What Is Domestic Violence Counseling?
What Is Domestic Violence Counseling?
Domestic counseling for violence is a kind of therapy which can be beneficial for those who have suffered domestic abuse. Domestic violence is defined as intimate partner violence, which includes sexual violence, physical stalking, violence in addition to emotional or psychological harm that is perpetrated by ex- and current spouses or partners.
Domestic violence can also be a result of violence from others in the household such as siblings, parents family members, roommates, or relatives. 1
As per the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence More than 10 million individuals are abused physically by their intimate partner each throughout the United States and national helplines typically receive more than 20000 calls every hour. 2
Domestic counseling for violence can be provided by agencies that have an expertise in this area and are also known as domestic violence services providers (DVSPs) or independent counselors specially trained in this area according to Tami Sullivan PhD head of Family Violence Research and Programs at the Yale School of Medicine.
For additional mental health information, visit the National Helpline Database.
Types of Domestic Violence Counseling
These are just a few kinds of therapy that counseling for domestic violence could involve, as per the doctor. Sullivan:
- Personal counseling is a method to with the specific needs of a person. Individuals are able to talk with their counselors in-person about their personal experiences and feelings and collaborate together to set goals for their counseling. This approach is a way of acknowledging that not all victims of abuse experience it in the same way. It also recognizes that the effect of abuse varies among people and the needs of each person to get through the trauma also differs dramatically.
- Support group focused on sharing experiences between participants and help individuals recognize that they’re not alone. The results of being part of support groups can be significant particularly since so many sufferers keep their abuse hidden and eventually feel lonely and isolated. The sense of shared understanding and of commonality in a group can boost wellbeing in ways that, for certain people, can’t be achieved through individual counseling.
- Integrative treatments like meditation, yoga, and the practice of mindfulness.
- The creative arts are therapies which involve artistic methods of expression, such as visual art, music dance, drama writing, poetry, as well as playing. 3
- Couples therapy, that was once considered not recommended due to the fact that there could be a risk to the survivors However, there are some situations where it could be a good and safe therapy to consider. 4 It requires a separate safety evaluation with the person who is suffering prior to starting.
- Helping people overcome PTSD by empowering (HOPE), which is a type of therapy that seeks to help survivors who suffer from PTSD. 5
- Strengths and Empowerment (RISE), which is a type of therapy that is being designed specifically for those who have suffered intimate violence from their partner. 6
Domestic Violence Counseling Services
As per Dr. Sullivan, domestic violence service providers could provide kinds of services which include:
- Counseling for depression, emotional trauma or anxiety, PTSD self-harm, and other mental health demands
- Legal assistance to survivors, for example in the event that their partner was arrested
- Financial management courses that aid people develop the skills needed to achieve financial freedom from the addictions
- Training and support for job search
- Programs designed for children who might have witnessed domestic violence
They can come in a variety of shapes and cater to a wide range of demands, says Dr. Sullivan.
Who May Need Domestic Violence Counseling?
This kind of counseling can be beneficial to those who are being victimized by abuse and also those who had been victims of violence in the past According to the doctor. Sullivan.
Stereotypes of Domestic Abuse Survivors
The general perception of victims of domestic violence to be women who’ve suffered physically abused. Doctor. Sullivan says it’s important to recognize that the majority of survivors are men or all suffer physical violence. “It is hugely problematic to put this stereotype out there as if this is the only way domestic violence is experienced and this is the only type of person who can benefit from services.”
For example for instance, for instance. Sullivan explains that some people have never suffered physical violence, yet worry about their safety on a every day basis due to the psychological assault they experience.
On contrary she states that there are people who aren’t really scared of their abuser, but are affected by the impact of the abuse on their self-esteem and daily functioning.
Benefits of Domestic Violence Counseling
Domestic counseling for violence can be beneficial to those who have suffered the following kinds of violence: 7
- Physical violence This involves physical injury through actions like slapping, punching, hitting pinching, pulling hair punching, beating and burning, biting and various other kinds in physical assault.
- Sexual assault is the act of compulsion anyone to engage in the intimate act such as rape sexual touch, sexually explicit texting, or any other sexual activities without their consent.
- Abuse of the psychological kind This is communication via verbal and non-verbal communication meant to control someone, or cause mental as well as emotional trauma.
- Stalking It is defined by a string of unintentional calls or unwanted attention that may cause a person to be concerned for their safety as well as the security of a loved one. It also encompasses cyberstalking which is a type of stalking that is conducted via the phone or via the internet.
Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Counseling
According to a review for 2020, psychotherapy can help reduce anxiety and depression among those who have been victims of intimate violence from their partner. 8
The review covered the following kinds of therapy:
- Therapy for Behavioral therapy
- Psycho-behavioral therapy
- Engagement and acceptance therapy
- psychodynamic therapy
- Therapy that is humanistic therapy
- Therapy that is integrative therapy
- Therapy that is systemic therapy
- Therapy therapy
- music therapy
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
A 2020 study showed that HOPE therapy as well as a variant that is current-focused therapy (PCT) modified to incorporate safety plans proved effective in treating patients who are suffering from post-traumatic disorders because of violent relationships with intimate partners. 5
A pilot study of 2021 size of 15 participants showed that RISE might also be a promising method of therapy for those who’ve been victims of violence from their intimate partners in the last calendar year. 6