Supporting Survivors to Recover from the Impacts of Domestic Violence – Unresolved Anger

Course description

Anger is a natural reaction to vawg but anger is a particularly problematic emotion in our society, especially for a woman. Many learn that 'nice' women don't raise their voices - they are supposed to just cry or cope. A woman might also learn to hide anger because her abuser 'would give her something to be really angry about' or because she is determined not to 'sink to his level.' Women become prevented from natural expression of their feelings - but may suffer from suppressing or over-controlling their emotions. Having these left over feelings can come out in various ways: women might feel like they have lost any feeling, like zombies; they might snap when they don't mean to or they might get depressed or sick (turning the anger on themselves). This course is based on principles that all feelings are healthy, that beliefs influence how we express feelings and that we can complete 'unfinished business' or unresolved anger in a safe way, using techniques adapted from experiential therapies.

Learning objectives

• To explore the links between vawg and anger
• To separate anger and violence, now and in the past
• To talk about beliefs or 'rules' about expressing feelings (including anger)
• To identify differences between healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger
• To discuss options for ways to validate and express anger safely
• To follow a simple guide to 'empty chair' work
• To set up experiments in a safe way
• To explore options for women to feel empowered to control and accept their anger
• To take away handouts for women struggling with anger towards their abuser(s).

Who should attend?

This course is designed for people working with women who have experienced vawg and who 'over-control' or 'suppress' their anger. (It will not cover women who need help to manage systematic use of aggression or intimidating behaviours). It is a high-energy course involving experiential exercises and personal work in the group. It is assumed that delegates do not have any knowledge about therapy or counselling.

 

National Occupation Standards

This course will help develop the skills and knowledge to support the following National Occupational Standards (NOS) - for more information about NOS click here.

BH202 Challenge public attitudes towards domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence

GK105 Advocate on behalf of victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence

GK102 Deliver interventions towards increasing the safety of individual victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence

GK101 Provide access to information for victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence

DE5 (CJ C205) Establish and maintain contact with victims, survivors and witnesses which acknowledges the effects of their experience

BI201 Assess the needs of and risks to victims/survivors of domestic abuse/violence

BI302 Contribute to developing plans towards managing the risk of harm to victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence

GK104 Empower victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse/violence to recover and to regain control of their lives

MH1 Promote effective communication and relationships with people who are troubled or distressed

MH2 Enable people with mental health needs to access and benefit from services systems

MH99 Establish and agree the therapeutic contract

MH100 Establish and maintain the therapeutic relationship

MH14 Identify potential mental health needs and related issues

MH15 Refer individuals to mental health and/or other services

MH19 Co-ordinate, monitor and review service responses to meet individuals' needs and circumstances

MH27 Reinforce positive behavioural goals during relationships with individuals

MH45 Enable people with mental health needs to develop coping strategies

MH48 Work with people to identify their needs for safety, support and engagement and how these needs can best be addressed

MH49 Enable people who are a risk to themselves and others to develop control

MH62 Determine the concerns and priorities of individuals

MH63 Work with individuals and families to develop services to improve their mental health and address their mental health needs

 

Please contact Sophie Taylor - sophie.taylor@avaproject.org.uk - the Training & Events Co-ordinator, for information and price quotes.