Power And Control Wheel
Check if your patient is going through domestic abuse by helping them identify abusive behaviors with the power and control wheel.
Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
What is a Power And Control Wheel?
The Power and Control Wheel is a crucial tool in understanding and addressing issues related to domestic violence and abuse. Developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, this wheel serves as a comprehensive framework that delineates the various forms of power and control that may manifest in an abusive relationship. The wheel is divided into sections, each representing a specific aspect of abusive or controlling behavior.
At its core, the Power and Control Wheel recognizes that abuse is not solely physical; it encompasses a spectrum of behaviors that may be emotional, sexual, economic, or even rooted in the exertion of control. The outer ring of the wheel focuses explicitly on physical violence, sexual violence, coercion, and other forms of abuse, highlighting the various tactics used by abusers to maintain power over their victims.
The inner ring delves deeper into the subtler methods employed by abusive partners, such as emotional abuse, economic control, and coercive behaviors. These manipulative tactics may include name-calling, threats, intimidation, isolation, and isolating the victim from support systems. The wheel makes it evident that abuse extends beyond the immediate relationship, often reflecting larger societal oppression and ingrained structures of power and control.
Notably, the Power and Control Wheel emphasizes the shared responsibility in addressing abuse and highlights the need for support groups and intervention strategies. Recognizing that abuse takes many forms and can affect anyone, the control wheel is created and serves as a tool for individuals, professionals, and support networks to identify patterns, intervene, and provide assistance to survivors of domestic violence.
Printable Power And Control Wheel
Download this Power And Control Wheel to help clients identify abusive behaviors.
How does it work?
The power and control wheel is a guide, diagram, and educational resource. Our printable template of the power and control wheel serves the same purpose, with the added feature of a fillable version. This allows clients to document the behaviors they have experienced or witnessed.
If you'd like a copy of our take on a power and control wheel template, keep reading below for instructions on accessing, downloading, and using the template.
Access the template
You can access and download our printable power and control wheel template by either:
- Clicking the “Use Template” or “Download Template” button above
- Searching “Power and Control Wheel” in Carepatron's template library on our website or app
Explain the diagram
Though the worksheet is comprehensive enough, explain the diagram and go through it. Sometimes, the patient may digest the content better if one reads it out loud, making the patient feel more comfortable to further explanation if asked.
Complete the diagram (optional)
Should the client be willing, and if you deem it helpful, ask your patient to write down their experience on the fillable power and control wheel we provided. Assure them that if they can take as much time as they need and if they feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed at any point, they can stop immediately.
Proceed with the next steps
Suppose your patient is confirmed to be a domestic abuse victim or survivor. In that case, we leave it up to you how to proceed with helping them leave their current relationship or process their previous experience.
We recommend storing completed diagrams in a secure physical location or a HIPAA-compliant EHR like Carepatron to be accessed only by relevant parties.
Power And Control Wheels example (sample)
We created a Power and Control Wheel PDF template example completed by a fictional client who's a domestic abuse victim. We provided this example so you can give your clients an idea of how to complete the worksheet.
Feel free to download our example for educational purposes or use it as an offline reference by viewing our sample below or clicking the “Download Example PDF” button above.
Download this Power And Control Wheel Example:
When would you use this form?
The Power and Control Wheel is a valuable resource employed when there is a need to analyze, understand, and address issues related to power dynamics and control within relationships. This tool is frequently used in the context of domestic violence and abusive relationships, helping professionals, therapists, counselors, and support groups to navigate the complex dynamics involved. Here are instances when the Power and Control Wheel proves particularly useful:
Therapeutic settings: Therapists and counselors often use the Power and Control Wheel during individual or group therapy sessions with survivors of domestic violence. It serves as a visual aid to help clients recognize and articulate the various forms of abuse they may be experiencing, fostering self-awareness and empowerment.
Educational programs: The Power and Control Wheel is valuable in workshops, seminars, and training sessions on prevention and awareness of domestic violence. It provides a structured framework for discussing the multifaceted nature of abuse, helping participants understand the different tactics used by abusers.
