Counselor helps batterers change ways

WHO: Dean C. Anthony, a licensed master social worker, who works with Family Counseling Service, meeting with individuals who have battered family members and their families. October is "Domestic Violence Awareness Month."

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

"I was a platoon leader in Vietnam for the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969. I was in the Army for three years, from 1966 to 1969. My dad was a career officer, and I grew up all over the world. I was following in my dad's footsteps, but Vietnam interrupted that. He had a civil service job at Fort Drum in 1968, and I've been here since then. I've traveled a bit, but I come back here. I live in Sackets Harbor now."

How did you get involved in your career field?

"I graduated from Syracuse University in 2006, and I've been here since. I started down this path late in life. I began to do this work because I'm a Vietnam veteran. My primary interest is trauma, and it fits well with domestic violence. Many of the batterers themselves have a traumatic past. There's a nice fit right there."

What makes you want to continue this line of work?

"The important thing is to do meaningful work. When I get up, I don't say, 'Oh darn, I've got to go to work today.' It's very rewarding to work with people. It's also rewarding to see men who understand a mutual relationship is in their benefit and act on those changes."

What had you done prior to joining Family Counseling Service?

"I started building solar houses in 1973. We, in the last two years, have had more interest in them."

Mr. Anthony occasionally is a presenter during workshops hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

What kind of work do you do for Family Counseling Service?

"I see individuals, families and groups. I do a lot of family counseling. I'm also the co-facilitator for the CHOICES program. There's one male and one female who do that because we demonstrate appropriate social relationships between men and women, more peaceful and equal partnerships."

How does someone become involved in the CHOICES group?

"We believe that batterers learn to behave the way they do. This isn't something that comes out of people's biology; it comes out of their culture. A group of six, seven or eight is an ideal size. What we really like to have is people who mature in the program give perspective to new people coming into the program. We get a lot of men who think that we're supposed to be powerful and in control. We're pointing out to people that if you're in control, that limits you to have a close, intimate relationship."

When do you work at Family Counseling Service?

"I'm here Monday to Wednesday for ten hours a day, and on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for CHOICES. I'm here whenever I'm scheduled, and I spend five hours a week in the Gouverneur office doing individual counseling."

How long do you plan on doing this line of work?

"One of the reasons I've pursued this is it can be something I can do in my senior years. I'm 62 now. I'm new to it, so I'm not burned out. It's still exciting. I'll continue with it for a long time."

What do you want people to know about domestic violence?

"Change is possible. If people are struggling with their behavior, they can do something about it. We also can learn from one another. If someone is wondering about the CHOICES program, we should discuss it in the privacy of my office. They're less likely to re-offend if people enroll in the program in a timely fashion. This is a step short of incarceration I'd encourage them to enter."

(Family Counseling Services can be reached by calling 782-4483.)

If you have an idea for a Times Q&A, contact staff writer Rebecca Madden at rmadden@wdt.net