Addressing Domestic Violence Systemically
Description
Domestic violence (DV) is complicated and multi-determined, and its prevalence in society is unlikely to be reduced by simplistic solutions. There are many psychological, social, political, economic, and educational factors affecting the phenomenon – it occurs in a systemic context. Nearly all Continuing Education programs for psychologists on DV are purely clinical, focusing on how to work with individuals, couples, families, or groups of victims or perpetrators of DV. However, if one wants to reduce the incidence of DV, a systemic view and intervention is needed.
This session will be a highly interactive program using a workshop format. We will provide an introduction and overview of Future Search, a proven, evidence-based whole-system intervention developed in the 1980s by Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff. Future Search is based on four principles: getting the whole system in the room, understanding the whole system before planning actions, focusing on the future and on discovering common ground, and self-management and responsibility for action.
Using the Future Search model, participants will apply these principles to DV. We will brainstorm which stakeholder groups would need to be included to “get the whole system in the room,” and experience the process of planning a Future Search. In addition, we will use role-playing to go through parts of a Future Search as a way to both learn about the Future Search method, as well as to deeply understand the systemic underpinnings of DV and ways to address it at a systemic level.
Future Search is widely applicable to many social problems. In addition, the insights gleaned from this workshop will help clinicians better understand the systemic context that affects their domestic violence cases.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to identify stakeholders in the domestic violence system
- Participants will be able to identify systemic factors contributing to domestic violence
- Participants will be able to identify the four principals of Future Search
- Participants will be able to identify the conditions for success of Future Search.
- Participants will be able to list the categories of stakeholders in a Future Search Conference: people with people with authority, resources, expertise, information and need.
- Participants will be able to list the five parts of a Future Search conference.
Agenda
- 15 min Introduction
- 30 min Lecturette on Future Search
- 15 min Q and A
- 20 min Discussion of systemic factors affecting Domestic Violence (DV)
- 20 min Small groups to brainstorm stakeholder groups of DV
- 10 min Small groups report out
- 10 min Combine lists of stakeholder groups to reach one common list
- 15 min Break
- 15 min Participants to choose roles to take up in role-play
- 15 min Stakeholder groups meet to discuss their roles
- 30 min Mind-map of current trends (role-play)
- 10 min Vote-a-dot for stakeholder groups to indicate their priorities
- 20 min Debrief and process the role-play experience
- 20 min Q and A
- 10 min Summary and closing
Instructor Bio
Jeffrey Axelbank, Psy.D. is a psychologist in Highland Park, NJ. He consults to private and public organizations and communities, specializing in whole-system interventions. His work includes strategic planning involving multiple stakeholders; conflict resolution; transition management; leadership team-building; organizational turnover, burnout and morale; and succession planning. Examples of previous consultations include Ob/Gyn department, architecture firm, civil engineering firm, small city early education community, school for autistic children, mayor and council of municipality, pharmaceutical plant, community music organization, and a school district business office.
Dr. Axelbank has been recognized for his advocacy work in professional affairs. He was named 2011 Psychologist of the Year by the NJ Psychological Association for his work fighting insurance company abuses. In 2013 he was awarded the Peterson Prize by the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology for “outstanding contributions to professional psychology.”
Jeff’s other interests and activities include being an avid skier and cyclist, and performing in a rock cover band. He is married and has two grown children.
Dr. Axelbank has no conflicts of interest for this workshop.
Contact Us
For questions, please contact: ce@gsapp.rutgers.edu
Continuing Education Information
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0123.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8145. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.