Working with Domestic Violence and Coercive Control in Clinical Practice: A Practical Guide for Psychologists

Presently there is difficulty in finding information on how to work in the context of domestic violence and abuse in clinical practice within psychology, despite domestic violence being a significant public health concern. Working with Domestic Violence and Coercive Control in Clinical Practice argue that awareness and competence in this area is essential to good therapeutic work. The chapters offer conclusions and recommendations from research, experience in clinical practice, and survivor testimonies and consulting professionals in trauma services and the domestic violence sector.

This book brings together psychological theory within an ecological and social understanding of the context the individual lives within to provide a nuanced understanding of DVA and dynamics of coercive control to best support mental well-being in this context. Specific topics covered include intimate partner violence, abuse post separation, family courts, and the impact of this on children and families.

This book equips the practitioner with skills and offers a series of actionable recommendations that are embedded with knowledge about trauma and the impact of coercion viewed through an intersectional and feminist lens that considers power in relationships, and most importantly, from a stance that resonates with survivors. It is key reading for practitioner psychologists and clinicians across disciplines to equip themselves with the latest knowledge, skills and research in this area to best support the individuals, couples, families and communities they work with.

Dr Saira Khan earned her license as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in the USA and is now a counselling psychologist in the United Kingdom. Her doctoral research focused on recovery after coercive control. She has over 20 years of clinical work experience in the public and charitable sectors across two countries and now specialises in mind-body approaches to trauma recovery.

Dr Mou Sultana is a lecturer, clinical and academic supervisor at the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences. She works as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist (British Psychological Society) and a Psychotherapist (Irish Council of Psychotherapy) at her private practice Need2talk. She has over 10 years of experience working in domestic violence perpetrator programs.

Dr Katy Lord is an HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist with extensive experience working in the NHS and private practice, delivering trauma-informed and relational psychotherapies. She has a keen interest in raising awareness of domestic abuse and identifying overt and covert patterns of behaviour that may sometimes be missed or overlooked.