Working with Domestic Violence and Coercive Control in Clinical Practice

"Working with domestic violence and coercive control in clinical practice, by Saira Khan, Mou Sultana, and Katy Lord, reflects the modern position that interactions between people in family systems are the foundation for good relationships as well as for conflicts. Oversimplified views of both marital and parent-child processes can be tempting but are usually wrong. Khan, Sultana, and Lord lay out family clinical issues in all their complexity and update readers on concepts like coercive control, providing a highly informative and concise view of a broad area of interest."

Dr Jean Mercer, Professor Emerita of Psychology at Stockton University

"This important book fills a critical gap in supporting a deep understanding of coercive control from an intersectional, trauma-informed perspective. It integrates ecological frameworks with practical clinical guidance, offering psychologists essential tools to recognise and respond to the complex dynamics of domestic abuse."

Nic Douglas is the European Regional Manager at the Safe & Together Institute. Her 21 years’ experience in the domestic abuse field has spanned front-line service delivery, project management, and systems change work with national, European, and international reach.

"In this collection of essays, Dr Saira Khan and colleagues compose a vital intervention in supporting practising psychologists to engage with families impacted by domestic abuse. Putting coercive control at the heart of the analysis and exploring the help that victims-survivors need, its counsel is rich in analytical insight. One of the key features of the book is how it explicitly places domestic abuse in a 'socio-ecological' lens, capturing how abuse may operate on multiple levels and gain support from numerous societal norms. Given the subtleties and hidden elements encountered when navigating this terrain, the profession requires a sophisticated manual, and this book is precisely that. Every practising psychologist should have a copy and keep it close at hand." -

Dr Emma Katz, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Edge Hill University.

"A powerful and well-researched exploration of the profound impact domestic abuse has on the lives of victims/survivors. It is an essential read for students and professionals working directly with survivors and those whose roles intersect with the broader field of violence against women and girls. The authors skilfully combine an extensive body of research with clinical expertise and the voices of survivors to create a compelling, informative, and accessible resource. The book highlights the critical role of practitioner knowledge in building meaningful, trauma-informed relationships that support recovery. It offers valuable insights into the systemic dynamics of domestic abuse, with a particular focus on coercive control, making it a vital contribution to the field."

Roxana Parra Sepúlveda, MBACP (accred) MBPsS, Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor.

"What Dr Khan and colleagues have written is a much-needed resource. While it addresses difficult material, it does so with a sense of hope and a clear advocacy for centring the voices and wisdom of survivors and victims. The book recognises the multifaceted, nuanced, and complex realities of domestic violence and abuse, and highlights the importance of an intersectional lens that engages all parts of society. As a therapist primarily supporting LGBTQ+ clients, I have found the insights within this text invaluable in strengthening my ability to support a community that is often underrepresented.”

Ed Sammons, DBT Therapist, Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor.