4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

The on-demand professional training program on Evidence-Based Treatment of Intimate Partner Abuse is presented by John Hamel, PhD, LCSW.

This program provides a brief overview of current intervention policies on domestic violence and identifies areas needing improvement. This is followed by a review of the extant empirical research on domestic violence's prevalence, causes, dynamics, and consequences, including differences and similarities across sex, sexual orientation, and ethnic minority status. 

The primary focus of the program is on best practices, from a family systems framework, for the assessment and treatment of perpetrators, victims, and their families, based on the presenter’s 30 years of clinical experience working with court-mandated offenders in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as his 20+ years of research on the subject and experience as an expert witness in both criminal and family court settings.

There is an emphasis on reconciling diverse points of view regarding intervention policies and methods so that perpetrators are held accountable, and victim safety is increased while addressing the mental health needs of everyone involved.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe a brief review of the strengths and weaknesses of current intervention policies in domestic violence.
  • 2 Identify 4 of the primary risk factors for the perpetration of intimate partner abuse.
  • 3 Describe 3 ways that intimate partner abuse affects victims and children.
  • 4 Describe at least 2 validated and reliable assessment instruments.
  • 5 Describe a minimum of 3 empirically-supported interventions found to be effective in reducing rates of intimate partner abuse.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is for mental health professionals, child custody evaluators, school counselors, educators, and law enforcement personnel, drawing on both clinical and research expertise in domestic violence. They likely specialize in working with perpetrators, victims, and families affected by domestic violence, focusing on assessment, intervention, and increasing safety while addressing mental health needs. They typically work in clinical, forensic, or community settings, including courts, schools, and mental health agencies.

  • Experience Level

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


    • Suitable for both early-career and experienced professionals.

    • Beneficial for those seeking foundational knowledge or advanced strategies in domestic violence intervention.

    • Appropriate for individuals new to the field as well as those seeking continuing education or specialized training in domestic violence.

  • Practice Setting

    • Mental health professionals (therapists, counselors, psychologists).

    • Child custody evaluators.

    • School counselors and educators.

    • Law enforcement personnel.

    • Social workers and case managers.

    • Court and legal professionals.

    • Community agency staff working with domestic violence cases.

Presented By

John Hamel, Ph.D., LCSW, Ph.D., 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).

View More Programs from this Presenter
John Hamel, Ph.D., LCSW

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Overview of intervention policies, and current research on domestic violence.

  • Assessment and 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.