Intimate Partner Violence: Treatment, Safety Assessment & Best Practices

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious problem that affects millions of people each year. IPV can include physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and/or financial abuse. It is important to provide treatment for women who have experienced IPV, as well as screen for IPV survivors in mental health settings. If you or someone you love is experiencing intimate partner violence, it may be time for domestic violence therapy for the best help. Let’s dive in.

Screening for IPV Survivors

It can be difficult to identify IPV survivors, as they may be reluctant to talk about their experiences. There are a few questions that you can ask to help identify whether someone has experienced IPV:

– Has a partner ever threatened or hurt you physically?

– Has a partner ever made you feel scared or controlled?

– Do you have any injuries that were caused by a partner?

– Does your partner ever try to control your money or make financial decisions for you?

– Has a partner ever forced you to do something sexual that you did not want to do?

– Has a partner ever verbally abused or threatened you?

If someone answers yes to any of these questions, they may be experiencing IPV.

Treatment for Women Experiencing IPV

There are a few different types of treatment that can be helpful for women who have experienced IPV. These include:

– Individual therapy: This can help women work through the emotions they are feeling and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

– Group therapy: This can provide support and allow women to share their experiences with others who understand what they are going through.

– Crisis counseling: This can help women in the immediate aftermath of an abusive situation.

– Legal advocacy: This can provide support and resources to help women navigate the legal system.

Do a Full Safety Assessment

One of the best things you can do if you are worried about domestic violence is to do a full safety assessment. This means looking at all the potential risks and dangers in your situation, and if you are a therapist, ensure that risks have been reduced or eliminated in the short term to allow for effective treatment.

Best Practices for Domestic Violence Therapy

There are a few things that you should keep in mind if you are seeking domestic violence therapy:

– Make sure that your therapist is trained in domestic violence.

– Find a therapist who you feel comfortable with and who you can trust.

– Be prepared to talk about difficult topics, such as abuse.

– Be honest with your therapist about what is going on in your life.

Begin Your Domestic Violence Therapy Journey Today with ACT Teletherapy

There’s no need to feel alone when domestic violence therapy is just a click away with ACT Teletherapy. Our team of domestic violence counselors are here to help you heal from the trauma of abuse and move forward into a healthy, happy life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.