Citation

Karakurt G, Dial S, Korkow H, Mansfield T, Banford A. J. Fam. Psychother. 2013; 24(1): 1-16.

Affiliation

LMFT is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Connecticut in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. She can be contacted at 75 Hockanum Blvd #1824, Vernon, CT, 06066, 801-376-4828, banford@gmail.com .

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08975353.2013.762864

PMID

24817787

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to explore the experiences of marriage and family therapists in working with violent couples. In particular, we focused on therapists' questions and feelings of competency pertaining to violence assessment and treatment, the difficulties they face during their practices, and the factors that affect their practice. Data for this study was collected via a focus group that lasted approximately an hour. The participants included five marriage and family therapists. A set of questions were used to explore experiences of therapists who were working with clients who are experiencing domestic violence. The research team recorded the answers to these questions as well as associated discussion. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data. Six themes were derived from the coded data: acknowledgment and reliance on systemic foundations, therapist factors, assessment, treatment considerations, sex of batterers, and training in Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

Language: en