Counseling Techniques Used to Help Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence does not just leave physical scars on its victims. In fact, in many cases psychological scars left by domestic violence are much longer lasting and much more troubling than its purely physical aftereffects. When a counselor works with a victim of domestic violence, he needs to primarily focus on that victim's ongoing safety.

Single Session Awareness

• Counselors who work with victims of domestic violence have to face an unpleasant reality with each new patient that they see. The chance that a counselor will only see a patient once is something unpleasant that needs to be faced time after time. So one of the techniques employed when working with victims is to let them know about their options. Patients need to be told what their legal, emotional and physical options are in their abusive situation. Many are not sure what recourse they have and feel that their situation is hopeless.

Creating a Safety Plan

• A counsellor can help victims of domestic violence, but often the victims continue to stay with their abusers. Counselors stress the importance of a safety plan in the event that a victim stays with his abuser. This means that the victim should actually actively practice escaping quickly from the house. A vehicle should always be kept full of gas in case a situation should become dangerous and the victim decides to leave. An emergency travel kit should also be kept packed at all times.

Suggesting Legal Options

• Although a counselor cannot insist that a victim pursue her legal options, she almost always need to at least make sure that the victim knows what their legal options are. There are no places or situations in the United States where domestic violence is legal or acceptable. In all cases the victims of such abuse have legal recourse available to them should they choose to take it. The problem is that not everyone understands that the legal system and police are there to help and how they work in such situations.

Group Therapy

• In a group situation, victims can speak to other people who have endured similar situations. This is a problem faced by many other people, and group therapy can help victims feel less alone. Group therapy can be a source of strength and support for victims who have left dangerous and abusive situations and can be a valuable part of establishing a new life. Group therapy also helps victims overcome the self-confidence or guilt problems that are tied to being victimized.