Domestic Violence In-Depth

Course Description

This course will give you the basics of domestic violence as well as a thorough and comprehensive look at it from several angles. This course is written by award-winning instructors Matt and Susan McMillan. Matt is a former police officer, prosecutor, and judge, and Susan is a licensed mental health counselor and jury trial consultant. Students will come away with a newfound understanding regarding the myths and realities of domestic violence and how it affects us all.

Domestic violence is so pervasive that there is one simple truth as a mental health counselor that you MUST know: You must have a thorough working knowledge of domestic violence if you intend to be a competent professional. Whether you primarily see adults, children, the elderly, singles, or couples, domestic violence affects them all. And even substance abuse professionals must know about domestic violence.

It is clear that, regardless of your practice situation, you will confront the issues of domestic violence, whether you recognize it or not. And if you do not recognize it, you may be setting yourself up for a malpractice claim or a complaint with the Board. It is unethical and malpractice not to develop some expertise in this area.

Although you may not wish to continue to see clients with these issues, when you finish this course, you will know what to look for, what to do, and what not to do. You will also know where to refer clients and when as well as the dynamics of these turbulent relationships.

Reviews

"This course was amazing and very informative. It was very beneficial and provided new insight into my ongoing clinical work, as well as work that I may be exposed to in the future."   ~Katrina Nethery, RCSWI, Pinellas Co, FL

“This is hands down the best domestic violence course I have ever completed. Very in-depth.”  ~Heather Whitfield, RMHCI, Hillsborough County, FL

"This is a topic that I am very familiar with, but I got more out of it than I have from other online CEUs . So I was really pleased by the straightforward/yet compassionate nature in which it was presented. In fact, when saw my patients the week after, I kept thinking of them within the framework that was presented. I haven't had the happen in a very long time."  ~Lia Cooper, LCSW

Course Objectives

By the end of the seminar, participants will:

• Understand the belief systems and thought processes of men who batter that enable them to rationalize abusive or destructive behavior.
• Identify warning signs or red flags of domestic violence in a family where all members deny its existence.
• Identify the characteristics of men who are likely to batter.
• Identify common tactics of men who batter.
• Describe the various treatment approaches for men who batter and understand which forms of treatment are most effective, which are least effective, and why.
• Recognize the effects of domestic violence on children.
• Conduct an interview with a victim of domestic violence that will encourage her to reveal whether or not she is abused and inform her of the resources available in the community that can help.
• Recognize when a referral to batterers intervention would be helpful to the family.
• Understand the relationship between substance abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence.