Domestic abuse remains a significant issue affecting individuals, couples and families and is something many counsellors and psychotherapists will encounter in practice. While practitioners may feel confident responding to overt forms of abuse, coercive control and other patterns of harmful behaviour can be more difficult to identify and address within the therapeutic relationship. 

This event will explore how domestic abuse may present in a variety of counselling contexts and consider practical, evidence-informed approaches to assessment, intervention and safeguarding. Participants will examine the dynamics of power and control, understand the impact of abuse on those affected, and consider how therapeutic practitioners can respond in ways that prioritise safety and minimise harm. 

The event will also take an intersectional perspective, exploring how factors such as culture, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, gender identity and socio-economic circumstances can influence experiences of abuse, responses to risk, help-seeking behaviours and access to specialist support. Participants will consider how anti-oppressive and culturally responsive practice can support more inclusive and effective therapeutic interventions. 

The session will also address specific challenges that may arise when domestic abuse becomes apparent during couples counselling, including considerations around client safety, suitability for ongoing joint work and the importance of specialist referral pathways. Through discussion, case material and reflective practice, delegates will gain practical tools and greater confidence in responding effectively when domestic abuse is present. 

Event aims 

The main aims of this event are to: 

  • increase understanding of domestic abuse and coercive control within therapeutic settings
  • explore how domestic abuse may present in individual and couples counselling
  • examine good practice guidance for responding to disclosures of abuse safely and ethically
  • develop practitioners' confidence in assessing risk, safety planning and prioritising client safety, while recognising how culture, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, gender identity and socio-economic circumstances may influence experiences of abuse, help-seeking behaviours and access to specialist support
  • improve understanding of referral pathways and collaborative working with specialist domestic abuse services
  • encourage critical reflection on professional boundaries, ethical decision-making and safeguarding responsibilities 

Learning outcomes

By attending this event, delegates will learn to:

  • identify signs and indicators of domestic abuse and coercive control within therapeutic relationships
  • recognise factors that may increase risk and require additional safeguarding considerations
  • describe good practice responses to disclosures of domestic abuse
  • evaluate the appropriateness of different therapeutic interventions where abuse is present, including considerations relevant to couples counselling
  • make informed decisions about referral, signposting and onward support, recognising how culture, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, gender identity and socio-economic circumstances may influence help-seeking behaviours and access to specialist services
  • apply a trauma-informed and safety-focused approach to their practice

Programme 

This event will begin at 9.30am and finish around 1pm. 

The programme will be made available soon. 

Key information

This event will take place online on Wednesday 24 February 2027.

After booking you'll receive a confirmation email. Full joining instructions will be sent out nearer the event date.

Your booking includes:

  • approximately three hours of CPD presentations
  • CPD certificate to download
  • selected presentation slides
  • access to the on-demand service to catch up on the recordings from Wednesday 24 February 2027 to Monday 24 May 2027
  • opportunities to network with other attendees through the chatroom

Accessibility

The event livestream service is available with AI subtitles.  

The on-demand service will be subtitled and/or transcribed through a reviewed process to ensure accuracy.

For a full list of our event accessibility commitments please visit our website >