Support groups: Support groups for survivors of domestic violence frequently utilize the Power and Control Wheel to facilitate discussions and promote mutual understanding among participants. The visual representation of abusive behaviors helps domestic violence survivors validate their experiences and provides a foundation for building a supportive community.
Intervention and advocacy: Professionals working in domestic violence intervention and advocacy utilize the Power and Control Wheel to assess and plan interventions. It aids in developing strategies to break the cycle of abuse and helps advocates tailor their support to the unique needs of survivors.
Legal settings: The Power and Control Wheel may be used in legal settings, such as courtrooms or mediation sessions, to help judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals comprehend the nuances of abusive relationships. This understanding can inform legal decisions, protective orders, and custody arrangements.
Community awareness campaigns: Community organizations and activists use the Power and Control Wheel in awareness campaigns to educate the public about the signs of domestic physical and sexual violence. By illustrating the various forms of abuse, the wheel contributes to breaking the silence surrounding these issues and encourages individuals to seek help.
Prevention programs: Schools, community centers, and youth organizations can incorporate the Power and Control Wheel into prevention programs to educate children and young people about healthy relationships. By understanding the warning signs and dynamics of abuse early on, individuals may be better equipped to recognize and avoid abusive situations.
Benefits
Early detection
A medical practitioner can use the free power and control wheels as a resource to detect if a patient is a victim or a pattern of abuse. They can discreetly ask their patient if someone around them is doing any of the abusive actions next to them or behaving similarly to the ones in the wheel.
Early awareness
Patients experiencing domestic violence, through the power and control wheel, will be made aware of their situation and, hopefully, take the following steps towards reaching out for help.
Encourage transparency
This power and control wheel can be used during domestic violence counseling sessions. Should the client be comfortable sharing, one can use the power and control wheel as a jumping-off point to sharing.
Provide insight into your patient
During these sessions, using the power and control wheel, women can provide insight into the extent of the domestic violence they experienced. This, in turn, can help you formulate a treatment plan to help them.
Why use Carepatron as your Power And Control Wheels app?
Selecting Carepatron as your Power and Control Wheels app is a strategic choice that empowers professionals to efficiently manage and navigate the complexities of power dynamics within relationships. Carepatron's practice management software is uniquely positioned to serve as the perfect tool for individuals and organizations seeking to streamline their approach to understanding, addressing, and intervening in situations and controlling situations. The cloud-based platform provides a tailored solution with features specifically designed to assist in efficiently managing the nuances of power dynamics. From intuitive appointment scheduling to the meticulous documentation of client interactions, Carepatron offers a comprehensive suite of tools that align with the intricate aspects of Power and Control Wheels.
Ease of use is paramount, and Carepatron delivers with an intuitive user interface. Say goodbye to lengthy learning curves and complicated tutorials. Carepatron allows users to become adept at utilizing the app quickly, ensuring that professionals can focus on fostering healthier relationships and addressing power imbalances.
Security is a top priority in the real control dynamics, and Carepatron meets this demand with secure, encrypted data storage. Your client information remains confidential and protected, ensuring a safe space for professionals to engage with sensitive data related to power dynamics within relationships.
References
Scott, H. S. (2018). Extending the Duluth Model to Workplace Bullying: A Modification and Adaptation of the Workplace Power-Control Wheel. Workplace Health & Safety. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079917750934
Commonly asked questions
Therapists, counselors, support groups, legal professionals, educators, and community activists use the Power and Control Wheels to understand and address power dynamics, economic abuse, and control issues within relationships.
The Power and Control Wheels are used in various contexts, including therapy sessions, educational programs, focus groups, support groups, legal settings, community awareness campaigns, and prevention programs, to analyze, educate, and intervene in situations involving domestic violence and abusive relationships.
The Power and Control Wheels are visual aids in discussions, interventions, and educational settings to identify, understand, and address different forms of abuse within relationships. They serve as comprehensive frameworks, facilitating conversations about power dynamics, control tactics, and strategies for intervention and prevention.
