An experimental design was used to determine outcomes of a domestic violence-focused treatment program for couples that choose to stay together after mild-to-moderate violence has occurred. Forty-two couples were randomly assigned to either individual couple or multi-couple group treatment. Nine couples served as the comparison group. Male violence recidivism rates 6 months after treatment were significantly lower for the multi-couple group (25%) than for the comparison group (66%). In contrast, men in the individual couple condition were not significantly less likely to recidivate (43%) than those in the comparison group. In addition, marital satisfaction increased significantly, and both marital aggression and acceptance of wife battering decreased significantly among individuals who participated in multi-couple group therapy, but not among those who participated in individual couple therapy or the comparison group.

Up to 65% of couples who seek therapy for marital problems have had at least one prior violent episode. Unfortunately, therapists often miss this critical information because they do not eff ectively assess for it. Th is book presents a safety-focused approach to assessment and treatment of couples who choose to remain together after one or both partners have been violent.

This paper reviews changes in the research literature on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) since our earlier review (Stith, Rosen, & McCollum, 2003 This paper reviews changes in the research literature on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) since our earlier review (Stith, Rosen, & McCollum, 2003). A number of changes have occurred in the way we view IPV as well as in our knowledge about existing and developing treatment approaches. In this manuscript we describe the research that has led to these changes, as we seek to understand and deal with what remains a serious and costly social problem. Since there is a very limited amount of research on violence in same sex relationships, and no research on the effectiveness of treatment approaches for same sex couples, the research that is reviewed here is reflective of that limitation. An Evolving Understanding of IPVAs a result of research in the field, our understanding of IPV is beginning to broaden and change. Traditionally, IPV has been seen through a feminist paradigm and understood to be the expression of men's power over women, occurring in intimate heterosexual relationships, and supported by a patriarchal culture. Violence was considered a male phenomenon with women either remaining solely victims or assaulting their male partners in self defense. Violence was also seen as the primary problem with co-existing issues often seen as distractions that helped men evade responsibility for their violence. The responsibility for violence was unilaterally men's while the costs were unilaterally women's and the focus of intervention was to end violence specifically against women.Evidence for this view of IPV came from studies using criminal justice and shelterseeking populations and showed considerable gender-asymmetry (i.e. many more men than women are arrested and many more women than men seek shelter in domestic violence victim Treatment of Intimate Partner Violence 4 shelters). However, this view was challenged as research using community samples began to be conducted. Although research examining arrested offenders or victims seeking shelter continues to show dramatic gender-asymmetry, community-based studies find that IPV perpetration and victimization may be more gender-symmetrical than we previously thought with participants reporting male perpetrated, female perpetrated, and reciprocally perpetrated violence. Whitaker, Haileyesus, Swahm and Saltzman (2007), for instance, analyzed data on 11,370 US adults aged 18 to 28 from the 2001 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and found almost 24% of all relationships had some violence. Interestingly, this study found that half of those relationships were reciprocally violent; that is, both partners assaulted each other. Furthermore, in those relationships where the violence was unilateral, women were the perpetrators in more than 70% of the cases. Methods used to assess violence, including sampling strategies, influence prevalence rates, yet, it is also becoming clearer that both men and women perpetrate ...

Despite its controversy, carefully conceptualized and delivered couples treatment appears to be at least as effective as traditional treatment for domestic violence, and preliminary data suggests that it does not place women at greater risk for injury. However, the body of research on which these conclusions rest is sparse. Only six experimental studies have been done, each using different eligibility criteria, outcome measures, and treatment approaches. Thus, further study of this modality is warranted. Marriage and family therapists have an important part to play in continuing to develop and test innovative ways of helping couples end violence and improve their relationships--an endeavor that promises to improve the quality of the partners' lives as well as those of their children.

Some of the more difficult to define aspects of the therapeutic process (empathy, compassion, presence) remain some of the most important. Teaching them presents a challenge for therapist trainees and educators alike. In this study, we examine our beginning practicum students' experience of learning mindfulness meditation as a way to help them develop therapeutic presence. Through thematic analysis of their journal entries a variety of themes emerged, including the effects of meditation practice, the ability to be present, balancing being and doing modes in therapy, and the development of acceptance and compassion for themselves and for their clients. Our findings suggest that mindfulness meditation may be a useful addition to clinical training.