ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on an activity designed for clients who find themselves in an abusive relationship and want to leave their partners. The goal of the activity is to provide initial tools to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) clients increase safety and gain greater understanding of abusive relationship patterns that are found in intimate relationships and those that are specific to same-sex relationships. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a wide-ranging problem in the United States, and LGBTQ communities are not immune. Prevalence of IPV among sexual minorities was found to be similar to or higher than that of heterosexual women. Counselors working with clients in IPV relationships in general, and from an LGBTQ background specifically, need to obtain crucial knowledge and skills. For example, counselors should have a working knowledge of processes involved in traumatic bonding and the Stockholm syndrome. Counselors should also understand and accept that survivors of IPV frequently return to the abusive partner.
