Partner Assault Response (PAR)

At Better Life Counselling Center, our Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program provides specialized, structured counselling for individuals charged with domestic or intimate partner violence, as well as those seeking voluntary support to change harmful relationship patterns. We serve clients across Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill, and the Greater Toronto Area, offering evidence-based interventions designed to increase accountability, reduce violence, and support healthier relationships.

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What Is the PAR Program?

The Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program is a court-mandated or voluntary counselling program that helps individuals understand the impact of their behaviours, develop non-violent communication skills, and build safer, more respectful ways of relating to partners and family members.

The program focuses on:

  • Accountability and responsibility for behaviour

  • Emotional regulation and impulse control

  • Healthy communication and conflict resolution

  • Understanding the impact of abuse on partners and children

  • Reducing risk of future violence

  • Building safe, respectful, and non-coercive relationship patterns

Our clinicians provide a non-judgmental, structured, and supportive environment that aligns with legal and probation requirements where applicable.

How the PAR Program Works

Our PAR program is structured, goal-oriented, and aligned with legal expectations. Sessions focus on education, skill-building, and behaviour change.

Key components include:

Accountability & Insight
Understanding the impact of one’s actions and taking responsibility without excuses or minimization.

Anger & Emotion Regulation Skills
Identifying triggers, reducing reactivity, and managing anger in healthy ways.

Healthy Communication & Boundaries
Learning assertiveness, respectful dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution.

Power & Control Awareness
Exploring harmful dynamics and shifting toward equality, respect, and safety.

Stress & Trigger Management
Developing coping tools to prevent escalation during conflict.

Safer Relationship Patterns
Building empathy, trust, and long-term behaviour change.

Who Can Benefit?

PAR programming can support individuals who:

  • Have been charged with domestic or intimate partner violence

  • Are required by the court or probation to attend PAR sessions

  • Struggle with anger, emotional reactivity, or controlling behaviours

  • Want to improve how they manage conflict in relationships

  • Have difficulty communicating without escalation

  • Want to change harmful or aggressive patterns

  • Need support navigating partner or family stress

  • Are voluntarily seeking to build healthier relationship skills

Whether mandated or voluntary, PAR counselling can be pivotal in creating long-term behavioural and relational change.

Request an Appointment

Please fill out the form, and our team will contact you. 
Appointments are available in person and online, or you can call us at 647-726-2999.

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