| This study identified and discussed the specific changes that were made to California state certified domestic violence treatment programs in Alameda and Contra Costa counties as a result of California state legislation that was passed in 1996. The legislation altered the mental health services provided to persons convicted of domestic battery and required agencies to include several new treatment components in their therapy approach. It was hypothesized that this new law brought about significant modification in mental health treatment for batterers as well as inciting reactions and opinions from psychology professionals.;Data were collected through a nine page survey sent to the treatment program directors asking questions pertaining to: demographics, the existence of the legislated treatment components pre-1996 as well as their perceived importance within the therapy process, treatment modalities pre and post-1996, reactions to the 1996 legislation, professional relationships with Child Protective Services, probation, courts and police, confidentiality and its required breaches, and personal reasons for working with clients who have been abusive.;It was found that both the number of domestic violence treatment programs the number of clients increased after the 1996 legislation. Changes in the delivery of services occurred as a result of the mandated treatment components. Professional relationships with other state agencies were ranked mostly satisfactory but communication was noted as one area in need of improvement. Lastly, respondents cited their experience of witnessing change within the abusive client and his relationships as the primary reason for continuing to work with a challenging therapeutic population.;It was determined that the 1996 legislation did have a direct effect on the way in which mental health services are delivered to batterers. Generally, therapy providers were in agreement with most aspects of the 1996 legislation. Programs in existence pre-1996 did change some areas of their therapeutic services to become compliant with the law, thus direct change within service delivery did take place as a result of this legislation. |
