How can clinicians provide trauma-informed care for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors’ mental health?
Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) often experience negative health consequences, including struggles with mental health. Therefore, it is essential to implement intimate partner violence screening and counselling safely and effectively in the healthcare system.
The American Psychiatric Association suggests the following framework:
- Providing a safety assessment – One of the vital roles of healthcare providers is to examine the safety of survivors and develop a plan that ensures their immediate safety
- Using mindful language – ask questions in ways that are empathetic and non-judgmental, being mindful of the language being used
- Collaboration in a diverse team – consider who else the survivor will benefit in connecting with, which can include a psychotherapist, social worker, physicians, nurses and more
Examples of Mindful Language
| Deficit-Based Language (To be Avoided) | Strength-Based Language (To Use Instead) |
| Domestic dispute, crime of passion, anger issues, wife beating | Intimate partner violence |
| “Why didn’t you just leave”, “You chose to stay.” | “What were the reasons you felt you couldn’t leave?”, “What gave you the courage to leave?” |
| Victim, Battered Woman | Survivor: Person who has experienced IPV regardless of their gender |
Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2019). Treating women who have experienced intimate partner violence.
