P E A C E - Positive Education for Anger Control and Expression

Community Health Services' PEACE Program assists individuals in living violence-free lifestyles. Individuals that have been charged with assault* threatening,* disorderly conduct,* endangerment,* or criminal damage* can learn more effective problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Many of these crimes represent personal or social adjustment problems that can be meaningfully addressed by offering the rehabilitative and habilitative gains of diversion and sentencing alternative programs.* Including ARSs § 13-1202.A1, 13-2904, 13-1201.A, 13-1203, 13-2916.A, et.al.

The Community Health Services' bi-lingual, bi-cultural anger management model for treatment incorporates many theories and approaches to psychotherapy, yet focuses on the primary issue of anger management. The treatment therapy is based on a cognitive-behavioral, psychoeducational treatment Best Practices model. The flexibility of the PEACE program allows the Community Health Services' professional staff of trained therapists to fit the materials to the needs of the participants, needs determined by completion of an extensive psychological/sociological history, psychological test, and questionnaires.

The PEACE Program is based on the premise that anger is an emotion that can be a useful tool for growth in our lives. Anger is a normal, natural emotion that alerts the mind and body that something is occurring within one's self based on internal or external stimuli. Emotionally mature individuals express their anger in appropriate and constructive ways.

The program includes lectures, individual sharing and exercises, and group experiential exercises based on current literature and research of experts in the fields of anger management, violence, and abusive behavior. The groups are designed to be educational as well as therapeutic. The primary focus is on anger management and how it affects behavior. The program is designed to help the participants take responsibility for positive change in their lives by better understanding their own perceptions, attitudes, and behavior.

Anger Management (PEACE) Treatment Components
Personal Responsibility / Values / Self-image	Anger Management Skills
Stress Management Skills	Conflict Resolution & Problem-Solving
Communication Improvement	Goal-Setting Techniques
Alternatives to Violence	Commitment to Behavioral Change
Denial and Cognitive Distortions	Impacts of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Self-Defeating Behaviors	Arizona Statutes and Criminal Codes

Offenders tend to possess intense feelings of shame and guilt that result in anger, rage, and lashing out at others. Judgment, criticizing, public ridicule/humiliation, and incarceration only add to the existing shame and guilt further exacerbating dysfunctional behavior. By teaching appropriate anger and stress release techniques, participants increase self-esteem, self-confidence, self-awareness, and reduce their perceived unhealthy shame and guilt.

The PEACE Program consists of a minimum of twelve (12) weeks of group sessions and a one (1) hour personal initial assessment. Group counseling sessions are held once a week for two (2) hours each session.