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

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

Historically, research has shown that batterers' programs that are approximately 52 weeks long produce better results than those of shorter duration, although more recent data indicate that programs as brief as 12 weeks may be effective (Gondolf, 1997). Our programs set a minimum of 36 weeks of the second phase of treatment for men who are mandated (i.e., have restraining orders against them) for services. We believe that the positive results gained by shorter programs can only be sustained through vigilant monitoring by the courts and probation, so we maintain close contact with those systems on behalf of our clients.

Our model combines initial group intervention for the batterers with separate group treatment for the victims. In this context, both men and women are educated with clear guidelines about how and when couples work will be useful. Couples work with violent men is not even considered during Phase I of therapy. However, women are often put under pressure to negotiate for conjoint couples therapy-they will often say that they do not know how their issues will be resolved if they are not talking in the room together. This urgency often comes from partners, who want to be in the same room to monitor what is being said about them. Men may exert pressure by "making deals," or promising to change, if a woman will insist on couples therapy. Women are also often influenced by well-intentioned religious leaders, extended family members, or adult children to seek more traditional marriage counseling, where the couple is treated together. In spite of their expressed need to be together, it is our ethical responsibility not to see the couple together during this phase, in the interest of the safety of the battered woman and her children.

Nonviolent men and their partners who enter our program follow the same 36-week phase of treatment. However, intermittent couples or family work may begin for nonviolent men during Phase II, based on their awareness of how they may have used other, nonviolent, means of gaining power and control in their families and on the willingness they show to change those patterns.

Culture circles. In Phase II, men and women are first placed in separate socioeducational "culture circles" (Almeida et al., 1998) to heighten their consciousness regarding sexism and other forms of privilege and oppression. Once they have completed the socioeducational orientation, individuals then enter larger, ongoing culture circles (openended, same-sex groups). Sponsors participate in this context, which addresses a number of relationship issues, including family-of-origin and couples relationships, parenting, work, and friendships. Assisting the partners-separately-to address issues within the marriage and/or extended family system (the central structure for many cultures)-such as childcare, money, and intergenerational conflict-can replace traditional couples work. This model of intervention is crucial for men and women whose racial or cultural backgrounds are centered around a consciousness of family and community life.