title: Experiences of Marriage and Family Therapists Working with Intimate Partner Violence.
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.
authors.affiliation: LMFT is an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Cleveland, OH 44106. (216) 368 2757, fax (216) 368 4348, gkk6@case.edu .
authors.forename: Gunnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karakurt
authors.affiliation: LMFT is a doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She can be contacted at 1318 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401,(806) 765-2611, ext.2013, fax (806) 765-2630, dial.shannon@gmail.com .
authors.forename: Shannonn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dial
authors.affiliation: is a doctoral student at Texas Tech University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She can be contacted at 515 N. Zenith, Lubbock, TX, 79403, (806) 765-2737, fax, (806) 765-2735, hannah.korkow@ttu.edu .
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Korkow
authors.affiliation: LMFTA is a doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He can be contacted at 132 N Utica Ave, Lubbock, TX 79416, (806) 743-2820, ext.269, fax, (806) 765-2735, ty.mansfield@gmail.com .
authors.forename: Ty
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.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 .
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banford
keywords: Intimate partner violence; abuse; couple therapy; therapists experiences