Overview
Strengthening Clinical Competence in Recognising and Responding to Partner Abuse
Working with clients affected by partner abuse demands a high level of clinical awareness, sensitivity, and informed responsiveness. This specialised webinar equips psychologists to confidently identify and navigate patterns of abuse, coercive control, and emotional harm—whether they arise in individual sessions or within couple dynamics.
In this training, you will learn to:
- Build a clear, evidence-informed understanding of emotional and psychological abuse
- Recognise early signs of abusive dynamics, even in the absence of explicit disclosure
- Respond ethically and thoughtfully in line with best-practice guidelines for both individual and couple contexts
- Integrate this knowledge into attachment-based and emotionally focused therapeutic approaches
- Whether your practice centres on individuals, couples, or a blend of both, this workshop provides the knowledge, practical tools, and therapeutic confidence needed to recognise abuse—and to intervene in ways that protect clients’ safety, wellbeing, and therapeutic outcomes.
Why this matters:
AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia now recommend competencies in recognising and responding to family violence as part of psychologists’ professional requirements. As far as we’re aware, this is the only current training specifically designed for psychologists that bridges deep clinical insight with relational and systemic practice.
What to expect:
This will be an engaging and experiential training that combines interactive teaching, discussion, case examples, self-assessment, reflection, and opportunities for questions.
Watch us discuss the webinar:
Reading the Room: Recognising Abuse Dynamics In Individual & Couple Therapy COMING IN MARCH 2026
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, you will be able to:
- Define and differentiate key concepts related to emotional and psychological abuse, including coercive control, gaslighting, and subtle relational harm.
- Identify early indicators of abuse within both individual and couple therapy sessions, even when clients have not disclosed concerns.
- Apply best-practice, ethically aligned interventions when abuse is suspected or confirmed.
- Navigate therapeutic boundaries and responsibilities when working with one or both partners in situations involving potential abuse.
- Integrate abuse-aware formulations into attachment-based and emotionally focused therapeutic models.
- Communicate sensitively and effectively with clients to validate experiences, explore dynamics, and minimise further harm.
- Increase clinical confidence in recognising, conceptualising, and responding to partner abuse in a way that prioritises client wellbeing and therapist safety.
Presenter(s)
Krasi Kirova and Katie Kjelsaas
About the presenter(s)
Krasi Kirova is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive knowledge and experience in family violence, coercive control, and complex trauma. She has worked across a range of settings, including private practice, university health services, and psychiatric inpatient care, where she co-facilitated trauma recovery groups. Krasi also regularly facilitates workshops for women navigating emotional abuse in relationships.
Dr Katie Kjelsaas is a Clinical Psychologist and ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor. She specialises in helping couples, families, and individuals deepen emotional understanding and strengthen connection. Katie is passionate about the creation and support of safe, thriving families and communities, and about integrating attachment science and trauma-informed principles into relational therapy and supervision.