40-Hour Domestic Violence Counselor Training & Certification

Overview

The 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training covers 5 workshop days through videos. Each day of the workshop has videos that last for about 8 hours and you will have some time devoted to writing a summary of what you learned watching the videos as well as completing a quiz and evaluation for each day.

The goal of this workshop is to provide the fundamental training of the DV standards, operational techniques, and best practices used in the treatment of domestic violence offenders. The State of California currently requires that Batterer Intervention Programs be certified and monitored, as well as adhere to specific guidelines and procedures. This workshop will examine how various programs are integrated into a community-wide partnership of agencies and programs to treat Domestic Violence in our community. Upon completion of this training, a person with the prerequisite education would be qualified to run the court-mandated 52-week, DVRP groups for domestic violence offenders.

This workshop will include lectures, presentations, participant experiences, questions, and answer periods. Workshop participants will have gained the basic skills needed to work within a Batterer Intervention Program and the DV community. Participants will successfully complete the mandated initial 40-hour basic training as required in 1203.098 of the California Penal Code.

Click HERE for Rhombus Policies and Procedures.

Click HERE to review the original schedule of the video training.

Topics Required by Law

• 8 hours of Domestic Violence Knowledge
• 8 hours Domestic Violence Group Content
• 8 hours of Culture and Domestic Violence
• 4 hours of Law & Ethics with Domestic Violence
• 4 hours of Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
• 4 hours of Intake & Assessment
• 4 hours of Group Facilitation

Topics Covered

Specific Learning Objectives

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• List two historical events that impact how we view domestic violence.
• Describe a brief overview of how we define and view domestic violence.
• Distinguish among the types of domestic violence, including, physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, social, financial, spiritual, and animal abuse.
• Describe the three phases of the cycle of violence.
• Describe two techniques of motivational interviewing used in domestic violence groups.
• Describe four aspects of cognitive behavior therapy when used as an evidence-based treatment protocol for domestic violence offender groups.
• Describe two assessment practices for DV offender groups.
• Explain three important steps of the interview process.
• Identify two paperwork requirements performed during the intake.
• Identify two assessment questionnaires commonly used for DVRP intakes.
• Describe three DVRP intake procedures required by law.
• Explain two components of best practice for DVRP intakes.
• List four ways domestic violence impacts children.
• List four ways domestic violence impacts adults.
• Identify three parts of the brain impacted by domestic violence.
• List five common reasons victims of domestic violence stay in violent relationships.
• Identify three key aspects of focusing on victim safety.
• Explain the role of a community coordinated response to domestic violence.
• Identify five aspects of trauma-informed care.
• Explain the differences between the three stages of group therapy.
• Describe three key aspects of a temporary restraining order.
• Describe two situations when law enforcement response procedures include an arrest for domestic violence.
• Explain the difference between a defendant pleading not guilty/no contest and pleading NOT guilty.
• Explain the term “reasonable doubt” and its significance to conviction.
• List three common penal code charges related to domestic violence.
• Identify three types of domestic violence crimes according to 273.5 PC.
• List four benefits of utilizing the recovery-oriented approach for the purpose of treating domestic violence.
• Describe three characteristics of DV offender groups.
• Identify two ways that gender roles and socialization impact domestic violence.
• Describe the three elements of multigenerational abuse.
• Evaluate two key components of facilitating DVRP groups.
• Describe three reasons why self-care is important for DVRP counselors.
• Describe three techniques from solution-focused brief therapy for treating domestic violence.
• Describe three cultural factors that contribute to domestic violence.
• Discuss two patterns of domestic violence that are influenced by society.
• Identify two cultural barriers that negatively impact DVRP treatment.
• Choose two cultures and for each discuss societal factors that impact DVRP treatment.
• Describe three key elements to identify substance dependence.
• Explain three ways that substance abuse affects a person.
• Describe three ways that substance abuse contributes to domestic violence.
• Discuss two treatment options for individuals with addictions.
• Identify two essential elements of a Level II program for DV offenders with a substance abuse disorder.

Training Approvals

The course meets the qualifications for hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences | Rhombus is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs. Rhombus maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Details for full CE information can be found at www.gorhombus.com. The training listed here is approved by the Facilitators Committee of the San Diego DV Council and meets education requirements by law under 1203.098 of the California Penal Code.

Visit www.gorhombus.com for more information on our CE approvals through CAMFT and the APA.

Awarding of CE Credits

Participants who successfully watch the 40 hours of video training, successfully complete all summaries of learning, complete each quiz and evaluation, and demonstrate proof of identification will receive a Certificate of CE Credit at the conclusion of the training.

Procedure for Filing a Grievance

It is the intention of Rhombus to maintain a professional, educational and amicable relationship with those whom we serve. In the event that we slip from these standards, we wish to take corrective action promptly. To that end, should you have a concern, please email us at [email protected] or click HERE. We will respond as quickly as possible as appropriate to the situation.

To Request Accommodation for Disability

Please call 858-848-1766 or email [email protected] to request accommodations you may need for this training. Every effort will be made, within what is reasonable, to accommodate various disabilities or unique situations that call for adjustment. If we are unable to accommodate a particular need, Rhombus will look for alternative trainings and refer the customer to other options.

Cancellation Refund Policy

As a general policy, there are no refunds allowed for registrants’ canceling. Registrants may email a request for consideration for cancellation in the event of unusual circumstances, however, there is no guarantee of refund (at least a minimum cancellation fee would be applied). If an event is canceled by Rhombus, a full refund will be issued within 7 days of cancellation.

Proof of Identification

Before a certificate of completion is received, proof of identification is required and can be accomplished through a zoom livestream with a Rhombus staff, or an alternative method approved by a Rhombus staff. Call or email with more questions, [email protected] or 858-848-1766.

Accreditation

Rhombus is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Rhombus maintains responsibility for this course and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 40 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

FAQs

1. What education do I need before I take this training?
Anyone is welcome to take this training, but to facilitate domestic violence offender groups in most states, a person would need a Bachelor’s degree. Each state may also have additional requirements.

2. What can I use this certification for?
The most common reason a person completes the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training is to meet educational requirements for facilitating court-mandated 52-week DV offender groups, also known as the Batterer’s Intervention Program. Some people take this training to have a broad understanding of the complexity of domestic violence in our society or to improve their ability to help both offenders and victims of domestic violence.

3. Will this training be accepted in my state?
This training meets qualifications in California and was approved by the Facilitator’s Committee of the San Diego DV Council. Due to the rigorous requirements of California and specifically, San Diego, it is highly likely our training will meet and exceed the qualifications of most states. Email us if you would like to verify more.

4. Can I use this training to be a DV Victim Advocate?
This training was specifically developed for those facilitating court-mandated DV offender groups. There is a separate, but similar, training for those working with DV Victims. Due to the similarity of topics covered, it is possible this training would be approved and you could email information to verify further.

5. Do I have to do all 40 hours at one time?
No, you can go at your own pace and take as long as you want to complete the full 40 hours of videos.

6. How do I know Rhombus is a real company before I pay for the training?