Intimate Spousal and Partner Violence

This course is also offered as part of a Pre-licensing Savings Package.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue in the United States, affecting millions of people each year across all ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. At some point in their careers, most mental health professionals will evaluate and/or treat a client with a history of IPV. Therefore, it is essential that they are equipped to identify the signs and symptoms of IPV, conduct accurate assessments, and develop and implement treatment plans that address the impact of trauma and chronic stress, and assist clients with safety plans and resources for immediate and long-term safety. All the while, mental health professionals must provide compassionate care and abide by ethical guidelines and legal requirements.

This intermediate course addresses intimate partner violence, specifically the nature and scope of the problem, its causes, prevention, assessment, treatment, and pertinent ethical and legal issues. The course materials consist of reports from national intimate partner violence agencies; three audio interviews with transcripts; a review of assessment measures from the Centers for Disease Control; and written materials related to prevention, assessment, treatment, safety planning, and ethical and legal issues.

The course is divided into five sections. Section One presents an overview of the nature and scope of the problem of IPV, along with statistics on the incidence, causes, effects, and unmet needs of survivors. It also includes information on IPV in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender couples. Section Two provides perspectives on the history of IPV over the past several decades. Section Three describes policies and practices related to the prevention of IPV across the lifespan. Section Four discusses assessment and treatment, specifically how to address barriers to independence before and after leaving abuse, provide safety planning and support, and assist clients through stages of recovery. Finally, Section Five reviews the ethical and legal requirements surrounding IPV, with a particular emphasis on California law.