Beliefs and Values
• Warning Signs, Time Outs, Distorted Thinking
• Empathy, Bullying, Effects of Violence on Women and Children
• Transforming Communication Styles, Accepting Responsibility, Self Evaluation

NOTE: Participants must attend all psycho educational sessions in order to enter into phase two.

Phase Two: Processing Groups

In the processing groups, the goal is to have the participant use the knowledge they have gained in phase one to examine their behavior and how changing it could make a positive impact on both themselves and their families’ lives.

With weekly check ins participants have an opportunity to report to the group on their recent behaviours and get feedback on what sort of options they have towards change. During this phase participants will also gain skills related to self awareness and self management. In addition to this, some sessions will include mini educational discussions such as, dealing with shame, self care, and jealousy.

Date and Times of Sessions

Phase one (psycho educational sessions) take place on Wednesday’s from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (note: participants must attend every psycho educational session in order to enter into phase two). In order to attend participants must attend an individual intake for the program first. New program start dates generally occur every six to eight weeks (please call or email for next available start date for the program).

Phase two (processing) sessions will occur every Thursday night from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Individuals must complete phase one and meet with facilitators before moving into phase two.

All sessions will be held at Family Service Regina located at 2020 Halifax Street, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Program Fees

Program fees are based on a sliding fee scale which is based on participant’s net income. Fees can range anywhere from five to twenty dollars a session. This will be determined upon completion of your treatment intake. Fees for the treatment must be paid prior to the start of each phase (unpaid fees will cause a delay in the involvement in program).

Referrals

Participants can be referred to Choices for Change in a number of ways:

• Self referral
• Doctor
• Child Protection Worker
• Probation Worker
• Counselor

When an individual has been referred to the group, program staff will conduct an intake assessment to determine eligibility.

Contact Information

For more information to register please contact Tracey Smela at Family Service Regina by phoning 757-6675 ext: 256 or email tsmela@familyserviceregina.com.