Power and Control Is More Than "Anger Management"

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One of the most common misconceptions about Power and Control programming is that it is simply an “anger management class.”

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In reality, Power and Control is not just about anger.

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Power and Control programming focuses on patterns of behavior, accountability, emotional regulation, decision-making, relationship dynamics, and the use of control, intimidation, manipulation, threats, or violence within relationships.

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Anger may be part of the concern, but the program is designed to address more than anger alone.

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The goal is to help participants understand their behavior, take responsibility for their choices, recognize unhealthy relationship patterns, and learn nonviolent, respectful ways to respond to conflict.

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Who May Be Required to Complete Power and Control Programming?

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Individuals may be referred to Power and Control programming by:

• The court

• Probation or parole

• An attorney

• Child and Family Services

• A treatment provider

• Another referring agency

• A self-referral

 

This program may be recommended when there are concerns related to:

• Anger

• Domestic violence

• Relationship conflict

• Controlling behavior

• Intimidation or threats

• Aggressive communication

• Physical violence

• Emotional abuse

• Poor impulse control

• Court or probation requirements

 

Every individual begins with an assessment.

 

The Power and Control Process

 

Power and Control programming follows a structured process:

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Step 1 – Schedule Your Assessment

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Your assessment is completed during a confidential appointment. The purpose of the assessment is to review your history, current circumstances, referral concerns, and treatment needs.

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Step 2 – Complete the Assessment

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The assessment may review:

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• Reason for referral

• Court or probation requirements

• Relationship history

• History of anger or violence

• Use of power and control behaviors

• Substance use history

• Mental health history

• Medical history

• Legal history

• Family and social history

• Risk factors

• Current safety concerns

• Readiness to participate in services

 

The assessment helps determine whether Power and Control programming is appropriate and what services are recommended.

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The purpose of the assessment is to determine the individual’s need for counseling, treatment, referrals, psychoeducational groups, and any additional services that may be clinically or legally required.

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Montana law also requires that an investigative criminal justice report be sent to the offender intervention program to assist the counseling provider in completing a proper assessment. This report helps the provider better understand the circumstances of the offense, the level of risk, and the individual’s need for intervention.

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Confidential victim information, including information related to the victim’s location or information unrelated to the charged offense, must be removed before the report is sent.

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Following the assessment, the offender is required to complete the recommendations made by the counseling provider. These recommendations may include:

• Power and Control programming

• Psychoeducational groups

• Individual counseling

• Chemical dependency treatment, if indicated

• Additional referrals or services

 

For Partner or Family Member Assault convictions, Montana law requires a minimum of 40 hours of counseling or psychoeducational programming directed toward the offender’s violent or controlling behavior.

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At Oxytocin, this requirement is met through 20 Power and Control groups, with each group lasting 2 hours.

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Step 3 – Complete Orientation

 

After the assessment, participants complete orientation before beginning group.

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Orientation reviews:

• Program expectations

• Attendance requirements

• Group rules

• Confidentiality and its limits

• Payment expectations

• Participant responsibilities

• Behavioral expectations

• Completion requirements

• Court or referral communication, when applicable

 

Step 4 – Attend Power and Control Groups

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Participants complete 20 groups. Each group is 2 hours long. The full group requirement equals 40 hours of programming. Attendance and participation are required for successful completion.

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Step 5 – Complete the Post Appointment

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After completing all required groups, participants attend a post appointment.

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The post appointment reviews:

• Participation

• Progress made during the program

• Remaining concerns

• Skills learned

• Accountability

• Completion status

• Any additional recommendations

 

Program Curriculum

 

Power and Control programming is gender-responsive and uses different curriculum models based on participant need.

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Men’s Curriculum: Duluth Model

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The men’s program uses the Duluth Model framework. The Duluth Model focuses on helping participants understand how abusive or controlling behavior can be used to gain power over another person. The curriculum addresses patterns such as intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, minimizing, denying, blaming, using children, economic abuse, coercion, threats, and other controlling behaviors. The goal is to help participants move away from power and control and toward accountability, nonviolence, respect, equality, and healthier relationship choices.

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Women’s Curriculum: Turning Points

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The women’s program uses the Turning Points curriculum. Turning Points is designed for women who have used violence or force in intimate relationships. The curriculum helps participants examine the relationship between violence they may have experienced and violence they may have used. The goal is to help participants increase safety, understand their behavior, take responsibility for their choices, reduce violence, and develop healthier ways to respond to conflict and relationship stress.

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What Participants Learn

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Power and Control programming helps participants learn about:

• Accountability

• Nonviolent communication

• Healthy boundaries

• Respectful relationships

• Emotional regulation

• Conflict resolution

• Power and control behaviors

• The impact of intimidation and threats

• The difference between anger and abuse

• Personal responsibility

• Safety planning

• Empathy and impact on others

• Decision-making

• Changing long-standing behavior patterns

• Building healthier responses to stress and conflict

 

The program is not designed to excuse behavior, blame others, or focus only on what happened during one incident.The focus is on identifying patterns, accepting responsibility, and making meaningful behavioral changes.

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Attendance Requirements

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Participants are expected to attend all scheduled groups and appointments. Because this is a structured program, missed groups may delay completion. Participants are responsible for communicating with the office if they are unable to attend. If the program is court-ordered or required by a referring agency, nonattendance, lack of participation, or failure to complete may be reported to the referring party.

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Program Fees

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• Power and Control Assessment: $400

• Orientation: $100

• Power and Control Groups: $50 per group

• 20 Groups at $50 per group: $1,000

• Post Appointment: $100

• Total Program Cost: $1,600

 

Payment is due as services are rendered.

 

This means:

• The assessment fee is due when the assessment is scheduled.

• The orientation fee is due at orientation.

• The group fee is due at each group attended.

• The post appointment fee is due at the post appointment.

 

Why Are Fees Paid Out of Pocket?

 

Power and Control programming is often required because of a court order, probation requirement, attorney recommendation, or referral related to legal or behavioral concerns. When services are required for legal, court, probation, or accountability purposes, they may not qualify as a covered medical benefit through insurance. Payment is the responsibility of the participant unless another payment arrangement has been approved in advance.

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What Happens During Group?

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Groups are structured, educational, and accountability-focused.

 

Participants should expect to:

• Discuss assigned topics

• Complete group exercises

• Identify personal behavior patterns

• Practice new skills

• Participate respectfully

• Accept feedback

• Reflect on the impact of their behavior

• Develop safer and healthier responses

 

Attendance alone does not guarantee completion. Successful completion requires participation, accountability, and completion of all required appointments and groups.

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Completion Requirements

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To successfully complete Power and Control programming, participants must:

• Complete the assessment

• Complete orientation

• Attend all 20 required groups

• Participate appropriately

• Pay required fees as services are rendered

• Complete the post appointment

• Meet program expectations

• Demonstrate understanding of program concepts

 

If the participant was referred by the court, probation, an attorney, or another agency, completion documentation may be provided according to the referral requirements and any signed releases of information.

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Schedule Your Power and Control Assessment

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Completing your assessment is the first step toward beginning Power and Control programming.

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Phone: (406) 314-6565

 

Office:
1203 US Highway 2 West, Entrance D
Kalispell, MT 59901

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Our staff will guide you through each step of the process, including scheduling your assessment, completing orientation, attending groups, and finishing your post appointment.

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Our goal is to make the process clear, structured, respectful, and focused on accountability, safety, and meaningful behavior change.

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