Domestic Violence, Both Seen and Felt, Puts Children at Risk

April 2nd, 2013  .  3 Comments

Children who witness violence within their homes are more likely to struggle with psychological and behavioral problems than those who do not witness aggression within their families. Some of the consequences related to witnessing violence include externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Similarly, children who experience violence at the hands of parents and family members are at increased... Read More

© Copyright 2013 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Laguna Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

The Effects of Incarceration on Mental Health

March 15th, 2013  .  5 Comments

Although jail time might seem like a distant possibility for most people, incarceration rates in the United States are steadily rising. One study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 41% of young adults have been arrested by the time they are 23. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that 6.6% of people serve time in prison at some point in their lives, and the statistic rises to a shocking 32% for African-American men. More than half of inmates are... Read More

Super Bowl Sunday: Worst Day of the Year for Domestic Violence?

February 1st, 2013  .  4 Comments

The claim that domestic violence is at its peak on Super Bowl Sunday has been repeated so often that it’s widely accepted as fact. It certainly jives nicely with popular ideas about the ways in which alcohol, stress, male bonding, loyalties, ... Read More

The Case of Rihanna: Why Do Domestic Abuse Victims Return to Their Abusers?

January 1st, 2013  .  8 Comments

If you are one of the few individuals who do not tweet or blog, you may not be aware that Rihanna and Chris Brown have recently reunited. The fact that he violently assaulted her three years ago does not seem to be of much concern to the couple or to the enthralled crowd of virtual onlookers who follows their every move. Why are we so obsessed with such drama? And why would Rihanna... Read More

© Copyright 2013 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Albany Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Interpersonal Violence Affects Men and Women in Similar Ways

December 31st, 2012  .  12 Comments

Some statistics suggest that women are more likely than men to be the victims of intimate partner sexual assault. Date rape, sexual assault, and even stalking are highly concerning issues for women. These events can increase a woman’s risk of psychological issues, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, substance... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Scottsdale Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Intimate Partner Violence Leads to Problem Behavior in Children

December 7th, 2012  .  8 Comments

Intimate partner violence (IPV) takes many forms, including physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual violence. Witnessing this type of behavior can result in deleterious outcomes for children. Problems, including disruptive behavior, are often present in children who have been exposed to IPV. But until now, the link... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Orlando Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

With a Little Help, Trauma Survivors Can Overcome Relationship Barriers

November 26th, 2012  .  11 Comments

Childhood trauma, such as abuse, neglect, sexual assault, and abandonment, can impact a child’s ability to form positive relationships later in life. The way a child copes with trauma can form the foundation for his or her coping strategies throughout life. Maladaptive strategies can lead to depression, eating issues, anxiety, substance misuse, sexual difficulties, and even suicide. These behaviors, coupled with the fears associated with relationships, can make adult... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Santa Monica Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Risk and Coping Among Women with Abusive Partners

November 13th, 2012  .  5 Comments

The way women cope with intimate partner violence (IPV) varies based on a number of factors. In a recent study, Lauren Bennett Cattaneo of the Department of Psychology at George Mason University in Virginia tested a relatively new coping model on a sample of 142 female survivors of IPV. The women were recruited after they had filed a legal complaint against their current or former partners. They were assessed... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Tampa Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Does Family Violence Raise Risk of Peer Victimization in Adolescents?

November 13th, 2012  .  4 Comments

Adolescents are at risk for many negative behaviors and consequences. Additionally, adolescence presents a time during which children begin to search for their identities. This pursuit often leads children to seek acceptance, and can result in peer pressure, peer influences, and peer victimization. Teens are vulnerable to victimization in many forms, including relational victimization, homophobic victimization, physical and verbal aggression, and even sexual harassment.... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Redondo Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Why Do Women Report Higher Rates of PTSD Than Men?

October 31st, 2012  .  6 Comments

Men and women are equally vulnerable to factors that can lead to posttraumatic stress (PTSD), such as child abuse, sexual abuse, maltreatment, violence, and natural disasters. However, women report far more cases of PTSD than men and tend to have longer symptom duration. Some speculation regarding this unique dynamic has hinted toward a higher vulnerability to symptoms of PTSD in women. Other factors that... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Culver City Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

New Program Helps Sexual Abuse Survivors with HIV/AIDS

October 22nd, 2012  .  8 Comments

A disproportionately high number of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors have HIV/AIDS. It is well established that survivors of CSA are at risk for numerous negative physical and mental health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicide, substance misuse, relationship and intimacy issues, and risky sexual behavior. Many people with a history of CSA have difficulty... Read More

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Lake Oswego Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

The Therapeutic Relationship: a Blueprint

October 22nd, 2012  .  5 Comments

As therapists, we take journeys with our clients. We embark on long trips to uncover and discover the past and imagine possible futures. In the case of people who have been victims of childhood sexual abuse, this journey is especially difficult. Survivors entering into the therapeutic process feel profoundly damaged. They often come with little hope and a lot of shame. They desperately seek a connection... Read More

Bystanders to Violence: The Child Witness

October 18th, 2012  .  14 Comments

Last month, we talked about violence—bullies, victims, and bystanders. I wrote: “What happens to the bystander? The bystander takes in a portion of this poison too, whether or not he chooses to help, and if he hasn’t helped he has to bear the added guilt of not having come to someone’s aid.” In the comments section... Read More

Part I: The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Mental Health

October 12th, 2012  .  4 Comments

Editor’s note: This is the first of two articles exploring intimate partner violence. On Oct. 19, we will address the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship. As we near the midpoint of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the statistics for intimate partner violence are haunting. President Barack Obama recently noted that about three women die each day in the United States at the hands of domestic... Read More