| The Battered Womens Movement and Clinical | | | | I have since learned that this is understandably so, |
| Psychology are as far apart as the North and | | | | especially for women residing in domestic violence |
| South Pole. Yet, many people outside of these | | | | shelters. It is estimated that roughly 95% of |
| circles/disciplines believe domestic abuse | | | | women going through the abuse shelter system |
| treatmentand advocacyare sub-specialties of the | | | | will be certified (i.e. blessed with a psychiatric |
| practice of psychology. Not at all so! | | | | diagnosis) by virtue of their navigating the mental |
| After I fled from the danger I lived in Chicago, I | | | | health care systemwhile in route to safetyas a |
| retreated into a life of solace and wrote All But | | | | survivor of domestic violence. |
| My Soul: Abuse Beyond Control. Creating that | | | | This truly disturbed me, as a practicing |
| publication was the most amazing experience of | | | | psychologist and domestic abuse survivor. Even |
| my liferight up there with the birth of a child. It | | | | more disturbing was the fact that I could find little |
| was my fourth child. | | | | to no domestic violence curricula offered in |
| With the enthusiasm of a child, I approached | | | | psychological training. |
| individuals in the domestic violence arena, eager to | | | | In no way am I suggesting that one not seek the |
| share what I had learned and produced in the | | | | services of domestic abuse advocacy; to the |
| manuscript. Initially, I was not received well and | | | | contrary. I strongly believe in the work of |
| couldnt understand why, until an individual from | | | | domestic abuse advocates. However, I recognize |
| the inner circle of the Battered Womens | | | | that when utilizing domestic abuse advocacy, one |
| Movement shared the inside politics with me. | | | | must be mindful of the importance of also |
| You will have a hard time breaking into this line of | | | | securing the expertise of a mental health |
| work," she said, "because you are a psychologist. | | | | professional, authentically knowledgeable in |
| Funny thing is I thought this was my asset, until | | | | domestic violence. |
| she helped me realized it was my liability among | | | | The front line treatment for domestic violence |
| battered women. | | | | and the actual practice of professional psychology |
| She explained that historically the psychologists | | | | are truly as far apart as the automotive industry |
| were used in re-victimizing survivors of domestic | | | | and the practice of dentistry. I vowed to commit |
| abuse at the bequest of their perpetrators. And | | | | myself to helping bridge this huge knowledge and |
| over the years, actually decades, they became | | | | service gap. |
| the enemies of battered women. | | | | |