Spotlight on Phil Altes, Our Batterer's Intervention Program Director

Phil Altes is the Batterer’s Intervention Program Director at Parents Assistance Center. He manages 10 Batterer’s Intervention groups and the course work. He also measures the changes members of the program make and oversees entrances and discharges.

Phil began work at Parents Assistance as a teacher in the Compassion Workshop. He had a friend who worked at PAC and his counseling experienced allowed him to work there. As he became more involved, he became a group leader for the Batterer’s Intervention Program. Finally, he became director of the program itself.

Batterer’s Intervention groups are more than just anger management, Phil says. Domestic violence is a learned behavior, and abuse is often a way for an abuser to take control if he or she feels powerless. The program helps members understand their behavior and helps them move past making excuses and minimizing violence. Ultimately, they learn to take responsibility for their actions and gain a new belief system that helps them lead a better life.