Domestic and family violence (DFV) encompasses a range of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviours by one person towards another in a domestic or family relationship. It is not limited to physical violence — psychological harm is often the most enduring (Council of Australian Governments, 2011).
Forms of domestic and family violence include:
Experiencing domestic violence can produce a range of psychological effects:
Trauma responses:
Mood and anxiety:
Approximately one in six Australian women and one in sixteen men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). The psychological effects often persist long after the violence has ended.
Domestic violence causes trauma — not weakness. The psychological effects of sustained abuse — including coercive control — are real, significant, and require specialised trauma-informed care (Herman, 1992).
Effective psychological treatment for DFV survivors addresses:
Trauma-focused psychological treatment produces significant improvements in PTSD, depression, and quality of life for DFV survivors (Trevillion et al., 2012).
Our psychologists use trauma-informed approaches specifically suited to DFV presentations:
Processes traumatic memories and addresses the beliefs and avoidance behaviours that maintain PTSD symptoms. TF-CBT has strong evidence for trauma including interpersonal violence (Watkins et al., 2018). Sessions are structured, skills-based, and always paced to your readiness.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing reduces the distress associated with traumatic memories through a structured, evidence-based protocol. Recommended by the WHO for PTSD and widely used for complex interpersonal trauma (World Health Organization, 2013).
Builds psychological flexibility — the ability to move forward with valued living despite the presence of trauma-related thoughts and feelings. Particularly useful for survivors working on rebuilding their life and sense of self after leaving a violent relationship.
Addresses the deep-seated beliefs about self and relationships that can develop from prolonged abuse — such as ‘I deserve this’, ‘I am not safe’, or ‘I cannot trust anyone’. Particularly effective for complex trauma from childhood or long-term relationship abuse.
All treatment is trauma-informed — your safety, autonomy, and pace are central to how we work.
Your first appointment is a confidential, safe space to share your situation at your own pace. You do not need to describe every detail of what happened — we work at the speed that feels right for you.
Safety planning is integrated into our work from the beginning. If you are still in the relationship or recently separated, we prioritise practical safety alongside psychological support.
We are experienced in writing letters for family law proceedings, VCAT applications, and support in navigating the legal system.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
What happened to you was not your fault. Healing is possible — and you deserve support that takes your experience seriously.
Our psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches across many presentations. Browse our full directory of conditions and therapies we work with.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia 2023. AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/domestic-violence/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/contents/summary
Council of Australian Governments. (2011). National plan to reduce violence against women and their children 2010–2022. Commonwealth of Australia.
Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence — from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.
Trevillion, K., Oram, S., Feder, G., & Howard, L. M. (2012). Experiences of domestic violence and mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 7(12), e51740. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051740
Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating PTSD: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258
World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress. WHO Press.
