IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Domestic Violence Through the Survivor Lens:
A Clinical Workshop for Therapists
Program Overview
Therapists working with survivors of domestic violence often encounter behaviors, decisions, and relationship dynamics that can be difficult to fully understand through clinical training alone.
This workshop introduces clinicians to the survivor lens—a framework grounded in lived experience that helps illuminate the realities survivors face while navigating abuse or attempting to leave abusive relationships.
By exploring these dynamics through the survivor perspective, therapists gain deeper insight into the experiences their clients bring into the therapy room, helping them better understand client behavior, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and support safer, more effective outcomes.
Training Format
Half-Day Clinical Training (3-4 hours).
-
The session includes approximately 3 hours of presentation supported by discussion and guided reflection, plus an optional extended Q&A.
-
Participants receive printed materials designed to support note-taking and continued reflection after the training.
What Clinicians Will Learn
This session explores several key areas, including:
• Understanding coercive control through the survivor perspective
• Common clinical assumptions about why survivors stay
• Six lived realities therapists frequently encounter when working with survivors
• Recognizing patterns that may not be immediately visible in session
• Supporting survivor autonomy and safety within the therapeutic relationship
The training is designed to be both informational and discussion-based, allowing clinicians to ask questions and explore real-world clinical scenarios.
Availability
-
In-person training available for therapy practices and clinical teams.
Ideal for clinical teams of approximately 5–15 participants.
-
To accommodate clinical schedules, workshops may be booked during standard business hours, evenings, or Saturday mornings.
About the Instructor
Shelli Manning is the founder of DV Out Loud and the author of Little Fish, a memoir exploring the lived realities of teenage domestic violence. Her work focuses on helping clinicians better understand the complex dynamics survivors experience inside abusive relationships.