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: 

  1. Current models and research literature
  2. Evidence-based practice
  3. Intimate partner abuse and its effects on children
  4. Assessment methods
  5. Victim issues
  6. 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 skills in detecting and intervening in intimate partner violence (IPV), with a focus on clinical intervention. It is particularly relevant for those specializing in family, couples, or general mental health therapy, and is designed to provide advanced treatment techniques for addressing IPV in diverse client populations.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Licensed Professional Counselors
    • Clinical Social Workers
    • Psychologists
    • Couples Therapists

  • Experience Level

    This advanced CE training is designed for mental health professionals with foundational experience in counseling and therapy, focusing on enhancing skills in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) through evidence-based, client-centered approaches.

    • Beginner: Participants are newly licensed or pre-licensed professionals with at least one year of supervised clinical experience, familiar with basic counseling concepts and seeking to deepen their understanding of IPV intervention.

    • Intermediate: Participants have two or more years of clinical experience, have completed foundational IPV coursework, and are looking to expand their skills in applying evidence-based strategies across diverse therapeutic modalities.

    • Advanced: Participants are experienced clinicians with significant prior training in IPV, seeking to refine advanced intervention techniques, address complex cases, and integrate the latest research into specialized practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians apply these skills in clinical environments that deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families affected by intimate partner violence, often collaborating within multidisciplinary teams and established safety protocols. Work typically occurs in outpatient and community-based settings, with services provided in person or via telehealth to diverse populations.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private practice/outpatient clinics
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital or integrated primary care behavioral health
    • Domestic violence agencies and shelters
    • Court-mandated treatment programs or government agencies
    • Campus counseling centers
    • Telehealth-based practices
Presented By

John Hamel, PhD, LCSW

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). 



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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).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.