Treating Clients Who Minimize Domestic Violence (3 CEU's)

HIGH-RISK & CLINICAL EDGE CASES
Treating Clients Who Minimize Domestic Violence – 3 CEUs

Overview:
Clients experiencing domestic violence frequently minimize, rationalize, deny, or normalize abusive behaviors within relationships. Statements such as “it’s not that bad,” “they only act like that when they’re stressed,” or “at least they don’t hit me anymore” can create significant clinical challenges for therapists attempting to assess risk, support safety, and preserve the therapeutic alliance. Minimization is often not simply denial; it may function as a survival strategy rooted in trauma, fear, attachment needs, financial dependence, coercive control, cultural beliefs, shame, or attempts to maintain emotional stability. When clinicians respond too forcefully or prematurely challenge a client’s narrative, they risk increasing defensiveness, rupture, or disengagement from treatment.

In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, participants will explore practical and trauma-informed approaches for working with clients who minimize experiences of domestic violence. Attendees will examine the psychological and relational factors that contribute to minimization and learn how trauma bonding, coercive control, attachment dynamics, cultural considerations, and systemic barriers can influence client perceptions of abuse. The course will address subtle and nonphysical forms of domestic violence including emotional abuse, intimidation, financial control, sexual coercion, and psychological manipulation that may be overlooked during assessment. Participants will learn strategies for conducting thoughtful risk assessments, increasing client insight without confrontation, strengthening safety planning, documenting concerns effectively, and navigating ethical responsibilities while respecting client autonomy. Through case examples and clinical discussion, attendees will leave with increased confidence in addressing one of therapy’s most complex and sensitive areas of practice.

Objectives:

1. Identify psychological, relational, and systemic factors that contribute to client minimization of domestic violence experiences.

2. Recognize patterns of coercive control and nonphysical forms of abuse that may be overlooked in clinical assessment.

3. Apply trauma-informed assessment, communication, and safety-planning strategies while maintaining therapeutic alliance and client autonomy.

Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of trauma-informed approaches for working with clients who minimize domestic violence. Participants will learn assessment considerations and intervention strategies relevant to outpatient mental health practice. This training does not provide certification in domestic violence advocacy, forensic assessment, or emergency crisis intervention. Participants are expected to apply course content within their professional scope of practice, ethical guidelines, and applicable state laws and reporting requirements.

Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic interventions, trauma frameworks, assessment approaches, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.

Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.