While there has been some improvement in the ability of mental health providers to assess for intimate partner violence (IPV), there is evidence that many providers continue to underestimate lethality levels and to provide interventions that do not mitigate and may at times increase risks to the victim and other family members. Further evidence supports the notion that this inability to assess and intervene in an optimal manner is likely due to the lack of formal IPV-related training. The present study explores the amount of IPV education that doctoral level students in APA-accredited clinical and counseling psychology programs currently receive. In order to do this, a survey patterned after the one utilized by Champion, Shipman, Bonner, Hensley, & Howe (2003) was sent to 243 APA-accredited programs asking for information on courses offered in IPV, as well as for IPV-related clinical rotations and available research experiences. The findings were then compared to the Champion et al. results that examined the amount of training exposure that doctoral programs offer in the area of child maltreatment.

The present survey found that little specific training in IPV is currently provided in doctoral programs throughout the United States within the classroom or in practicum settings. A further comparison of the present findings and Champion et al.'s (2003) results revealed few significant differences between training currently offered in child maltreatment and in IPV, with child maltreatment issues covered more often in both ethics and child psychopathology courses that IPV. Child maltreatment issues were also more prominent within residential treatment rotations.