Therapist's Guide to Clinical Intervention - Sigmund Freud

6. Victim symptom presentation
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
C. Sleep disorder
D. Eating disorder
E. Substance abuse disorder
F. Somatization disorder
G. Panic attacks
H. Hypervigilance
I. Intrusive thoughts
J. Suicidality
Housekamp and Foy (1991) stated that most symptoms are PTSD related. As a result, one or
more of the preceding symptoms/disorders would be a common presentation. Additionally,
be aware of a misdiagnosis of borderline or histrionic personality disorder. According to
Root (1992), the development of personality disorder symptoms are a normal reaction to
abnormal situations, and the condition may have developed as a coping mechanism.
Once DV has been identified, then assessment regarding the level of risk can be made.
Assessment instruments include (but are not limited to) the following:
1. Dangerousness Assessment (Campbell, 1995)
2. Dominance Scale (Hamby, 1995)
3. Propensity for Abusiveness Scale (Dutton, 1995)
4. Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (Tolman, 1989)
5. Relationship Conflict Inventory (Bodin, 1996)
6. Risk checklist/Psychological Violence Inventory (Sonkin, 2000)
7. Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) (Kropp & Hart, 1997)
8. Women's Experience with Battering (Smith, Earp, & DeVillis, 1995)
* Assessment for children: See Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) (Briere,
1996).
INTERVENTION CATEGORIES
1. Crisis intervention
A. Resolution of immediate threats
B. Resolution of other issues that may impair safety
C. Identification of resources (medical, legal, community, social)
D. Facilitation of access to resources
E. Minimizing or eliminating dangerousness
F. Development and implementation of a safety plan
2. Intervention for victims
A. Immediate or short-term objectives
1. Identify impact of violence and abuse
2. Promote personal sense of empowerment
B. Emphasis on long-term adjustment
1. Resolution of emotional/psychological difficulties
Assessing for Domestic Violence 193