Understanding and Treating Domestic and Interpersonal Violence: Modifications for Stockholm Syndrome

While every state is different, most require mental health professionals to achieve at least minimal education and training in the understanding, identification, evaluation, and treatment of interpersonal violence. Few states, if any, require clinicians to gain an understanding in the identification and treatment of what is currently known as Stockholm Syndrome, despite that it is more pernicious than other sequelae of interpersonal violence. If we are to liberate people from the bondage of Stockholm Syndrome, it is necessary that clinicians can easily identify, manage, and eventually treat this symptom complex.

Historically associated with the response to being physically held in captivity, we now understand that Stockholm Syndrome may be present in millions of abuse victims who remain stuck in emotionally and physically violent relationships and circumstances. In these cases, victims endure near constant gaslighting by their perpetrators and can lose their ability to accurately discern and respond to their previous realities. In order to survive in these conditions and minimize harm for themselves and oftentimes for others (ex: children, family members), victims develop a form of Reality Dysmorphia as their perception is slowly but surely modified and distorted to match the perpetrator’s version of reality.

This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Identify the sequelae of domestic violence and the symptom profile associated with Stockholm Syndrome.
2. Compare strategies used in treatment when a victim has exited a violent relationship with those that are used with the victim who remains in the violent relationship.
3. Design an exit plan for a victim who remains in a violent relationship.
4. Describe the four tiers of treatment for those who have endured domestic violence.
5. Explain the factors and symptoms which are unique to Stockholm Syndrome.

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Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: This program presents a clinical review of the techniques used to identify, manage, and treat the sequelae of domestic and interpersonal violence. Additionally, the phenomenon of Stockholm Syndrome will be explained so that clinicians can easily discern between traditional symptoms associated with domestic violence and the symptom profile that results following long-term exposure to being held in captivity, being exposed to gaslighting, and experiencing trauma-based perceptual distortion. It is consistent with the ethics code of the American Psychological Association and also has its own established code of ethics as developed by the Association of Comprehensive Psychology. Statements about approval or denial of services are according to presenter’s understanding of medical necessity and clinical documentation standards at the time of the program. This program discusses strategies for applying the methods taught in a clinically responsible manner, although the presenter may not know how to apply all principles discussed to every situation or person. A body of research surveyed in the program suggests that the methods are effective and safe. As always, however, misapplication of psychotherapeutic interventions with mentally vulnerable populations can lead to harmful outcomes.

Declaration of conflicts of interest and commercial support: The presenter conducts trainings, provides clinical services, and has written books related to the content of this program.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. To receive CE credit hours for an archived recording, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events are generally considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

GoodTherapy is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within Counseling Services.

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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