Pattern Changing Programmes - Working with survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Pattern Changing is an educational and therapeutic programme that is delivered in the form of workshops for groups of people who have been affected by domestic abuse. Marilyn Shear Goodman and Mary Creager Fallon developed the Pattern Changing Programme.

The programme is designed to enable survivors to move out of the cycle of abuse by identifying the dynamics of abuse, exploring their own personal experience and by learning practical strategies for real empowerment. In this way, each individual can make personal choices to make positive changes in life.

There are a set number of sessions in the programme and a set number of places on each programme.

Bridge Associates offer a full and robust assessment service and work closely with referrers to ensure appropriate support. We also provide a comprehensive evaluation of outcomes report.

Why offer the course?

The Pattern Changing Programme is designed to:

• Support participants in making new positive life choices
• Support participants to move out of the cycle of abuse
• Improve confidence
• Raise self esteem
• Empower
• Have a positive impact on mental and physical health
• Offer a safe space to meet with others who had been through a similar experience
• Teach the Bill of Rights; how to recognize abuse; bill of rights; boundaries and assertiveness techniques.
• Help participants in accessing support networks
• Support participants to learn how to recognize abuse; assertiveness; and setting boundaries.

Participants on the Pattern Changing Programme also learn about healthy relationships including their relationships with their children. The course covers parenting issues such as setting and maintaining boundaries.

Pattern Changing Programmes are a way of giving a survivor who has experienced domestic abuse, an opportunity to focus on herself and her own power to make changes in her life. Therefore whilst a survivor will need to have a commitment to explore past patterns, the programme will provide her with the safe space in which she can learn about the issues of abuse and the practical skills with which she may change these past patterns.