[DV5] Domestic Violence and Child Custody

This course meets the qualifications for 4 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; course presenter, John Hamel, is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education to LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs (#71799).  John Hamel maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.  Also approved for 4 MCLE credits by the State Bar of California (Provider Number 13335)

Course Fee:  $95.00    Instructor:  John Hamel, LCSW

This online course provides mental health professionals and family law judges, mediators and attorneys reliable, up-to-date information about the characteristics, causes and consequences of domestic violence, and examines why family law professionals do not always act in the best interests of children. Approved by the State Bar of California for 4 MCLE credits.  The final post-test consists of 40 questions.

Learning Objectives.  At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1.Become familiar with the social science literature on intimate partner violence.
2.Become familiar with the social science literature on domestic violence in child custody cases.
3.Understand the implications of this research for improving the family court response to domestic violence

Cancellation Policy:  A participant who has registered and paid for the online course is entitled to a full refund up to 7 days following payment of the registration fee, provided that he/she has not completed any of the lessons or quizzes. The participant must request this refund in writing, and submit this request via e-mail to the course presenter, John Hamel, at johnmhamel@comcast.net. A participant who has completed any of the lessons, but did not complete the final post-test and did not receive a certificate, is entitled to a refund equal to 25% of the registration fee. If he/she sends a written request via e-mail to the course presenter. No administrative fee will be charged for any requests. All refunds will be issued within 7 business days of receipt.

ADA compliance:  All online courses are accessible to persons with disabilities and ADA compliant. If you have a special need and plan to take any course, please contact John Hamel, LCSW.  Please allow as much advance notice as is possible to ensure we have ample opportunity to meet your needs.

NOTE:  The most recent research on this topic can be found online, as part of the updated Partner Abuse State of Knowledge Project, at www.domesticviolenceresearch.org

Full Course Syllabus:

Lesson One

• Topic 1            Introduction
• Topic 2            Findings from the child custody literature
• Topic 3            Parental alienation
• Quiz

Lesson Two

• Topic 4            Misinformation about partner violence
• Topic 5            Physical abuse
• Topic 6            Non-physical abuse and control
• Quiz

Lesson Three

• Topic 7            The role of patriarchy
• Topic 8            Risk factors and motivation
• Quiz

Lesson Four

• Topic 9            Impact on victims
• Topic 10          Impact on children and families
• Topic 11          Recommendations
• Quiz
• Topic 12          References

Post-test