Kicking Violence Out of the Relationship: A Couples Approach to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Dr. Jeff Crane, LMFT

Couple’s therapy can be hard enough, let alone when a therapist is trying to balance safety and change as part of the couple’s process. Treatment of intimate partner violence (IPV) in couples often leaves therapist thinking that they have to choose safety of the individuals over couples’ work. However, more and more research indicates that there are meaningful benefits to conjoint couples therapy for the treatment on IPV and safe ways to do so.  This presentation is designed to provide a brief intervention model for clinicians who wish to safely treat the violence out of a relationship. The presentation will include helpful insights into assessment of intimate partner violence, how to determine which kind of couples can safely engage in the conjoint treatment of IPV, and a brief intervention designed to “kick” violence out of the relationship.

General information:

Figuring out how to effectively and safely conduct intimate partner violence conjoint treatment can be really challenging. So much so, that few clinicians really take it on. Come and learn how this can be both a straightforward and brief process.

Goals:

Whether you know it or not, you are already treating intimate partner violence. IPV carries several societal and relational stigmas that often cause it to get put on the backburner when couples are reporting on their presenting problem. However, not being aware of violence can be costly in couples’ work. Violence undermines every aspect of the work that couples are trying to do. It erodes trust and destroys any sense of safety in relationships. Clinically, very few academic programs across the country actually provide a model and intervention specific training in IPV. Consequently, we have many standardized approaches to couples’ treatment in general but very few in terms of IPV. The combination of underreporting and deficits in training make the treatment of IPV for couples very tenuous and an area of great need. Most clinicians default to individual treatment or refer out when trying to treat IPV.  The overarching goal of this brief 3-hour workshop is to orient you to a couples’ treatment approach and give you some hope that you can safely treat couples with IPV. Specifically, this presentation is designed to 1) develop insights into assessment of intimate partner violence 2) help you learn how to determine which kind of couples can safely engage in the conjoint treatment of IPV and 3) provide a brief intervention model for clinicians who wish to safely treat the violence out of a relationship.

Schedule:

1:00pm Introductions

1:20pm Literature review

1:40pm Exploring current gaps in IPV treatment

2:00pm What current couples’ treatment should include

2:30pm Exploring a model and interventions for treatment

3:40pm Open Q&A

Technology information:

This will be a three-hour lecture via Zoom video conference. You will receive a password for the conference upon payment. We will take a short 5-minute break halfway through the presentation. Please attempt to clear all distractions, internal or external before the lecture begins. You may “bring” snacks and beverages. Professional pajamas are allowed :). You will need access to your syllabus and handouts. You may choose to print them ahead of time or just have them handy on your screen. You may benefit from having a place to take notes, electronically or on paper. We will be using the chat feature on zoom, so phoning-in will not allow you to access the full meeting. I ask that if you do not have a private room in your home or office, that you wear headphones so that people may have some sense of confidentiality when sharing. Please find a place where your screen can be relatively still; screens that are constantly jostling can be very tiring to watch. Please arrive on-time or early if you want support in setting up or testing the technology piece. Once the lecture begins, there will be limited technological support.

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Crane, LMFT

Jeff has a doctorate degree from Texas Tech University. There he carried a research agenda that targeted relational treatment approaches to intimate partner violence (IPV). Currently, he continues to study the neurological effects of IPV for both perpetrator and victims and train interns at the Fresno Family Counseling Center in IPV conjoint treatment. He currently is an Assistant Professor at Fresno State University in the Marriage, Child and Family Counseling program.

Clinically, he keeps his skills sharpened by maintaining an active caseload at a local private practice. There he specializes in couples work related violence, addictions, affairs and trauma. While he really enjoys working with various couples’ issues, his is particularly interested repairing attachment wounds that come as a result family violence or IPV.

References: opportunities for reading

Smith, D. B., & Whiting, J. B. (2016). Clinical Assessment Interview for Intimate Partner Violence. Techniques for the Couple Therapist: Essential Interventions from the Experts, 239.

Weeks, G. R., Fife, S. T., & Peterson, C. M. TECHNIQUES FOR THE COUPLE THERAPIST.

Stith, S. M., & McCollum, E. E. (2011). Conjoint treatment of couples who have experienced intimate partner violence. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(4), 312-318.

Stith, S. M., McCollum, E. E., & Rosen, K. H. (2011). Couples therapy for domestic violence: Finding safe solutions. American Psychological Association.

McCollum, E. E., & Stith, S. M. (2007). Conjoint couple's treatment for intimate partner violence: Controversy and promise. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 6(1-2), 71-82.

The Refund Policy of CAMFT - CSJV Chapter is as follows:

Fees for chapter events are nonrefundable except in the case the event is cancelled or rescheduled. 

Should you have a grievance, question, or concerns regarding this course, the instructor, or any other aspects of our Continuing Education Program, please contact the Continuing Education Program Administrator or Chapter President. Contact information can be found on our website at www.camft-csjvchapter.org. Our Program Administrator will work diligently to rectify your concerns to your satisfaction as quickly as possible.

Facilities in which CAMFT - CSJV Chapter have agreed to utilize are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a special need and plan to attend the workshop, please contact Michael Crile, at (559) 931-5618 or Michael.crile.lmft@gmail.com. Please allow as much advanced notice as is possible to ensure that we have ample time to meet your required needs.

Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs , LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. CAMFT - CSJV Chapter is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. Central San Joaquin Valley Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. (CEP #62276)