The experience of providing therapy services to victims of domestic violence: A case study false Hall, Gayle Capella University, UMI Dissertations Publishing, 2010. 3428156. Abstract Previous research indicated that very little was known to those outside of this field of interest about what it was like to work in therapy with victims and survivors of domestic violence from psychologists or therapists. Domestic violence is the major cause of injury to women between the ages of 15-44. Many professionals are unaware of the emotional and psychological factors involved with domestic violence; however, they may recognize the physical signs of abuse. Therapists who provide therapy services to victims and survivors of domestic violence each have their own unique experiences from working with this population. Previous studies indicated biases, incorrect assessment procedures during intake, lack of training in recognizing domestic violence, and overall lack of knowledge about domestic violence, as part of the major problems facing therapists in their practices today. This qualitative inquiry studied eight licensed therapists who work for two women's domestic violence service providers in a large urban area in a southwestern state. Stake's collective case study model was employed to investigate the therapists through in-depth interviews during private, individual meetings. Within-case and cross-case analysis was performed using a thematic analysis in order to identify five themes. The themes that emerged from this study included (a) the therapists' basic experiences, (b) certain qualities of therapists, (c) secondary trauma for therapists, (d) value systems, and (e) skills used to comfort victims. This research indicated qualified therapists can recognize and treat victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, these victims should never be placed in marriage counseling together with their spouse so long as there is abuse in their relationship, since this could cause imminent harm. The moment they leave the therapist's session, the victims are "going to pay for what they said," as stated by one of the participants, by being abused more than they were before they went to marriage counseling. The qualitative evidence from this study confirmed experienced therapists are best suited to work in therapy with victims of domestic violence. Key words Health and environmental sciences, Social sciences, Psychology, Domestic violence, Violence survivors, Victims Hall, Gayle 2010 Capella University , School of Psychology ,United States , Minnesota http://search.proquest.com/docview/816338036?accountid=32095