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 intended for mental health professionals who have a foundational background in counseling or therapy and are seeking to deepen their expertise in identifying and addressing the impacts of intimate partner abuse on individuals and families. It is applicable across diverse mental health specialties, recognizing that intimate partner abuse can present in many clinical contexts. The program focuses on enhancing clinical treatment techniques for those working directly with clients affected by intimate partner abuse.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
    • Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
    • Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
    • Psychologists
    • Psychotherapists
    • Clinical Mental Health Counselors

  • Experience Level

    This program builds on the prior training, Understanding Intimate Partner Abuse: Assessment and Intervention, and is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals who already possess foundational counseling and therapy skills. Ideal participants have at least one year of supervised clinical experience and work in settings such as private practice, community agencies, or government programs.

    • Beginner: Participants are newer clinicians with at least one year of supervised clinical experience who have completed introductory training in intimate partner abuse assessment and now seek to strengthen their understanding of how IPV impacts children and families.

    • Intermediate: Participants have prior experience working with IPV cases and are looking to deepen their understanding of current research, evidence-based treatment practices, and strategies for addressing the needs of families affected by partner abuse across diverse clinical settings.

    • Advanced: Participants are seasoned clinicians with extensive background in IPV-related work, seeking to refine advanced treatment techniques and apply nuanced clinical judgment in complex or multi-layered family dynamics, with less emphasis on policy and more on intervention skill-building.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians use these skills in client-centered, trauma-informed environments that provide direct assessment and treatment, often within interdisciplinary care teams or independent practice. Work emphasizes safety planning, coordinated care, confidentiality, and evidence-based interventions for individuals and families impacted by intimate partner abuse.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private outpatient practices
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital and emergency department behavioral health units
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health clinics
    • School-based and university counseling centers
    • Domestic violence shelters and advocacy agencies
    • Telehealth/virtual therapy platforms
    • Government/public health and child welfare agencies
    • Nonprofit family service organizations
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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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.