cultural context model: Therapy for couples with domestic violence, The

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Jul 1999 by Almeida, Rhea V, Durkin, Tracy

Sponsors help other men to view their problems and their choices by taking into consideration their partners, their children, and their families. They teach other men to always evaluate the impact their choices have on others.

Initial Assessment. Assessment for domestic violence should be an integral part of the screening process for all couples, whatever the presenting problem may be. The issues that bring couples to treatment will vary but may include child-focused concerns, loss or chronic illness, extended family conflicts, depression, anxiety, or addiction.

Couples often present with literal descriptions of marital issues-money problems, child-rearing disagreements, sexual problems, feelings of dissatisfaction in the relationship-that they couch in neutral terms such as "communication problems." Rarely, however, are issues mutual or gender-neutral (Bepko, 1991). The categories of power and control need to be explored thoroughly (Almeida et al., 1998).

Regardless of whether the couple self-reports violence, they should first be seen (briefly) conjointly to gather some general information about the presenting problem and their families of origin. Then, the remainder of the initial assessment should be done with each partner individually. This sequence offers the therapist the opportunity to obtain specific information regarding power and control dimensions and to screen for domestic violence without compromising the safety of the woman and/or entering into a power struggle with the man.

Violence is grossly underreported by both batterers and victims. Therefore, when a man volunteers information about his violence, the therapist should be mindful that the violence is likely to be much more serious than what is being reported and attempt to obtain a voluntary contract for entry into a batterers' program. The therapist should never ask the victim if the information her partner has offered regarding the violence is accurate or gather her narrative on the violence in his presence. Both of these interventions will surely escalate his violence, as they confront his pride directly.

Interviewing the couple together, and then each partner individually, is an immediate way to address a potentially dangerous situation-it allows time to begin to teach the victim about patterns of domestic violence, to suggest continued work in a men's culture circle with the man and, if necessary, to move the man into spheres of protection toward his partner (i.e., restraining order, moving out temporarily). Individual therapy with men who are using violence against their partners is contraindicated for a number of reasons. The most crucial reason is that it reinforces the rules of privacy that are at the core of patriarchy. Further, it privileges men's tendency to focus on their own victimization and ultimately supports their entitlement. Individual therapy, no matter how radical in content, runs counter to the public nature of group conversation and accountability.

Phase H Intervention: Separate Culture Circles for Men and Women