Lisa Conradi

An Exploratory Study of Women as Dominant Aggressors of Physical Violence in Their Intimate Relationships

In the last 20 years, research has emerged that suggests that women may be violent in intimate relationships. This article describes a qualitative study focusing on women who were classified as dominant aggressors of violence in their intimate relationships. Ten subjects participated in a detailed clinical interview and completed five written measures to examine the factors that led to their later aggression, including sociocultural factors, history of trauma, gender role identification, and intergenerational transmission of violence. Seven major themes emerged, including a history of victimization and trauma, substance abuse, and a history of violence across relationships and situations. These results suggest that the violence committed by dominantly aggressive women may be explained by an integrated conceptual framework of domestic violence.

Assessing the Effects of Trauma in Children and Adolescents in Practice Settings

Assessment is a critical part of understanding and addressing the needs of children and adolescents exposed to trauma. A comprehensive approach to assessment that measures a range of traumatic exposures and domains of impact and uses multiple informants and techniques over time is needed to best capture the complexity of needs and presentations of traumatized youth. This approach provides a pathway to effective treatment planning. The purpose of this article is to offer a comprehensive overview of the assessment of childhood trauma, with a focus on specific tools and techniques, and the use of assessment information in practice settings.

Conducting Child Custody Evaluations in the Context of Family Violence Allegations: Practical Techniques and Suggestions for Ethical Practice

A review of the literature (i.e., Austin, 2001) and the daily practice of conducting child custody evaluations has revealed that there is an inadequacy assessing and incorporating family violence issues, including both partner and child abuse, into the context of a child custody evaluation when such allegations occur. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges has published attempts to address the lack of adequate assessments in family violence cases (e.g., Dalton, Drozd, & Wong, 2006), however more needs to be done. The current article discusses the existing approaches in conducting child custody evaluations when family violence is alleged and provides suggestions and practical techniques for adequately considering these issues in an evaluation. The various assessment and interview techniques that can be utilized in these complex custody evaluations are presented. The techniques discussed should aid child custody evaluators, attorneys, and judges in dealing with these complex cases, such that proper techniques can be followed to arrive at appropriate recommendations. If an evaluator conducts a child custody evaluation in a case where there are allegations of family violence but does not have specific training or expertise in this area, ethical concerns and questions arise.

Introduction to Part I of the Special Issue on Female Offenders of Intimate Partner Violence

There are many controversies surrounding womens use of violence in their intimate relationships. This special issue is part one of a two part volume that critically examines the prevalence studies on female offenders of intimate partner violence and addresses the gaps in current research. The six articles contained in this issue provide a description of the controversies surrounding female offenders, and introduces some research examining the role of gender and ethnicity in intimate partner violence.

A Clinician’s Perspective on the Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP) Model: A Case Study of One Clinician’s Use of the TAP Model

A variety of interventions have become available in recent years to treat child trauma. The plethora of available protocols can be overwhelming to clinicians, supervisors, and agencies trying to integrate evidence-based treatments into their daily practice. Assessment-Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: A Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP; Taylor, Gilbert, Mann, & Ryan, 2005) provides a framework to help clinicians, supervisors, and agencies assess, triage, and treat children who present with traumatic histories. The current article describes the model and presents a case study of 1 clinician who used TAP with 3 of her clients. Findings suggest that TAP shows promise in helping clinicians, supervisors, and mental health agencies meet the individual needs of each client in a trauma-informed manner.

Training the Child Welfare Workforce on Trauma-Informed Principles and Practices

This chapter provides an overview of the training efforts associated with the Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit (CWTTT). The CWTTT is a curriculum created by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Child Welfare Committee that was designed to provide critical trauma training for the child welfare workforce. The CWTTT is intended for child welfare workers, supervisors, and administrators, and highlights seven essential elements of a trauma-informed child welfare system. The chapter provides an outline of the CWTTT, staff qualifications to deliver the CWTTT, and implementation efforts related to the CWTTT. Data gathered from communities who have used the CWTTT is presented as well as application strategies for supporting CWTTT training are discussed.

Trauma-Informed Child Welfare: From Training to Practice and Policy Change

ABSTRACT Multiple child welfare systems and agencies have embraced efforts to become more trauma-informed in recent years. However, the field of trauma-informed care is still somewhat in its infancy and only recently has the focus shifted from theoretical concepts into concrete practices that can be identified, measured, evaluated, and sustained over time. One of the key resources designed to help support the development of a trauma-informed child welfare system is the Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit (CWTTT). The CWTTT was developed in 2008 as a collaborative process that included members of the Child Welfare Committee of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Originally, the CWTTT was developed as a training resource to support child welfare professionals in increasing their understanding regarding trauma and its impact on children. Over time, the CWTTT has undergone multiple iterations and has been involved in numerous state and county initiatives to support their efforts in becoming more trauma-informed. This article will provide historical context on the development of the CWTTT, detailing its evolution since 2007, followed by highlighting the current efforts and future directions of the CWTTT.