Email us: info@dactari.co.uk
Domestic Abuse Counselling Training
Our Domestic Abuse Counsellor Training Foundation Programme runs for 4 full days, is delivered online over a two-week period, and is led by Dr Jeannette Roddy. The course is designed to cover the knowledge and skills required to start working with domestic abuse clients. It is run as a cohort of up to 12 trainees and each course will close for booking once those places are taken. We find that teaching a group that stays together for the course helps to expand learning, build confidence, and create a community for trainees after the training. For this reason, please do check that you can make each of the training days as non-attendance not only affects your learning, but also the learning of the group.
Over the four days, we will cover theory and practice (including case studies, role play and skills) to help you to understand the experience of the client, the needs of the client, and the areas of practice to be most aware of when working with people who have experienced abuse. This is not just learning about the theory, but learning how to apply the theory in a real world scenario. Many of our trainees have observed that the training not only supports domestic abuse work, but also enhances their work with other client groups as well.
The next course will take place on the 2nd, 5th, 9th and 12th of February 2026. The course is now open for bookings. Early bird pricing of £350 is available until the 8th January 2026, when the price will rise to £500.
If you would like to fInd out more about the course and also meet Jeannette to ask any questions you might have, you can book onto our free one hour session held on Zoom, The session will take place at 1pm on Thursday, 4th December. Please book your place by clicking the link below.
What previous participants have said about the Foundation Course in Domestic Abuse Counselling
"Highly recommend this training, the content was really good, ideal for anyone that has some or no knowledge of Domestic Abuse (DA). Some really useful techniques to use with clients, this course also gives you a good understanding of the personal impact DA and the importance of looking after yourself. This is my second course with Dactari and I will be booking on more."
"The Foundation Course in Domestic Abuse Counselling covers the complex nature of domestic abuse and explores and informs of the essential skills and knowledge a counsellor needs to be able to work ethically and safely with domestic abuse clients. I would highly recommend the course."
"Coming from a CBT training background, I felt trauma and domestic abuse were glossed over. Attending this course has been the missing piece for me. On completion of the course I left feeling fully informed and empowered to best support my clients through their journey of recovery."
"Outstanding training from Jeannette and Dactari. Jeannette is hugely knowledgeable and is able to share the knowledge of a subject matter that can prove difficult and emotive with participants in a way that supports their development and learning. A valuable recognition of the importance of self care throughout the course and future careers in supporting clients who have experienced domestic abuse."
"I attended this course to gain knowledge and support in my work in trauma and in my new role in Domestic Abuse particularly. It fulfilled all my expectations and gave me tools and confidence to provide a supportive and reflective support for all my clients. Thank you."
"This is a fantastic course . Whether you are embarking on a journey specialising in domestic abuse counselling or you just want to affirm and enhance your current practice, I would say this course is essential and would recommend it as the course to have undertaken. It is a wonderful unforgettable experience.
"I found the Foundation Course in Domestic Abuse Counselling to be an excellent training. Whilst the content can be challenging at times, I felt considerable thought had been given to the structure of each day which allowed time to reflect individually and within the group. Jeannette, and her colleagues, brought a depth of knowledge, experience and insight to the training that has both inspired and encouraged me. The mix of lectures and skills practice was particularly helpful to me in consolidating my learning. I would thoroughly recommend this course to fellow professionals."
"Wonderful training for anyone working with or interested in working with this client group - hugely beneficial for both trainee and qualified counsellors, truly worthwhile. An abundance of applicable knowledge, skills, techniques and practice are packed into the four-days, with a focus on both professional and personal development. A thoroughly enjoyable experience - I only wish it was longer and I had been able to do it sooner. A refreshing non-gender, compassionate and empathic perspective to understanding client experiences of DA."
"This course was a wonderful learning experience with new valuable skills acquired. Explanations of theory, procedures and actions were done in an informative way without any complications or jargon. The group size was ideal with very worthwhile role plays and case studies. It was, for me, the best specialised course I have been on. Would recommend to everyone."
During the Foundation Training Programme you will learn:
-
What domestic abuse is and how prevalent it is across society
-
What the DAC model is and how to use it
-
Why clients can experience significant mental health difficulties after domestic abuse
-
What effect domestic abuse can have on other relationships
-
What clients need initially in therapy
-
The skills required to help the client to settle down to process their experiences
-
How to repair any relational ruptures that may occur in within counselling
-
How to pick up on unconscious processes that can happen during therapy and work with them
-
How people protect themselves during abuse and why that can be unhelpful if continued post-abuse
-
Ways to challenge clients in a constructive, positive and helpful way
-
What complex trauma is and how it can be worked with during counselling, safely and creatively
-
How domestic abuse affects different people in different ways and what that means for us in our responses to them
-
The impact of childhood domestic abuse on adults and the therapeutic relationship
-
Confidentiality, boundaries and disclosure in complex situations
-
Notes and court processes
-
The importance of counsellors self-care
-
Whether domestic abuse counselling is for you