5 Hours / 5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Advanced Strategies in Partner Abuse Interventions: Working with Perpetrators, the Systems Perspective and Family Interventions is presented by John Hamel, PhD, LCSW.

This program presents advanced techniques and approaches to address the complexities of intimate partner violence (IPV) more effectively. This program demonstrates best-practice strategies in working with perpetrators and victims within various modalities like individual, group, and couples/family therapy.

This program is intended to be a sequel to the previous presentation - Evidence-Based Practices in Partner Abuse Treatment and Evidence-Based Practices in Partner Abuse Treatment, which provides more guidance on evidence-based practice. It is also encouraged that participants attend part 1, Understanding Intimate Partner Abuse: Current Models, Theory, and Research, prior to registering for this event. 

This program is intended for mental health professionals who are already grounded in the basics of counseling and therapy. Ideal participants include those with at least one year of clinical experience under supervision. This program applies to a wide range of work environments, recognizing that the skills in detecting intimate partner abuse are essential in diverse settings. Including those practicing in a private clinic, contributing to a community center, or part of a government agency, this program enriches your expertise. The primary focus here is on enhancing treatment techniques, with less emphasis on policy aspects.

The 5-hour course is structured to meet the California psychologist pre-licensure coursework requirement for training in Spousal or Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection, and Intervention Strategies for Psychologists as required by the California Board of Psychology.

Topics covered Include: 

  • Current models and research literature
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Intimate partner abuse and its effects on children
  • Assessment methods
  • Victim issues
  • Perpetrator treatment

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Demonstrate best-practice strategies in working with perpetrators and victims within various modalities like individual, group, and couples/family therapy
  • 2 Describe and address the unique challenges and implications of partner abuse involving children
  • 3 Demonstrate approaches that maximize treatment effectiveness while maintaining a focus on client-centered care and strategies that prioritize victim safety in the context of intimate partner abuse interventions
  • 4 Describe factors that influence client engagement and therapeutic alliance in partner abuse intervention programs

  • Intended Audience

    This advanced training is intended for mental health professionals who are seeking to enhance their practical skills in detecting and intervening in intimate partner violence (IPV). It is especially relevant for those specializing in family, couples, or general mental health therapy, and for practitioners aiming to deepen their clinical treatment techniques for IPV cases.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Family Therapist
    • Couples Therapist
    • General Mental Health Therapist
    • Counselor
    • Psychotherapist

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants have at least one year of supervised clinical experience and a basic understanding of counseling and therapy principles. They may be new to IPV-specific interventions but are familiar with general assessment and treatment planning.
    • Intermediate: Participants have prior experience applying evidence-based practices in partner abuse treatment and have attended foundational trainings (e.g., Understanding Intimate Partner Abuse: Current Models, Theory, and Research). They are comfortable working with both victims and perpetrators in various modalities.
    • Advanced: Participants have extensive clinical experience with IPV cases, regularly utilize advanced assessment and intervention strategies, and seek to refine their skills in complex cases involving children, family systems, and multi-modal treatment approaches.

  • Practice Setting

    Mental health professionals specializing in intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention typically practice in confidential, supportive environments designed to foster trust and safety for clients. These settings prioritize privacy, comfort, and accessibility, allowing for sensitive discussions and therapeutic work with individuals, couples, or families affected by IPV. Practitioners may work independently or as part of multidisciplinary teams, often collaborating with other healthcare providers, social workers, or legal professionals. The environment is structured to accommodate both one-on-one and group sessions, and may include resources for crisis intervention and referrals.

    • Private therapy offices or group practices
    • Community mental health centers
    • Nonprofit organizations focused on domestic violence or family services
    • Hospital-based outpatient behavioral health clinics
    • University counseling centers
    • Government agencies (e.g., child protective services, family court support units)
    • Telehealth platforms providing remote counseling and intervention

Presented By

John Hamel, PhD, LCSW, John Hamel & Associates

John Hamel, Ph.D., LCSW, a graduated of U.C.L.A. and the University of Central Lancashire, has treated family violence victims and perpetrators since 1992, and has provided expert witness consultation and testimony in numerous criminal and family law cases. Dr. Hamel also a researcher, and the author or editor of several books, including Gender and Domestic Violence: Contemporary Legal Practice and Intervention Reforms (Oxford University Press, 2022), and Gender-Inclusive Treatment of Intimate Partner Abuse: Evidence-Based Approaches, 2nd Edition (Springer, 2014). He is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Partner Abuse, and is the founder of the Association of Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (ADVIP).

View More Programs from this Presenter
John Hamel, PhD, LCSW

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Current models and research literature

  • Evidence-based practice

  • Intimate partner abuse and its effects on children

  • Assessment methods

  • Victim issues

  • Perpetrator treatment

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.