UPCCOMING WORKSHOPS
CHOOSE HIM WISELY: RESEARCH-BASED GUIDELINES TO HELP WOMEN STAY CLEAR OF DANGEROUS RELATIONSHIPS
Based on the new book, “CHOOSE HIM WISELY: How To Identify A Safe Partner,” (by David B. Wexler, Ph.D. and Don Meichenbaum, Ph.D.)
Friday, December 12, 2025
12:00 pm (noon) – 2:00 pm PACIFIC TIME
Live Virtual Event (Zoom)
Presented by David B. Wexler, Ph.D. and special guest and Don Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
2.0 CE Hours
Fees:
Early Bird by December 1
$40 No CE’s
$60 includes 2.0 CE’s
After December 1
$50 No CE’s
$70 includes 2.0 CE’s
PROGRAM:
So many talented and smart women often miss the signs of a dangerous partner. It can happen to anyone. And not only women, but men and people in same-sex or non-binary relationships as well. This presentation, based on the new book “CHOOSE HIM WISELY: How To Identify A Safe Partner,” highlights why it is critical for all of us to make smart and safe decisions in making the crucial life decision of choosing a partner and the warning signs of abusive and controlling partners: love-bombing, jealousy, blaming the partner, ”too much, too soon”, etc.
What can women learn from the story of Gabby Petito and so many other women? What questions and tools did these women miss when choosing a partner? And—most importantly—what are the many factors that lead so many women to ignore, minimize, or rationalize the red flags?
Join internationally-recognized author David B. Wexler, Ph.D. in this 2.0 hour virtual CE event to learn about all of these issues and more.
The information here can save lives.
If you attend this workshop, you will learn how to…
1. Identify the “red flags” that often predict future controlling, abusive, and/or aggressive behavior in a partner
2. Recognize historical factors that often predict future controlling, abusive, and/or aggressive behavior in a partner
3. Utilize the input from friends and family when they notice alarm signals about possible future abusive behavior—and when these should NOT be considered reliable
4. Help women identify the complex needs and factors that often lead to denial, minimization, or rationalization of these “red flags”
Target Audience:
This workshop is designed for mental health providers, school counselors, and victim advocates (although non-professionals are welcome to attend)
Paperback available NOW at RTIprojects.org
E-book available NOW at Amazon.com (and other online booksellers)
Co-Sponsored by RTI
“IS IT ANGER OR ABUSE?: The Key to Successful Intervention for Offenders and Victims
Presented by Alyce LaViolette, M.S., M.F.T.
2.0 CE Hours
Friday, February 20, 2026
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (PST)
Live Virtual Event (Zoom)
Register today
Fees:
Early Bird by February 4
$40 No CE’s
$60 includes 2.0 CE’s
After February 4
$50 No CE’s
$70 includes 2.0 CE’s
Based on her decades of experience as a pioneer in the field of Intimate Partner Violence, Ms. LaViolette will present her ground-breaking model for the Continuum of Anger and Abuse. This course will explore the differences between patterns of abuse and isolated acts of aggression–and how these key distinctions impact interventions for both offenders and victims. It will focus on differentiating the multiple styles of anger, managing conflict and anger, and dealing with coercive controlling and abusive behavior. This workshop will also examine the controversial issue of when couples counseling is or is not appropriate and train providers to use the intake to build rapport and to make decisions about appropriate interventions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify 4 key distinctions between anger and abuse
Recognize 2 styles of anger and how these affect couples
Teach at least 3 essential techniques for managing anger
Identify the 6 categories of the Continuum of Anger and Abuse
Alyce LaViolette is a pioneer in working with both victims and perpetrators of abuse in relationships with intimate partner violence. She has co-authored one of Sage Publication’s best-selling books “It Could Happen to Anyone: Why Battered Women Stay”, co-authored a parenting curriculum for the California courts called “For Our Children” and published many articles. She has appeared on local, national and international radio and television, and she speaks nationally and internationally. She has served on the U.S. Department of State speaker’s bureau. She is in private practice and specializes in working with intimate partner violence, anger, high-conflict couples, and adults who have experienced childhood as well as adult trauma. She has served as an expert witness in family, criminal, civil and federal court since 1984.
ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL:
Informed Interventions for Offenders and
Victims of Intimate Partner Abuse
San Diego District Attorney's Office
Presented by: David B. Wexler, Ph.D., Executive Director, Relationship Training Institute
Friday, April 3, 2026 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
One Safe Place North (San Marcos)
1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92069
or
Friday, April 24, 2026 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
One Safe Place South (National City)
401 Mile of Cars Way, Suite 100B, National City, CA 91950
For more information, contact…
Monique Rootsaert
Monique.Rootsaert@sdcda.org
619.458.5336
PROGRAM: This in person one day hands-on training model has been acclaimed internationally for outstanding integration of contemporary theory, research, and practice in the complex and quickly-changing world of intimate partner abuse intervention.
This workshop will bring counselors and advocates up to date on the latest research about the multiple types of both offenders and victims (including different offender motivations, bidirectional abuse, female abuse, reactive violence, same-sex relationship abuse, and more)—and how this knowledge can enrich the work we all do. Participants will learn specific interventions as well as skills in dealing with resistant and difficult clients--from a nationally recognized expert in the field of relationship violence. Participants should be prepared to hear new and controversial perspectives on these complex issues. In addition, they will learn valuable new information regarding countertransference, personal reactions, solution-focused therapy, attachment theory, Motivational Interviewing, and self-disclosure strategies when working with both offenders and victims.
FACULTY
David B. Wexler, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Relationship Training Institute, which has provided group treatment services for more than 70,000 military and civilian DV offenders. Dr. Wexler has offered extensive training seminars on The STOP Program model throughout the world. He is the author of eight books, including STOP Domestic Violence–Fourth Edition and The STOP Program-For Women Who Abuse, is co-author of Choose Him Wisely: How To Identify A Safe Parter, and has written many articles and book chapters about relationships in conflict. Dr. Wexler has received the Distinguished Contribution to Psychology award from the California Psychological Association.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
STOP PROGRAM CERTIFICATION PLUS 17.0 CE’S (additional fee)
Live Virtual Event (Zoom)
Presented by David B. Wexler, Ph.D.
17.0 CE Hours
Register today
Thursday, March 12, 2026: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PST)
Friday, March 13, 2026: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PST)
Thursday, March 19, 2026: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PST)
Friday, March 20, 2026: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (PST)
Fees:
Early bird Ends February 27, 2026
$475 Workshop only
$645 Workshop + 17.0 CEs
Regular Price after February 27, 2026
$550 Workshop only
$720 Workshop + 17.0 CEs
This live Webinar training by Dr. David Wexler, Ph.D., featuring the STOP Program treatment model, has been acclaimed internationally for outstanding integration of contemporary theory, research, and practice in the complex and quickly-changing world of Domestic Violence (DV) intervention. This 3.5 day workshop provides a complete overview of the field of domestic violence, with specific training in group treatment and intervention.
Participants will learn about theories that shape the field, screening and risk assessment of offenders and victims, and about political controversies. Interweaving the latest research, clinical anecdotes, and popular videos, Dr. Wexler will outline The STOP Program, a group treatment program that integrates contemporary treatment interventions with education about the politics of abuse and comprehensive skills training. Issues in individual and couples’ treatment of domestic violence will also be addressed. Participants will learn specific interventions as well as skills in dealing with resistant and difficult clients--from a nationally recognized expert in the field of relationship violence. Participants should be prepared to hear new and controversial perspectives on these complex issues. In addition, they will learn valuable new information regarding counter-transference, personal reactions, solution-focused therapy, attachment theory, Motivational Interviewing, and issues of self-disclosure when working with this population.
TOPICS:
Definitions & Typologies: One Size Does Not Fit All
Risk Assessment
Understanding Male Psychology & Engaging Defensive Men
When Women Treat Men
Accountability & Disinhibitors
The STOP Program-4th Edition: Highlights of Group Interventions
Updates On Victims’ Issues
Controversies In The Field
Using Your Self
When The Offender Is Female: Myths & Realities
When The Offender Is Female: Interventions
And many more.
Stop Program Recommended Video list
To contract with RTI to bring the "Partners Who Abuse: Understanding & Treating Domestic Violence in the 21st Century (aka “The STOP Program”) to your organization or region, please contact Tami Magaro at rtiworkshops@gmail.com.
All Workshop Professional CE Hours:
The Relationship Training Institute is approved to offer Professional CE credits by the following organizations:
Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professional
National Board for Certified Counselors
American Psychological Association (accepted for LCSW’s, MFT’s, and other mental health providers in almost all states
RTI is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. Relationship Training Institute maintains responsibility for the program and its content.
Relationship Training Institute is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.
Email us at rtiworkshops@gmail.com for more information on how we can help your event by providing the CE credits.