Domestic Violence

Don’t let the term “domestic violence” fool you. Sometimes called “domestic abuse,” it doesn’t always mean physical violence. It could be name-calling; telling your partner she’s worthless or a bad mother. It could be controlling behavior; finding ways to keep your partner from doing what she wants to do by taking her car keys, or tracking her communications by checking her cell phone or Facebook. It could be economical; not allowing your partner to have access to finances or a job. It could be through intimidation; yelling or slamming doors. Or, it could be isolating; keeping your partner from family and friends. And, yes, it can mean physical violence as well; holding her down, pushing, or hitting.

If this sounds a little too familiar, you’re not alone. You’re like thousands of other men who have struggled with abuse and/or control in their intimate relationships. Like some, you may exhibit some abusive behavior periodically. Or, like others, you may have found yourself stuck in an abusive pattern. You know what you’re doing isn’t working, but you don’t know what else to do. In fact, you’ve probably asked yourself the same questions: How did it get this bad? Why do I get so angry? Why do I say and do those things? How do I stop acting this way?

The Men’s Resource Center provides domestic violence counseling that can help you answer those tricky questions and put you on the road to more love, respect, intimacy, and satisfaction in your domestic relationships. And, we offer domestic violence support groups in Grand Rapids and Holland, as well as counseling by phone.

If you’re the one being abused, the Men’s Resource Center is here for you as well. Although some men experience domestic violence in silence, believing that a real man will just deal with it and not burden others, you don’t have to be alone. The Men’s Resource Center also provides services for victims of domestic violence.

Contact the Men’s Resource Center for our fee schedule and more information.

Domestic Violence Counseling

At the Men’s Resource Center, we understand that men struggle with issues of domestic violence at various levels of scope and severity; it isn’t a “one size fits all.” That’s why we carefully assess each person’s situation and tailor our counseling to his particular needs related to the degree of abusive and controlling behavior he exhibits.

If you’re wrestling with issues of anger and abuse, take the “What Kind of Abusive Man Am I?” assessment test. It will help you understand your own personality style and possible triggers for your behavior. Or, just contact the Men’s Resource Center for more information about the programs listed below.

  • Anger Management Support Group

    Men who have difficulty controlling their anger and whose rage has resulted in family problems, job difficulties, violence and legal problems can benefit from this group.

  • Phone Counseling

    Save time, energy, and travel. Phone counseling and Skype sessions can be done from the privacy of your home or office.

  • Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

    Equipping individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools to work more effectively in the challenging and complex field of domestic violence.

  • Men Who Abuse Women

    Examine the standard models of batterer intervention work and explore how to better design and deliver treatment for men who abuse women.

  • Loving Relationships

    We often enter relationships with excitement and hope, only to find ourselves living with a sense of perpetual longing for something more or harboring feelings of disillusionment, abandonment, and hostility. What goes wrong? Here, we explore ourselves, and our relationships.