The Role of Domestic Violence Counseling in Healing and Recovery

Domestic violence is a widespread issue, with its effects being far-reaching and severe, not only for its victims but also for their children and, at times, their communities and extended families. The impact of domestic violence may start with serious injuries and may eventually lead to long-term physical and mental health problems for those involved and can be as severe as death. These devastating effects are often highlighted in the media, where cases related to homicides associated with domestic violence regularly appear, involving victims, their loved ones, and others trying to protect them. 

Read More: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Mental Health

Survivors of domestic violence (SDV) often experience a range of negative emotions, including post-victimization trauma, emotional distress, and psychological difficulties (Gibbons, 2011; Raveesh et al., 2022). While legal interventions provide necessary protection and a sense of justice, these measures alone cannot address the deep psychological scars left by domestic violence (Cenk, 2019). This is where domestic violence counselling becomes pivotal. 

Counselling provides survivors with the emotional support, coping strategies, and healing environment necessary to process their trauma, rebuild their sense of self, and regain control of their lives. Let’s understand the concept of domestic violence and then move on to the imperative role that domestic violence counselling plays. 

Defining Domestic Violence 

The terminology used to describe domestic violence varies, with terms such as wife abuse, partner violence, spouse abuse, and intimate partner violence. While these terms can be used interchangeably, they can also mean specific things, such as woman abuse, which is used to denote that most victims of domestic violence are primarily women. There is a lack of a consistent definition; instead, ones that fit the behavioural contexts are used. 

A widely agreed-upon behavioural definition that is necessary for healthcare providers to understand is that domestic violence is a repeated pattern of abusive and controlling behaviours, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as financial manipulation, used by adults or adolescents against their intimate partners. These patterns of intentional behaviour, involving physical attacks, terrorising acts, and controlling tactics, are used by perpetrators to instil fear and cause physical and psychological harm to victims and their children, all to gain control over or compliance from the victim. 

What is Domestic Violence Counseling? 

Domestic violence counselling is a specialized form of therapeutic support aimed at helping individuals who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. The primary goal of this type of counselling is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where survivors can process their trauma, explore their emotions, and work on rebuilding their sense of self-worth and safety. In such a therapeutic relationship, the therapist and the client work together to help the client recognize the dynamics of abuse, understand patterns of control and manipulation, and develop safety plans if they are still in danger. 

Dealing with the aftermath of domestic violence, which includes fear, shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is a crucial point that counselling helps clients with. The counselling process can involve individual therapy, group therapy, or both, focusing on building confidence, enhancing emotional resilience, and supporting the journey toward recovery and independence. Domestic violence counselling can also include referrals to legal support, housing assistance, or advocacy programs to ensure comprehensive care and protection for survivors. 

Transformative Effect of Domestic Violence Counseling 

Domestic violence (DV) is often described as a cyclical process consisting of four phases: building tension, the incident of abuse, reconciliation, and calmness (Both et al., 2019; Radford et al., 2019). In the first phase, disagreements and conflict create an environment of tension. The abuse episode, or second phase, is when the abuser does violent acts, like beating or slapping, that cause bodily, emotional, or psychic trauma. The abuser is trying to control the survivor at this phase, which is the most perilous.

The reconciliation phase, sometimes called “the excuse stage,” occurs after the occurrence and is characterized by the abuser’s apology or expression of regret, which frequently results in a false sense of peace. The last stage is a brief period of peace before emotions quickly rise once again and the next violent incident occurs. Because of its cyclical nature, survivors may hold onto times of peace and reconciliation in the hazardous idea that the abuse will someday stop. Perpetrators, in turn, may view the cycle as a normal part of relationships (Fife & Schrager, 2012). 

This cycle can trap survivors in abusive relationships, fostering misconceptions about the potential for change. However, counselling plays a pivotal role in breaking this cycle by addressing these misconceptions and transforming how both survivors and perpetrators view domestic violence. Counselling offers structured, goal-directed interventions that help survivors cope with the harm they have experienced (Lai, 2011).

