Neurophysiological Impact of IPV Victimization: One Reason Victims May Return to Abusive Relationships
Presented by Leigh Falls Holman, Ph.D.
Friday, November 22, 2024
9-11am PT / 11am-1pm CT / 12pm-2pm ET
Event held online via Zoom, link to access provided upon registration.
One aspect of working with victims of intimate partner violence that often frustrates and confuses clinicians is the fact that victims often return to abusive relationships, either with the current abuser or through serial abusive relationships (Crowe & Murray, 2015; Fleischack, Macleod, & Bohmke, 2020). It is well documented that there are several social and economic reasons that victims may return to abusive relationships (Crapolicchio et al., 2021; Du Monthier & Dusenbery, 2016; Lahav, 2023; Lin et al., 2023; Roberts et al., 2008; Swadley, 2017). Further, medical literature documents there are multiple neurobiological, physiological, and endocrine changes that occur when someone is the victim of IPV (Boeckel et al., 2017; Fonzo et al., 2010; Goldbert et al., 2023; Halldorsdottir et al., 2019; Kim et al., 2014; Pinto et al., 2016; Scott-Tilley et al., 2010; Simmons et al., 2008; Teche et al., 2017; Wong et al., 2014; Yim & Kofman, 2019). Given that we know that neurophysiology impacts psychological functioning and behavior, it is logical for clinicians to consider how these changes may contribute to a victim’s decision to return to an existing abusive relationship and/or enter serial abusive relationships.
The presenter will provide a short introduction and a literature review including neurophysiological research related to intimate partner violence victimization, research on neurophysiology on decision making and behavior, and existing theories regarding IPV victims returning to abusive relationships. Utilizing the literature as a foundation, the presenter will discuss a model implicating post-traumatic neurophysiological impacts of IPV in victims’ frequent return to abusive relationships and challenge participants to apply this model to cases. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.
Zoom link will be available on course page in “My Courses” upon event registration.
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs.
One aspect of working with victims of intimate partner violence that often frustrates and confuses clinicians is the fact that victims often return to abusive relationships, either with the current abuser or through serial abusive relationships (Crowe & Murray, 2015; Fleischack, Macleod, & Bohmke, 2020). It is well documented that there are several social and economic reasons that victims may return to abusive relationships (Crapolicchio et al., 2021; Du Monthier & Dusenbery, 2016; Lahav, 2023; Lin et al., 2023; Roberts et al., 2008; Swadley, 2017). Further, medical literature documents there are multiple neurobiological, physiological, and endocrine changes that occur when someone is the victim of IPV (Boeckel et al., 2017; Fonzo et al., 2010; Goldbert et al., 2023; Halldorsdottir et al., 2019; Kim et al., 2014; Pinto et al., 2016; Scott-Tilley et al., 2010; Simmons et al., 2008; Teche et al., 2017; Wong et al., 2014; Yim & Kofman, 2019). Given that we know that neurophysiology impacts psychological functioning and behavior, it is logical for clinicians to consider how these changes may contribute to a victim’s decision to return to an existing abusive relationship and/or enter serial abusive relationships.
The presenter will provide a short introduction and a literature review including neurophysiological research related to intimate partner violence victimization, research on neurophysiology on decision making and behavior, and existing theories regarding IPV victims returning to abusive relationships. Utilizing the literature as a foundation, the presenter will discuss a model implicating post-traumatic neurophysiological impacts of IPV in victims’ frequent return to abusive relationships and challenge participants to apply this model to cases. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- Identify at least three neurophysiological impacts of IPV victimization.
- Apply neurophysiological impact literature to a case study of an IPV victim returning to an abusive relationship.
- Identify at least one potential clinical practice implication of neurophysiological impact literature for their work with IPV victims.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
General Admission: $30
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Site Supervisors: $20*
The Chicago School Students: $15*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Leigh Falls Holman, Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision; Professor and Department Chair The Chicago School’s Dallas Clinical Mental Health Counseling program
Dr. Holman is a LPC-Supervisor in Texas and a LPC-MHSP-Supervisor in Tennessee and was awarded Diplomate status from the American Mental Health Counselors Association in Trauma Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, and Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders. Dr. Holman is also a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. She has specialized training and has worked clinically with victims and perpetrators of interpersonal violence for 30 years and taught as a counselor educator for close to 20 years.
Dr. Holman has conducted research, published, and presented extensively on clinical work with victims and perpetrators of interpersonal violence including publishing a textbook entitled Forensic Mental Health Counseling, which focuses on the clinical counseling aspects of working with victims and offenders involved with the justice system. Her work contributed to being awarded the Outstanding Professional award for contributions to the profession by the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counseling; the Kitty Cole Human Rights Award from the American Counseling Association for her body of work; and The Chicago School’s recent recognition for Distinguished Research and Scholarship.
