How can clinicians effectively assess for coercive control and domestic violence in their practice?
Answer
As a clinician, assessing for coercive control and domestic violence may involve a nuanced approach that extends beyond formal assessments. Formal assessments may be useful if the goal is to determine the presence of abuse claims or assess the suitability for working with a particular client. However, it's essential to consider the limitations of formal assessments, particularly in cases where safety or truthfulness may be compromised. In such cases, clinicians can supplement formal assessments with targeted questions during intake or initial sessions, such as inquiring about decision-making dynamics, changes in relationships with friends and family, physical health changes, and confidence levels over time. Creating a safe and supportive environment for disclosure is crucial, as is respecting the client's autonomy throughout the therapeutic journey.
Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS, is the creator of Beyond Power and Control, Rising Beyond Power and Control, and The Rising Beyond Podcast. She runs a successful group private practice in Arvada, Colorado, specializing in working with victims and survivors of domestic violence and children and teens who have been affected by violence in the home. Sybil has 13+ years of experience in working with children and families and has a passion for working with victims and survivors of domestic violence and a passion for training other clinicians to work with this population.
Related Courses
1/social-work/ceus/course/assessing-and-safety-planning-with-1125Assessing and Safety Planning with Confidence: Working with Victims of Domestic ViolenceThis course provides the knowledge needed to correctly identify and assess the different levels of risk for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This course explores safety plan development and provides tools that can be used with victims and survivors to create effective safety plans.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Social Workwww.continued.com/social-workAssessing and Safety Planning with Confidence: Working with Victims of Domestic ViolenceThis course provides the knowledge needed to correctly identify and assess the different levels of risk for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This course explores safety plan development and provides tools that can be used with victims and survivors to create effective safety plans.1125OnlinePT60M
This course provides the knowledge needed to correctly identify and assess the different levels of risk for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This course explores safety plan development and provides tools that can be used with victims and survivors to create effective safety plans.
2/social-work/ceus/course/post-separation-abuse-supporting-survivors-1704Post-Separation Abuse: Supporting Survivors After Escaping Domestic Violence"Just leave, and you'll be safe." This widely held misconception that abuse ends after a victim leaves a domestic violence situation places these survivors and their families at risk. This webinar focuses on what you can do to support survivors of domestic violence, mitigate the abuse that continues after they have left the relationship, and heal in the aftermath.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Social Workwww.continued.com/social-workPost-Separation Abuse: Supporting Survivors After Escaping Domestic Violence"Just leave, and you'll be safe." This widely held misconception that abuse ends after a victim leaves a domestic violence situation places these survivors and their families at risk. This webinar focuses on what you can do to support survivors of domestic violence, mitigate the abuse that continues after they have left the relationship, and heal in the aftermath.1704OnlinePT61.9998M
"Just leave, and you'll be safe." This widely held misconception that abuse ends after a victim leaves a domestic violence situation places these survivors and their families at risk. This webinar focuses on what you can do to support survivors of domestic violence, mitigate the abuse that continues after they have left the relationship, and heal in the aftermath.
3/social-work/ceus/course/navigating-legal-system-supporting-victims-1186Navigating the Legal System: Supporting Victims and Survivors of Domestic ViolenceThis course focuses on navigating the legal system and provides the knowledge needed to understand the different court proceedings that survivors of domestic violence may experience. In addition, this course explores the best ways to support victims and survivors through the process.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Social Workwww.continued.com/social-workNavigating the Legal System: Supporting Victims and Survivors of Domestic ViolenceThis course focuses on navigating the legal system and provides the knowledge needed to understand the different court proceedings that survivors of domestic violence may experience. In addition, this course explores the best ways to support victims and survivors through the process.1186OnlinePT120M
'The presentation was very informative and the examples were great!'Read Reviews
AK/2.0; AL/2.0; AR/2.0; ASWB ACE/2.0 General; AZ/2.0; CA (CAADE)/2.0; CA (CADTP)/2.0; CA (CCAPP-EI)/2.0; CA/2.0; CE Broker/2.0 Domestic Violence, Counseling Theories, Counseling, CE Broker #20-845501; CE Hours/2.0; CO/2.0; CT (CCB)/2.0; CT/2.0; DC/2.0; DE/2.0; FL/2.0; GA (ADACBGA)/2.0; GA/2.0; HI/2.0; IA/2.0; IACET/0.2; ID/2.0; IL (ICB)/2.0 Counselor II, Preventionist II, CARS II, CODP I, CODP II, PCGC II, CCJP I, CCJP II, CRSS I, CRSS II, CPRS I, CPRS II, MAATP II, CFPP I, CFPP II, CVSS II; IL (MFT CE Sponsor)/2.0; IL/2.0; IN/2.0; KS/2.0; KY/2.0; LA/2.0; MA/2.0; MD/2.0; ME/2.0; MI (MCBAP)/2.0 Related; MI/2.0; MN/2.0; MO (MCB)/2.0; MO/2.0; MS/2.0; MT/2.0; NAADAC/2.0 Counseling Services, Discharge And Continuing Care; NBCC CE Hours/2.0; NC/2.0; ND/2.0; NE/2.0; NH/2.0; NJ/2.0; NM/2.0; NV/2.0; NY-Contact Hours/2.0 Self-Study; OH (OCDP)/2.0 PR1, TR1; OH/2.0; OK (LPC/LMFT)/2.0; OK (OBLADC)/2.0; OK/2.0; OR/2.0; PA/2.0; RI/2.0; SC/2.0; SD/2.0; TN/2.0; TX/2.0; UT/2.0; VA/2.0; VT/2.0; WA/2.0; WI/2.0; WV/2.0; WY/2.0
This course focuses on navigating the legal system and provides the knowledge needed to understand the different court proceedings that survivors of domestic violence may experience. In addition, this course explores the best ways to support victims and survivors through the process.
4/social-work/ceus/course/teen-dating-violence-strategies-for-1982Teen Dating Violence: Strategies for Therapeutic InterventionTeen dating violence is prevalent and presents unique challenges for clinicians. This course provides background information on teen dating violence and a framework to assess and intervene with teens experiencing violence within their dating relationships.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Social Workwww.continued.com/social-workTeen Dating Violence: Strategies for Therapeutic InterventionTeen dating violence is prevalent and presents unique challenges for clinicians. This course provides background information on teen dating violence and a framework to assess and intervene with teens experiencing violence within their dating relationships.1982OnlinePT61.9998M
Teen dating violence is prevalent and presents unique challenges for clinicians. This course provides background information on teen dating violence and a framework to assess and intervene with teens experiencing violence within their dating relationships.
5/social-work/ceus/course/healing-through-written-word-working-1535Healing Through the Written Word: Working with Survivors of Domestic ViolenceUnderstanding how to effectively work with survivors of domestic violence is an essential skill for any mental health practitioner. This webinar explores the impact written word and how it can be used to facilitate the healing process.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Social Workwww.continued.com/social-workHealing Through the Written Word: Working with Survivors of Domestic ViolenceUnderstanding how to effectively work with survivors of domestic violence is an essential skill for any mental health practitioner. This webinar explores the impact written word and how it can be used to facilitate the healing process.1535OnlinePT61.0002M
Understanding how to effectively work with survivors of domestic violence is an essential skill for any mental health practitioner. This webinar explores the impact written word and how it can be used to facilitate the healing process.