5 Hours / 5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Understanding Intimate Partner Abuse: Current Models, Theory, and Research is presented by John Hamel, PhD, LCSW.

Intimate partner abuse, often referred to as domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV), is a complex, often misunderstood phenomena that impacts both men and women.  Children in households where IPV occurs can be affected emotionally, psychologically, and physically, and these effects can have significant implications for their development and well-being.  This program provides an overview of current research literature and models that highlight the effects of IPV on victims and children and clarify the strengths and liabilities of current intervention policies.

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 is applicable 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.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe research-based statistics on the prevalence of partner abuse in the United States, providing a foundational understanding of its impact.
  • 2 Describe key risk factors for partner abuse perpetration, enhancing early identification and prevention strategies.
  • 3 Describe how research influences policy-making in the context of intimate partner abuse, preparing professionals for broader systemic impact.
  • 4 Describe the impacts of intimate partner abuse on children and families, including psychological, behavioral, and developmental outcomes.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is applicable across diverse mental health specialties, as intimate partner abuse can present in many clinical contexts. Clinicians may work in a range of settings, including private practices, community centers, and government agencies, using these skills to identify and address the impacts of intimate partner abuse on clients and families.

  • Experience Level

    This training is for mental health professionals with at least one year of supervised clinical experience. It is suitable for those seeking to deepen their expertise in detecting and treating intimate partner abuse within their clinical practice.

  • Practice Setting

    • Mental health professionals with a minimum of one year of supervised clinical experience.
    • Clinicians already grounded in the basics of counseling and therapy.
    • Professionals working in private practices, community mental health centers, government agencies, and other diverse clinical environments.

Presented By

View More Programs from this Presenter

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

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.