I’m in a battering relationship. Can we come in for marital therapy?
If you do not have an active criminal case relative to domestic violence, you are free to pursue whatever options you chose. If you go for Marriage Counseling and he or she become aware that you are in a domestic violence relationship, he or she must contact the local law enforcement and report the matter for an investigation.
Prior to making a decision, it is best to contact your local domestic violence shelter for advice.
Unfortunately, marital therapy can put the battered spouse in a precarious situation. The more open she or he is about the abuse, the more likely she or he will be abused as a consequence. For this reason, we do not encourage marital counseling for couples engaged in battering. Individual therapy is a safer alternative, along with referrals to specialized services offered by women’s shelters and others. We can also refer the battering partner to a treatment program for batterers.
