MFT8103 - Assessing and Treating Family Violence

Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

This graduate level course examines family violence and the most effective way to address the consequences of it, including how to treat families that are affected by it. Theory and research will be explored related to definitions, causes, and characteristics of affected families (financial stress/poverty, social stress and the consequences of family violence. The types and targets of family violence will be explored. These include: spouse/partner, children, adolescents, collegeaged adults, adults, and older adults. Violence among those in special populations will be included (e.g., same sex couples, rural families, disabled individuals, cross-cultural families, and military families). Students will learn about the importance of completing a thorough and comprehensive assessment of family violence, including an examination of resilience or family strengths as applied to this topic. Finally, the course will prepare students to intervene with families impacted by violence. Information regarding individual, couple, family, and group interventions will be included in the course. Awareness of cultural and ethical considerations will be included throughout the course.