Domestic Violence Offenders Treatment Program

The Bringing Peace to Relationships Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) workbook is used in the group. Each group member will complete all 24 modules of the workbook working to recognize negative thought processes and understand barriers to healthy relationships. The workbook is divided into 24 modules with each module completed in a group session. Group members complete homework for each module before coming to a session. In the group, each group member presents his or her homework and the facilitator passes them to the next module — or has them redo the homework based on the objective criteria. This program ranges from 26-52 weeks long, depending on the group member’s progress. This group follows the 2007 Wisconsin State Standards for Domestic Abuse Batters Treatment. Before beginning group therapy evaluations for alcohol/drug abuse and psychological well-being are conducted.

Moral Reconatin Therapy (MRT)

Moral Reconatin Therapy (MRT) is a treatment strategy that focuses on the inappropriate beliefs and behaviors of an abuser’s attempt to exert power and control. Moral Reconation Therapy is a Cognitive-Behavioral approach to breaking the cycle of abuse. MRT leads to enhanced moral reasoning, better decision-making, and more appropriate behavior. Its cognitive-behavioral approach combines elements from a variety of psychological traditions to progressively address ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth. MRT focuses on seven basic treatment issues: confrontation of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors; assessment of current relationships; reinforcement of positive behavior and habits; positive identity formation; enhancement of self-concept; decrease in hedonism (pleasure vs. pain) and development of frustration tolerance; and development of higher stages of moral reasoning (Gaseau). MRT meets most state requirements for batterer treatment programs and is approved by most states for use with batterer programs. MRT is a SAMHSA NREPP evidence-based program.