"Barbara"
Barbara, a 37-year-old woman, and her husband, Joel, called requesting marital counseling. Barbara was very quiet in the initial interview, but violence was not raised as a concern. One of our workers, however, witnessed Joel screaming at Barbara in the parking lot after their session. The worker called Barbara, who reported a long history of abuse. Barbara was referred to our Overcoming Powerlessness groups and Joel to Anger Management group. Joel dropped out of Anger Management and became increasingly abusive. We then helped Joan file for separation and get a protection order. Barbara is now divorced and is in our ongoing women’s support group. Her two children attend our Children’s Art Activity Program, where it was identified that her daughter, Cathy, was very depressed. Cathy is now receiving counseling from our child specialist.