| attered Women’s Movement and Clinical | | | | the bequest of their perpetrators. And over the |
| Psychology are as far apart as the North and South | | | | years, actually decades, they became the enemies of |
| Pole. Yet, many people outside of these circles | | | | battered women. |
| disciplines believe domestic abuse | | | | I have since learned that this is understandably so, |
| treatment—and advocacy—are | | | | especially for women residing in domestic violence |
| sub-specialties of the practice of psychology. Not at | | | | shelters. It is estimated that roughly 95% of women |
| all so! | | | | going through the abuse shelter system will be |
| After I fled from the danger I lived in Chicago, I | | | | “certified” (i.e. blessed with a |
| retreated into a life of solace and wrote All But My | | | | psychiatric diagnosis) by virtue of their navigating the |
| Soul: Abuse Beyond Control. Creating that publication | | | | mental health care system—while in route to |
| was the most amazing experience of my | | | | safety—as a survivor of domestic violence. |
| life—right up there with the birth of a child. It | | | | This truly disturbed me, as a practicing psychologist |
| was my fourth child. | | | | and domestic abuse survivor. Even more disturbing |
| With the enthusiasm of a child, I approached | | | | was the fact that I could find little to no domestic |
| individuals in the domestic violence arena, eager to | | | | violence curricula offered in psychological training. |
| share what I had learned and produced in the | | | | In no way am I suggesting that one not seek the |
| manuscript. Initially, I was not received well and | | | | services of domestic abuse advocacy; to the |
| couldn’t understand why, until an individual | | | | contrary. I strongly believe in the work of domestic |
| from the inner circle of the Battered | | | | abuse advocates. However, I recognize that when |
| Women’s Movement shared the inside politics | | | | utilizing domestic abuse advocacy, one must be |
| with me. | | | | mindful of the importance of also securing the |
| “You will have a hard time breaking into this | | | | expertise of a mental health professional, authentically |
| line of work," she said, "because you are a | | | | knowledgeable in domestic violence. |
| psychologist.” Funny thing is I thought this | | | | The front line treatment for domestic violence and |
| was my asset, until she helped me realized it was my | | | | the actual practice of professional psychology are |
| liability among battered women. | | | | truly as far apart as the automotive industry and the |
| She explained that historically the psychologists were | | | | practice of dentistry. I vowed to commit myself to |
| used in re-victimizing survivors of domestic abuse at | | | | helping bridge this huge knowledge and service gap. |