What Is Domestic Violence?

Take our Anger Management Test

Find a therapist to heal from domestic violence

Abuse is not normal; it's a choice.

Before a person can have a good relationship, they must have a safe relationship.

Some therapists do not understand the harm of abuse because they are part of the society that normalizes it.

Years ago, while walking my dog in the park, I saw a man slap a woman so hard across the face that she stumbled backwards.

My dog and I stopped still in our tracks, and we stared at both of them until the most uncomfortable person (the man) turned away. I continued to stare, and as they drove away, I picked up a stick and scratched out his license plate number in the dirt on the side of the road.

As luck would have it, just then a park ranger drove by on his quad. I flagged him down and asked him to call the police. (This was before cell phones.) Minutes later, a squad car showed up, and the man was immediately put in custody and charged with domestic violence. He pled “not guilty” until I showed up in court.

A few days later, the victim called my office to pass along a “thank you” message. She sheepishly added that she, too, was a psychologist.

There are over 1 million mental health professionals in the United States.........

© Psychology Today