TAKING CHARGE: STAN WOODY, MS, LMHC An Interview by Leo Perales

Stan Woody Mr. Woody received his Master of Science Degree in Applied Psychology in 1994 from Eastern Washington University. Since attaining his degree, he has practiced as a Mental Health and relationship counselor and works out of his own office in Richland, Wa.

Services Mr. Woody’s office offers many services and they include: Domestic violence counseling Major Depression ADHD Couples and Family Counseling Anger Management Men’s Groups Individual Sessions

Typical Day He noted that he is semi retired and majority of his day consists of handling domestic violence cases which are all court ordered. Deals with individuals who have “chips on their shoulders” His program he cites is a Psycho-educational program and he helps the individual figure out the “I” in responsibility which is Wood’s motto.

Likes vs.. Dislikes of the Job Woody was once a farmer and then decided to put the shovel down and do what he loved: helping individuals He relishes the fact that he can open doors of possibilities and present the tool’s to develop skills to figure out how to work out their problems and seek the “I” in their own responsibility. He “helps” them, and teaches them the skills and has them put them to practice. Dislikes Woody proclaimed that he adamantly loves his job and the only thing he dislikes is the pay! (We laughed at this) The other attribute he disliked was organizations and how domineering they were, such as the community of mental health and doctors. Also the courts. He dislikes how they try to be surrogates parents for family’s as they tear families apart, it’s a tragedy he exclaimed.

Changes? When I asked Mr. Woody what he would change about his job, he noted the pay again laughingly. But on a serious note, he said he would have liked to have done something else perhaps, but he’s content with the job he has and what he gets to do. Helping individuals is extremely gratifying.

Causes of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and or elder abuse? Roots: Mr. Woody contends that child abuse, domestic violence and etc. extends from family roots and habits from past generations. He believes that these generations have not been given the tools to alleviate stress and anger and use violence to battle with the emotions. This adds to the fact of lack of prevention for this type of behavior. Woody also claims that religion plays a huge role as it is pro-abuse. Many religions believe in corporal punishment which he believes is the tip of the ice berg of domestic violence. It’s an epidemic Woody noted.

Essential Elements of Intervention Woody believes the contemporary methods of intervention are unfair and unjust. There is no compassion for the victims and perpetrators. The courts and other state agencies abuse their power and help destroy families. His counseling and own methods of help rather provide a pathway to recovery and redemption.

Essential Elements of Prevention To Woody, education is the key to not necessarily solving the epidemic of domestic violence, abuse, neglect and etc. but decreasing the rates. He also says that this alternative may be cost effective and hard to measure but this is how he approaches this problem and he’s seeing amazing results. Offenders lack the communication/social skills and practice of these skills. They need motivation to act, “How to do…” and thus they can see the “I” in their responsibility as a human to act accordingly.

What Woody thinks future social workers should know… Woody states that future social workers and counselors should know the inside and outs of all the major mental disorders such as anger, emotional intelligence, depression, fear, communication, bi-polar, and so forth. Information is key and many individuals display a combination of various disorders. ‘ He notes that such information should all be taught in high school where with time, one’s mind can expand and become more knowledgeable on these problems and one can have practices for individuals and all persons can be helped. Also, all students should always be learning! They should feel like a kid in a candy store, and if you stop learning, your dying! Woody noted that he learns something new every day.

Interesting Fact Woody relayed much information with me during our one hour and a half interview. One interesting fact that he told me about domestic violence or family violence in general is how men get the short end of the stick, but this doesn’t mention the real fact that our own society condones a misogynist belief that it’s okay for men to hurt woman but also how men are always the perpetrator.

His View of Family Violence Woody does believe entirely that our culture aids to the ever increasing epidemic of family violence. Religion, family dynamics, community standards and mass media all play a vital role in the on going of family violence. The Duluth Model which is explained in our book, Woody claims is biased and aids to the fact that men are always the perpetrators, but woman have a role in domestic and family violence.

Conclusion I chose to do my interview with a police officer at first but changed because that would have been too cliché. This was a far better experience and the facts and information learned were very valuable to me. His motto of “I” in responsibility made me think a lot about my own life and how I am the one who shapes and can change it and it’s I who posses the tools to a better way of life if I change myself, this in turn can change the world and people around me, and this is why Stan Woody put his pitch fork down some thirty years ago and is doing what he loves: helping persons help them selves and their relationships.