SCREENING FOR PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IN COUPLE THERAPY - METHODOLOGICAL, PRACTICAL, AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Over two-thirds of clients in family therapy clinics engage in some fo rm of physical violence against their partners within the year prior t o the initiation of therapy. However, family therapists are aware of o nly a small proportion of these cases. The purpose of this article is to enhance the ability of family therapists to detect marital violence . We examine client and therapist reasons for why physical violence is not detected. We then review various methods to screen for the presen ce of physical violence, especially the Conflict Tactics Scales. Final ly, indicators of life threatening violence are presented to help fami ly therapists detect cases that require immediate intervention to prot ect the partner whose life may be in danger.