Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence—often referred to as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—is a pattern of coercive behaviors used by one person to maintain power and control over another in an intimate or family relationship. This is not limited to physical assault; it encompasses a broad spectrum of abuses including emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic exploitation. Professional counselors define it as a systemic cycle of abuse that causes trauma and requires specific ethical considerations, such as safety planning and a careful assessment of whether traditional conjoint therapy (like couples counseling) is safe or appropriate.
