Pattern Changing for Abused Women: An Educational Program

Designed for facilitators of groups for physically, emotionally and sexually abused women, this volume examines a programme that focuses on the woman herself and her power to change the course of her life. The book is based on the accumulated experience of the authors and their continuing evaluation of groups they have facilitated over the past eight years. Both material for clients and easy-to-follow scripts for group leaders are included.

Educational rather than therapeutic, the programme includes sessions on family roles, boundaries, feelings and assertiveness skills. It is designed to enable abused women to: understand the problem and reality of abuse for the entire family; set realistic goals; become aware of lifelong

Timely and practical, Pattern Changing for Abused Women is a manual designed for those who are currently facilitating or would like to start a group for abused and formerly abused women. The book is based on the accumulated experience of the authors and groups they have facilitated over the past eight years. Along with the material for clients, group leaders are provided with easy-to-follow scripts for each session. The program focuses on the woman herself, and her own power to change the course of her life. Its goal is for women to begin to understand the problem of abuse and its realities for the entire family, to become aware of their lifelong patterns, to set realistic goals, and to learn techniques for developing new patterns of their own choosing. Sessions are not intended to function as group therapy and clients who are not already in counseling are frequently referred for psychological help. Intended for group leaders of educational groups for battered women, social workers and counseling psychologists will also find the book valuable in dealing with this population.