Battering and Couples Therapy: Universal Screening and Selection of Treatment Modality

Abstract

As family therapists begin to experiment with couples treatment models for batterers and their partners, a basic question is: Which couples can be safely treated with conjoint therapy? Following a definition of battering and a review of rationales for considering couples therapy in cases of domestic violence, a framework for assessment of domestic violence is outlined, including sample questions, criteria for excluding couples from conjoint therapy, how to conduct a lethality assessment, and how to conceptualize postassessment treatment recommendations. This article also introduces family and couples therapists to domestic violence literature that is often not well integrated in family therapy theory and practice.

Addressing Intimate Partner Violence with Male Patients: A Review and Introduction of Pilot Guidelines

“…[114][115][116] Holding such a controlling and manipulative perpetrator accountable for his behavior can be challenging. There are published guidelines on working with couples experiencing IPV in both medical and mental health practices ( 108,113,117 ). The attached guidelines suggest ways to mitigate potential risks to patients when both members of a couple are cared for in the same practice.…”

Working systemically with family violence: risk, responsibility and collaboration

“…Much of the therapeutic writing in this field has originated in the USA (Bograd and Mederos, 1999;Goldner, 1998) and in Australia (James, 1996;Jenkins, 1990). We try to work therapeutically in line with the recommendations of the outcome research on interventions with men who physically abuse their female partners (Dobash et al, 1999;Dunford, 2000).…”

“…We look out for our well-being in our consultation with each other, our consultation with similar projects, our consultation with colleagues with specific expertise, in keeping abreast with the literature on the signs of secondary traumatization in therapists, and in balancing our various activities, both personal and professional. Although Bograd and Mederos (1999) have written recently about the effects on therapists of doing this work in terms of transference and countertransference reactions, alongside a consideration of how therapists can seek to ensure their physical safety, we find little in the systemic literature on this topic.…”

“…For example, we would not work therapeutically with a couple where the woman is afraid to meet or be in the room with her male partner. Bograd and Mederos (1999) suggest that a woman's willingness to discuss her partner's violence in his presence is an important indicator of whether a conjoint treatment approach is possible.…”

Counselors' Attributions of Blame Toward Female Survivors of Battering

“…This intervention has been contraindicated for couples where violence is present (Bograd & Mederos, 1999;Simpson, Doss, Wheeler, & Christiansen, 2007). …”