Groups, Classes & Programs

Anger Management Group discusses a variety of subjects aimed at improving an individual's skills in conflict resolution and emotion regulation. Often times, individuals have difficulty recognizing the emotions behind their anger. Additionally, an individual's anger communication style is often the result of social conditioning. Many individuals adopt their anger coping styles from their families of origin and the environment they were raised in. For instance, some individuals are raised with the belief that it is best to mask one's emotion in an attempt to avoid conflict. Internalizing one's emotions often leads to "explosion," or rather, acting out in violence. Other individuals may believe that expressing anger through violence is normal and, in some instances, justified. A large portion of Anger Management Group is dedicated to recognizing that these are unhealthy coping skills and are replacing them with more successful anger coping strategies.
Limited histories of non-domestic inter-personal violence or property damage.
Conducted in-house with contracted provider (10 weeks; 1.5 hours per week). No cost to client.

Substance Abuse group focuses on the causes and consequences of substance use as well as ways for an individual to successfully recover from substance use. Group members are educated on a variety of treatment modalities that can help them be successful in their recovery. Additionally, group members are allotted an opportunity to discuss environmental, psychological, and familial components that have influenced their substance use. Individuals placed in Substance Abuse group are at a variety of stages in their use and/or recovery and members are encouraged to share circumstances and situations that affect their use and provide encouragement to other group members. The greatest goal of Substance Abuse group is to assist group members in creating strategies that will assist them in their recovery, including; recognizing their triggers for use, establishing empathy for individuals that have been negatively affected by their use, emotional regulation, and creation of a support group.
Moderate criminal and drug use history.
Conducted in-house with contracted provider (12 weeks; 1 hour per week). No cost to client.

Assist clients to change thinking patterns to be more pro-social.
The purpose of the Cog Group is to help the client understand the process of changing negative behavior which allows them to discover how attitudes can override values and to understand how to avoid negative influences. They develop a plan to alter present negative behavior, establish positive goal-directed behavior patterns; and make a firm commitment to never repeat as a criminal offender. This group gives the client the opportunity to look at their own behavior and discover the factors that caused them to engage in unlawful acts. New alternatives are presented to assist them with improvement. They are allowed to examine the consequences of their behavior and are informed that they hold the key to their success.
Low level risk; first time offender; Marijuana only (no addictions); prefer under age 30.
No pretrial clients.
Conducted in-house by trained supervision staff (6 weeks; 2 hours per week). No cost to client.

Assist clients to change thinking patterns to be more pro-social.
The purpose of the Cog Group is to help the client understand the process of changing negative behavior which allows them to discover how attitudes can override values and to understand how to avoid negative influences. They develop a plan to alter present negative behavior, establish positive goal-directed behavior patterns; and make a firm commitment to never repeat as a criminal offender. This group gives the client the opportunity to look at their own behavior and discover the factors that caused them to engage in unlawful acts. New alternatives are presented to assist them with improvement. They are allowed to examine the consequences of their behavior and are informed that they hold the key to their success.
Higher risk assessment score; unemployed; lengthy criminal record; current or past probation violation; new charges; criminally sophisticated.
No pretrial clients.
Conducted in-house by trained supervision staff (10 weeks: 2 hours per week). No cost to client.

Online and home study programs: National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP).
Helps identify thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that lead people to shoplift.
Helps participants acknowledge that their action was a choice that they made and that they could have made a different choice.
Helps participants develop a plan to stop shoplifting now and prevent it in the future.
Online format takes 3-4 hours to complete. Home study course takes 4 hours. Fee involved.
For more information: www.shopliftingprevention.org

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) offered through Prince William Cooperative Extension.
Six week discussion group (2 hours per week) for parents and others who want to learn more effective ways to communicate and discipline children. Fee involved.
For more information: http://www.pwcgov.org/parenting. To register, call 703-792-6288.

Certified by the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board.
Per the Virginia Standards for BIP's, "Batterer Intervention Programs are required to use groups as the primary source of intervention, the purpose of which is to educate batterers and change behavior. The goals of the intervention program shall be: the cessation of a batterers' coercive, dominating, violent and abusive behavior; and, the safety of the victims and their children."
Minimum duration of a BIP is 36 hours during a minimum of 18 weeks. Fee involved. For more information: www.vabipboard.org
Certified BIP's in Prince William County:
- ACTS Domestic Violence Services (703) 221-4460
- CHANGE IN ACTION (571) 379-0352
  Española (571) 364-4366
- COUNSELING AND FORENSIC SERVICES (703) 492-2994