Addressing Domestic Abuse

The National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence has published daunting statistics that suggest that a high number of women are involved in or have been involved in a domestic violence relationship:

Over 500,00 women are stalked by an intimate partner each year;

5.3 million women are abused each year;

1,232 women are killed each year by an intimate partner;

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to Women;

Women are more likely to be attacked by someone they know rather than by a stranger.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, often times the signs of domestic violence are overlooked or minimized, especially if the abuse is psychological rather than physical. According to the Institute for Domestic Violence there are signs in that help women identify if they are in a domestic violence or abusive relationship: 

• Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner;

• Go along with everything their partner says and does;

• Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing;

• Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner;

• Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness.

Warning signs of physical violence:

People who are being physically abused may:

• Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents.”

• Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation.

• Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors).

Warning signs of isolation:

People who are being isolated by their abuser may:

• Be restricted from seeing family and friends;

• Rarely go out in public without their partner;

• Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car.

 Psychological Warning Signs:

People who are experiencing psychological abuse from their partner may exhibit some of these signs:

• Have very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident;

• Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing woman becomes withdrawn);

• Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal.

If someone you know is involved in a domestic violence or abusive relationship, do not wait for that that person to come to you for help. Express concern for that person without placing judge or blame. Listen and validate her concerns without putting pressure on her to make life changing decisions about her life immediately. Offer help and support to her. However, if the situation in which the women is involved becomes emergent, call 911 immediately.

If you believe that you are in a domestic violence or abusive relationship, there

are organizations that can help you:

1736 Family Crisis Center: (310) 379-3620;

Good Shepard Shelter: (323) 737-6111;

Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter: (562) 945-3937;

Jewish Family Service: (818) 787-7581;

Sojurn Services for Battered Women: (310) 264-6646

 reference: http://nidv.org.

 Therese L. Schmoll, M.A., LMFT, MFC50082

About Therese L. Schmoll, M.A., LMFT, MFC50082

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy and maintain a private practice in Beverly Hills, California.

With over twenty years experience working in the mental health/human services field, and as a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Education and Psychology specializing in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, I am currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are depression, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, grief and loss, trauma, relationship, pre-marital, divorce, family and couples issues. 



In addition to helping my clients in my private practice, I teach undergraduate human service classes and graduate mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy classes through the University of Phoenix.  Further, I supervise MFT Trainees and Interns for  Outreach Concern as well as provide individual clinical consultation to  interns. Also, I served as a crisis line counselor and advocate for Los Angeles Commission Against Sexual Assault of Women and Sojurn Services for Battered Women and Their Children.

 I offer psychodynamic, cognitive- behavioral, family systems and post-modern therapy to my clients. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.  I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.