Assessment goals focus on the determination of the client's dangerousness and motivation for change, family and victim needs, and the counseling plan. During the initial session with the client, focus is on his relationship with the criminal justice system and the contributions of his violent behavior to that relationship. The client's previous counseling experience, expectations, and perceived benefits of counseling also are elicited. In addition, the confidentiality policy is explained to the client. Factors to be considered in the assessment of dangerousness include the frequency and severity of violent incidents, offender's threats to kill, victim's suicide threats, offender drug or alcohol use, and forced or threatened sexual acts by the male. A violence inventory and a psychosocial violence assessment form are used in conjunction with the offender's descriptions of four battering incidents. In addition, clients are administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and are given a differential diagnosis and a physical assessment. The client's adherence to the counseling regimen, attitudes toward the violence and the treatment, and willingness to discuss problems can help measure motivation to change. Information on the victim's former relationships, including in the family of origin, is useful in determining needs for additional counseling and victim services. A multidimensional treatment plan is recommended. 48 references.