Intimate Partner Violence: Supporting Safety and Recovery

Note: This first two hours of this course contains identical content as the Intimate Partner Violence Course. This course has additional content related to supporting clients once they leave an abusive relationship and identifying stages of recovery.

Addressing domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) remains difficult, despite the trend toward normalization of mental health and therapy in popular culture. Mental health clinicians often feel stuck when their clients continue to struggle with the aftermath of abuse weeks, months, and even years after the relationship(s) have ended. This beginner level course provides clinicians with an overview of the features and characteristics of IPV, explores reasons clients remain in abusive relationships, and discusses how clinicians can assist clients navigate safety planning and recovery.

The first section of this course provides an overview of intimate partner violence, including statistics and a history of domestic and intimate partner violence laws in the United States. The next section provides clinicians with an understanding of the nuances of IPV relationships and how they can provide support. It also delves into the ways in which clients excuse abusive behavior, the many barriers to leaving abusive relationships, and the roles of mental health professionals in reducing these barriers. Particular attention is given to barriers within specific populations, including immigrants, clients of color, men, and LGBTQI+ clients. The third section addresses the ways in which clinicians can guide their clients through safety planning and recovery. Detailed, practical steps are described for assisting with immediate safety, preparations for leaving the relationship, and remaining safe after ending the relationship. Nonlinear stages of recovery are presented as clients move from feelings of self-doubt, self-blame, and confusion toward healing, accepting, and making meaning of their trauma. A case example is weaved throughout the sections of the course.