There are a wide variety of counseling and mental health interventions available to families affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). Usually, families need more than therapy; they need case management and advocacy to assist the victim of violence in navigating the legal system, and in obtaining the resources and support the adult victim needs to maintain safety and security for herself/himself and the children. It is important that mental health treatment be provided in a context of comprehensive support for the children and their nonoffending parent.
For children, interventions include groups, individual therapy, and dyadic treatment with their nonoffending parent. An essential component of intervention with all children is the priority of supporting and strengthening the relationship between the nonoffending parent and the child. For most children, a strong relationship with a parent is a key factor in helping a child heal from the effects of IPV.
The following interventions for children who experience posttraumatic reactions following their exposure to IPV have been developed and tested by members of the NCTSN.
CDCP is a model of secondary prevention that provides crisis intervention and follow-up community- and clinic-based clinical and collaborative interventions for exposed children.
CPP is an intervention model for children aged 0-6 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, and/or behavioral problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder.
SPARCS is a manually-guided and empirically-supported group treatment designed to improve the emotional, social, academic, and behavioral functioning of adolescents exposed to chronic interpersonal trauma and/or separate types of trauma.
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers.