(1) Each treatment program certified for any level of treatment must adhere to the following standards regarding group treatment:

(a) Participants must attend group sessions on a weekly basis;

(b) The group sessions must be single gender;

(c) Participants must be given the choice to attend the group they feel most comfortable in when gender identity is a factor;

(d) The group size is limited to a maximum of twelve participants, and a minimum of two participants;

(e) On a short-term basis the program may accept a participant into their domestic violence intervention treatment program even if the program lacks sufficient participants to constitute a group;

(f) Group sessions with four to twelve participants in attendance must be at least ninety minutes in length;

(g) Group sessions with three or fewer participants in attendance must be at least sixty minutes in length;

(h) Group sessions must be closed to all persons other than participants, group facilitators, and others specifically invited by the group facilitators including, but are not limited to:

(i) Professionals in related fields;

(ii) A research scholar or state of Washington evaluator;

(iii) Advocates from victim service agencies;

(iv) Persons offering interpretation services for the deaf and/or hearing impaired or language translation or interpretation; and

(v) Interns, trainees, or others who bring specific information applicable to the group; and

(i) Any person attending the group as specified under this section must sign a confidentiality agreement of which the program must keep a record.

PDFWAC 388-60B-0315

Group treatment—What standards must programs follow regarding the provision of group treatment?