One of its key benefits is helping survivors recognize that the responsibility for the abuse lies with the perpetrator, not with themselves. Many survivors internalise the abuse, believing they are to blame for the abuser’s behaviour. In reality, abusers often manipulate survivors to feel undeserving, creating negative self-talk and feelings of worthlessness. Counselling helps survivors challenge and change these destructive beliefs, promoting positive self-perception and empowerment (Chibanda et al., 2011).

Through talking therapy and techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), survivors can begin to alter their negative thought patterns. CBT teaches individuals that while they cannot control everything around them, they can control how they interpret and respond to their circumstances.

Counselling thus becomes a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of DV by enabling survivors to regain control over their thoughts, emotions, and actions (Bor, 2002; Chowdhary et al., 2016). As survivors start to understand that they are not to blame for the abuse, they become more assertive, better equipped to seek help, and more confident in pursuing legal redress (Davies et al., 1995). 

Counselling not only facilitates emotional and psychological recovery but also helps survivors open up about their experiences, allowing the root causes of the abuse to be addressed. By providing a safe space for survivors to share their stories, counselling empowers them to confront the cycle of abuse, heal from its effects, and ultimately break free from its grip. Through counselling, survivors can transform their lives, learn to assert their boundaries, and find a path to lasting recovery and freedom from domestic violence.

Read More: Understanding Domestic Violence Through ‘It Ends With Us’

Goals of Domestic Violence Counseling 

One of the significant shifts in domestic violence counselling is moving away from victim-blaming and focusing on empowering the survivor. Traditionally, women were often blamed for their victimisation, but now the understanding has evolved. Counsellors no longer view victims as complicit in the abuse, instead recognizing the complex psychological mechanisms that keep women trapped in abusive relationships. The key to effective counselling lies in helping women regain control over their lives, rebuild their sense of self, and recover from the psychological trauma inflicted by abuse. 

The goals of domestic violence counselling are rooted in three fundamental components: safety, empowerment, and healing. Counsellors prioritise the woman’s physical safety, ensuring she is protected from further violence. Equally important is the empowerment of the survivor, helping her regain power and control over her own life, which was eroded by the abuser’s dominance. Finally, the counsellor supports the woman in healing from the deep emotional and psychological wounds caused by the abuse. This includes addressing issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in trusting others. By focusing on these three goals, domestic violence counselling provides a path toward recovery and autonomy. 

Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Counseling 

Research conducted by the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group, led by Mohajer Hameed and colleagues, indicates that psychological therapies likely help reduce depression in women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and may also alleviate anxiety. 

The HOPE (Helping to Overcome PTSD through Empowerment) intervention offers significant benefits for women experiencing domestic violence by using a cognitive-behavioural approach that empowers participants. Research shows that HOPE effectively reduces intimate partner violence-related PTSD symptoms, and depression, and enhances overall health-related quality of life. By equipping survivors with coping strategies, HOPE helps them regain a sense of control and fosters resilience. 

Similarly, the RISE (Recovering from IPV through Strengths and Empowerment) intervention, designed for women veterans, emphasises empowerment and skill development through a modular approach and Motivational Interviewing. High satisfaction ratings and positive feedback indicate its feasibility and acceptability. RISE not only improves immediate psychosocial well-being but also equips women with practical skills to navigate their experiences with intimate partner violence, enhancing their overall readiness for recovery. Together, these interventions highlight the importance of empowerment-focused counselling in supporting survivors. 

Mindfulness therapy in domestic violence counselling offers several benefits, including the reduction of trauma and PTSD symptoms, improved emotion regulation, and enhanced self-awareness of thoughts and behaviours. It promotes adaptive coping strategies and helps individuals align their actions with personal values, fostering positive behavioural changes. Additionally, mindfulness interventions have shown high acceptability among participants and demonstrate feasibility for further research, making them a promising approach for addressing underlying issues related to domestic violence. 

In conclusion, it is crucial to choose the right certified and licensed therapist for domestic violence counselling, as this decision significantly impacts the healing journey of survivors. A qualified therapist can provide the necessary support and tools for recovery, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and break free from the cycle of abuse. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please reach out for help. You can call the helpline at 181 to access support and resources. Remember, you are not alone, and there is help available.