Boeckel, M. G., Viola, T. W., Daruy-Filho, L., Martinez, M., & Grassi-Oliveira, R. (2017). Intimate partner violence is associated with increased maternal hair cortisol in mother-child dyads. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 72, 18-24.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.09.006.
Crapolicchio, E., Reglia, C., Di Bernardo, G. A., & Cinquegrana, V. (2021). The role of relational dependence, forgiveness and hope on the intention to return with an abusive partner. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(9), 2474-2493. Doi: 10.1177/02654075211011546.
Du Monthier, A., & Dusenbery, M. (Oct. 2016). Intersections of domestic violence and economic security: In focus. Briefing Paper. Institute for Women’s Policy Research. IWPR #B362. Retrieved from: https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/B362-Domestic-Violence-and-Economic-Security.pdf.
Fonzo, G. A., Simmons, A. N., Thorp, S. R., Norman, S. B., Paulus, M. P., & Stein, M. B. (2010). Exaggerated and disconnected insular-amygdalar blood oxygenation level-dependent response to threat-related emotional faces in women with intimate-partner violence posttraumatic stress disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 68, 433-441.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.04.028.
Goldberg, X., Espelt C., Nadal, R., Alon, Y., Palao, D., Bar-Haim. Y., Armario, A. (2023). Blunted neurobiological reactivity and attentional bias to threat underlie stress-related disorders in women survivors of intimate partner violence. Psychological Medicine 53, 7329–7340. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723000910.
Halldorsdottir, T., Kurtoic, D., Muller-Myhsok, B., Binder, E. B., & Blair, C. (Aug. 2019). Nuerobiology of self-regulation: Longitudinal influence of FKBP5 and intimate partner violence on emotional and cognitive development in childhood. American Journal of Psychiatry, 176(8), ajp.psychiatryonline.org.
Kim, H. K., Tiberio, S. S., Capaldi, D. M., Shortt, J. W., Squires, E. C., & Snodgrass, J. J. (Sept. 2014). Intimate partner violence and diurnal cortisol patterns in couples. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 51, 35-46.
Lahav, Y. (2023). Hyper-sensitivity to the perpetrator and the likelihood of returning to abusive relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(1-2). Doi: 10.1177/08862605221092075.
Lin, H.F., Postmus, J. L., Hu, H., & Stylianou, A. M. (2023). IPV experiences and financial strain over time: Insight from the blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 44, 434-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-022-09847-y.
Pinto, R., Correia-Santos, P. Costa-Leite, J., Levendosky, A. A., & Jongenelen, I. (2016). Cortisol awakening response among women exposed to intimate partner violence. Psychoendocrinology, 74, 57-64.
Roberts, J.. C., Wolfer, L., & Bele, M. (Feb. 2008). Why victims of intimate partner violence withdraw protection orders. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 369-375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-008-9161-z.
Scott-Tilley, D., Tilton, A., & Sandel, M. (2010). Biologic correlates to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in female victims of intimate partner violence: Implications for practice. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46(1). No doi.
Simmons, A. N., Paulus, M. P., Thorp, S. R., Matthews, S. C., Norman, S. B., & Stein, M. B. (May 2008). Functional activation and neural networks in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to intimate partner violence. Biological Psychiatry, 64, 681-690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.3008.05.027.
Swadley, R. L. (Spring 2017). Returning to abusive relationships: Related and predictive factors. Graduate Theses. Missouri State University. Retrieved from: https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4183&context=theses
Teche, S. P., Rovaris, D. L., Aguiar, B. W., Hauck, S., Vitola, E. S., Bau, C. H.D., Freitas, L. H., & Grevet, E. H. (2017). Resilience to traumatic events related to urban violence and increased IL10 serum levels. Psychiatry Research, 250, 136-140.
Ulloa, E. C., Hammett, J. F., Guzman, M. L., Hokoda, A. (2015). Psychological growth in relation to intimate partner violence: A review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 25, 88-94.
Wong, J. Y., Fong, D. Y., Lai, V., & Tiwari, A. (2014). Bridging intimate partner violence and the human brain: A literature review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15(1), 22-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838013496333.
Yim, I. S., & Kofman, Y. B. (2019). The psychobiology of stress and intimate partner violence. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 105, 9-24. https://doi.org/10.1016.j.psyneuen.2018.08.017.
Target Audience: Mental Health clinicians or those working with victims of IPV.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.