Group Rules
What does confidentiality mean in this group?
What’s shared in group stays in group, with legal limits related to safety, abuse, or court orders.
Domestic or intimate partner violence is best defined as what type of behavior?
A pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner or other loved one.
What is emotional intelligence (EQ)?
The ability to recognize, understand, manage, and respond to emotions in yourself and others.
What is the main purpose of using coping skills in this program?
To manage emotions and urges in ways that prevent harmful or abusive behavior.
True or False: Alcohol and other substances affect decision-making and judgment and increase the risk of abusive behavior.
True
Name one situation where confidentiality may legally be broken
If someone is a danger to themselves or others, reports child or elder abuse or neglect, or a court order requires disclosure.
True or False: Domestic violence only includes physical acts like hitting or pushing.
False — domestic violence can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, or controlling.
True or False: Emotional intelligence is something you’re either born with or you’re not.
False — EQ is shaped by experience and can be learned and strengthened through practice.
True or False: Coping skills are meant to get rid of emotions completely.
False — coping skills help manage emotions safely, not eliminate them.
What are the 4 attachment styles?
Secure, anxious, avoidant, & anxious-avoidant
True or False: You may attend group while driving or sitting in a public place as long as you’re muted.
False — group must be attended in a private, stationary space with full attention and privacy.
Which term best describes repeated abusive behavior over time rather than a single incident?
A pattern of abuse.
Why is building an emotions vocabulary important for EQ?
Because naming emotions accurately helps reduce reactivity and improves self-control and communication.
Why are breathing and grounding skills often used first during emotional escalation?
Because they calm the nervous system and help the body shift out of fight-or-flight.
Name one core feature of a healthy relationship.
Honesty and accountability, trust and support, consent, emotional safety, fairness, or non-threatening behavior.
What counts as disruptive behavior?
Talking over others, blaming your partner, ranting instead of reflecting, etc.
Name one example of non-physical abuse.
Emotional abuse, intimidation, coercive control, financial control, threats, isolation, or stalking.
What is empathy in the context of emotional intelligence?
The ability to understand and acknowledge another person’s emotional experience without minimizing, fixing, or controlling it.
Name one coping skill taught in this program that can be used in the moment.
Breathing, grounding, mindfulness, distress tolerance skills, R.A.I.N., or progressive muscle relaxation.
Why is accountability essential in a healthy relationship?
Because it builds trust by owning behavior, repairing harm, and taking responsibility for impact.
In this group, what does accountability actually mean?
Owning your behavior and its impact, being honest and open to feedback, and focusing on effort—not perfection.
Why is domestic violence considered a choice, not a loss of control?
Because abusive behavior is selective, goal-directed, and used to control another person, even when emotions are strong.
In relationships, how does higher EQ reduce conflict?
By helping a person regulate impulses, respond instead of react, communicate emotions clearly, and consider impact—not just intent.
How is a healthy coping skill different from avoidance or numbing?
Healthy coping reduces reactivity and increases choice, while avoidance or numbing delays or worsens problems.
Why are substances not an excuse for abusive behavior?
Because substances may lower inhibition, but abuse is still a choice and individuals are responsible for their actions.