For those who’ve experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse

Our Domestic Abuse Program is designed to treat the whole family – from batterer to spouse/partner to the children involved in their lives.  It’s the only program of its kind in Anoka County. 

We use professionally trained therapists to facilitate the men’s, women’s, children’s and adolescent groups.     

The Lee Carlson Center domestic abuse program is designed to help all family members heal and move beyond the violence.

For Men

The 20-week men’s program is designed to increase understanding of abusive behaviors, develop effective anger management and emotional self-regulation skills.  Each weekly session is for 2 ½ hours, with group discussion based on content from nationally recognized domestic abuse curriculum.

A key activity is for each participant to develop a ‘self-control plan.’  In developing this plan, men learn to identify what triggers their anger and learn to divert their anger triggers to non-abusive behaviors.  Men also learn to develop non-abusive communication skills.

An essential focus of the group process is to encourage male participants to develop and use these non-abusive strategies to avoid violent behavior in their lives, and most importantly in their families. 

All sessions are conducted at the Anoka County Human Service Building in Blaine.  To learn more about the Lee Carlson Center’s men’s domestic abuse program, contact Dr. Joe Wotruba at 763-783-4991 or our main office at 763-783-4914.

For Women

The women’s program provides group therapy for female victims/survivors of domestic abuse.

Each session explores a specific topic related to abuse.  Topics include the dynamics of abusive relationships, communication, anger management, grief and loss, boundaries, family of origin, self-esteem, and healthy versus unhealthy relationships.  Each participant creates a protection plan.

During each session participants also have the opportunity to talk about current issues and obtain feedback from fellow members, if desired.  Once a group has started, it is closed to additional members.  Therefore, the members are able to build trusting relationships and the groups are very supportive in nature.

The program is 16 weeks, and each session is 2 ½ hours.  Groups are available on Monday evenings from 6-8:30 pm or Tuesday mornings from 10 am-12:30 pm.  Free childcare is provided.

Intake sessions are required.  To learn more or to schedule an intake, contact Sara Bidler, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, at 763-783-4914 or our main number at 763-783-4914.

Restorative Parenting Program

This program is available to all men and women who complete the primary part of the Domestic Abuse program.

Conducted in 12 sessions, it’s designed to promote stronger parental-child bonds through teaching improved parenting skills.  There is a special focus on the impact of family violence on children.

As with all the domestic abuse programs at the Lee Carlson Center, the mothers and fathers programs meet on separate nights for safety reasons.

For the Women’s Restorative Parenting Program, contact Sara Bidler, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, at 763-783-4914 or our main number at 763-783-4914.

For the Men’s Restorative Parenting Program, contact Brian Putz, Licensed Practitioner at 763-427-2590.

Or you can contact our main office number at 763-783-4914.

For Adolescents

Group sessions for youth 10-18 are offered throughout the year.  These sessions focus on:

• Repairing the trust and familial bonds broken or damaged by domestic abuse

• Assisting youth in developing skills to help them better manage anger & unpleasant emotions.  The goal is to regulate feelings without behaving in reactive, destructive ways.

• Improving sense of self-esteem

In some cases individual therapy may be available.

To learn more, contact Melissa Kinney, Licensed Professional Counselor at 763-783-4914. 

Play Therapy and Kids Power Groups for Younger Children

Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems. 

Our play therapy program is designed for kids under the age of 6 who have witnessed domestic violence. With limited abilities to communicate using words, during play children are able to express emotions like anger, fear, happiness, shame and frustrations. 

Play therapy helps professionals and parents better understand a child’s needs and find ways to reestablish a balance in the child’s sense of well-being.

Our “Kids Power Groups” are for ages 5-9 who have been exposed to domestic violence.  Children participate in an 8 week group experience where they are encouraged to begin to navigate through their feelings and thoughts.  Often many of the primary emotional experiences addressed are anger, frustration, fear, and sadness.  These groups assist children in understanding the dynamics of abuse from a child’s perspective.

To learn more contact Amanda Harrington, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at 763-780-3036 or contact our main number at 763-783-4914.

Women’s Anger Management Group

The women’s anger management group is an extension of the domestic abuse program. 

The goal of the program is to help women focus on identifying their anger management style, to better understand the dynamics of anger and how it impacts their lives and the lives of those around them. The process also teaches women how to express their needs in ways that are assertive without being aggressive.

Participants learn self-regulation of anger by understanding how to manage stress in their relationships and how to develop better communication skills. 
Women also learn the warning signs of an abusive relationship and how to develop skills for setting appropriate boundaries with others. 

Developing these strategies in their lives also help them in other areas, such as parenting and relating to people at work.

The program is 14 weeks, and each session is 2 hours.  Groups meet on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Intake sessions are required.  To learn more or to schedule an intake, contact Pat Johnson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, at 763-783-4945 or our main number at 763-783-4914.

Most insurance plans are accepted for all the domestic abuse programs listed above. If you are a resident of Anoka County without insurance, a sliding scale fee payment plan is availible.