Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse—frequently termed Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—is defined as a pattern of coercive and predatory behaviors used by one individual to establish and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the DSM-5-TR, this abuse is not limited to physical violence; it encompasses a spectrum of psychological, emotional, sexual, and economic tactics. Counselors identify these dynamics through "The Power and Control Wheel," recognizing that the abuse often follows a cyclical pattern of tension-building, an incident, and a "honeymoon" phase. Because safety is the clinical priority, counselors are trained to distinguish between situational couple conflict and the systemic, intentional entrapment that characterizes true domestic abuse.