A Model for Short-Term Solution-Focused Group Treatment of Male Domestic Violence Offenders

ABSTRACT This paper describes a brief solution-focused group treatment model for treating “male domestic violence offenders” (MDVOs). Such an approach postulates that positive and long-lasting change can occur in a relatively brief period of time by using “solution-talk” instead of “problem talk.” Without minimizing nor denying the destructiveness of violent behaviors, a solution-focused approach aims at empowering group members so that they are responsible for solutions. The paper discusses the theoretical framework underlying such an approach and provides a stage by stage description of the group process, intervention goals and techniques specific to each stage of treatment.