This book discusses relationships where one person dominates and intimidates another in an abusive process called, coercive control. Coercive control is a special kind of torment because it happens within a relationship of strong personal bonds, hopes, and dreams. Coercive control continues over a period of months, years, or decades—unlike a one-time assault by a stranger. Coercive control wears down a victim’s autonomy and sense of well-being over time. This book is designed to assist all people who are controlled by their partners, whatever their culture, age, gender or sexual orientation.

This book is divided into four broad parts. Part 1 describes coercive control, the ways it shows up in some couples, and how it affects victims. Part 2 seeks to explain why some people use coercive control against their partners, and why it is difficult to break free. Part 3 discusses coercive control of LGBT people, heterosexual men, and teenagers. Part 4 offers strategies and advice for ending coercive control.

(Amended from book: Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship)

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• Present in lectures or in clinical settings the dynamics of 'Coercive Control'. Participants will be able to list the behaviors of 'Coercive Control'.
• In clinical settings, therapists will be able to tease out the behaviors indicative of 'Coercive Control' and to what degree, and help the client address the issue with his or her partner.
• Clinicians will be able to address broader themes such as 'passive control' and specific behaviors such as 'isolating a partner' or 'micromanaging'.
• Therapists will be able to use the book's 'Controlling Relationship Assessment' to determine if a relationship is coercive and to what degree and if there are any safety concerns.
• Clinicians working with adolescents will be able to identify the symptoms of 'Coercive Control', e.g., pushing for isolation, stalking, possessiveness, acceptance by peer group.
• By completing this text clinicians will be in a position to analyze the potential for violence and how to direct the clients to secure assistance via medical help, police or domestic violence agencies.

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• This course is suitable for CE for beginning, intermediate and advanced level clinicians.
• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The printed book or ebook is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version of the test. Once the course is purchased, the title of the book will appear in your Members Area. When the cursor is placed on the book title a drop down menu will appear whereby you can print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Rethinking Narcissism: The Bad and Surprising Good about Feeling Special
  by Craig Malkin, PhD: 7 CE Credits
• The Gift of Therapy
  by Irvin Yalom: 10 CE Credits
• Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life
  Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD: 12 CE Credits
• The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know (2nd Edition)
  David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D.: 15 CE Credits
• Flourish: A New Understanding of Well-being
  by Martin E.P. Seligman: 13 CE Credits
• Emotion-Focused Therapy
  by Leslie S. Greenberg, PhD: 6 CE Credits
• ACT Made Simple: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  by Russ Harris, MD: 11 CE Credits
• DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd Edition)
  by Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP: 16 CE Credits
• The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction: A Guide to Coping with the Grief, Stress, and Anger that Trigger Addictive Behaviors
  by Rebecca Williams, PhD and Julie Kraft MA, LMFT: 7 CE Credits
• On Becoming a Better Therapist: Evidence-Based Practice One Client at a Time (2nd Edition)
  by Barry L. Duncan: 10 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• American Psychological Association
• Association of Social Work Boards
• National Association of Certified Counselors
• National Association of Addiction Professionals

Bio: Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD

Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD, has a doctorate in counseling psychology and has worked in the areas of child abuse, violence against women, and challenging family issues for over 25 years. A professor, researcher, and popular conference speaker, she teaches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She survived a relationship that included coercive control and stalking. Her website is www.lisafontes.com.

Dr. Fontes has dedicated two decades to making the mental health, social service, and criminal justice systems more responsive to culturally diverse people. In addition to her new book, Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship, she has authored, Interviewing Clients Across Cultures: A Practitioner's Guide and the book, Child Abuse and Culture: Working with Diverse Families.

She has written numerous journal articles and chapters on child maltreatment and violence against women, cross-cultural research, and ethics. She teaches at the University Without Walls at the University of Massachusetts. She has worked as a family, individual, and group psychotherapist, and has conducted research in Santiago, Chile, and with Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and European Americans in the United States. Dr. Fontes is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. She is a popular conference speaker and workshop facilitator. She completed a Fulbright Foundation Grant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a volunteer, Dr. Fontes worked for three years with Somali refugees in Springfield, Massachusetts.