There are three separate disciplines in which mental health professionals train in the state of Florida to work with clients facing domestic violence. These are clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. In addition, there are three separate accrediting bodies regulating the programs from which graduate training is taught, as well as three separate licenses in the state of Florida, under Chapter 491.004 for these mental health professionals to obtain: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). This research study surveyed Florida licensed mental health professionals to determine their perceived level of competency in assessing and treating domestic violence.

An E-mail survey was distributed to over 8,000 licensed professionals, under Chapter 491.004, in the state of Florida. Research findings failed to show a significant relationship between graduate coursework and practicum/internship training and level of perceived competency when assessing and treating domestic violence. However, research findings did show a significant relationship between postgraduate clinical contact experience, as well as self-initiated learning and perceived level of competency when assessing and treating domestic violence. Furthermore, study results found no significant relationship between discipline (clinical social work, marriage and family therapy and mental health counseling) and perceived level competency when assessing and treating domestic violence, meaning one discipline over another did not report a higher level of perceived competency.

Given the findings of this research study, educational policy makers and accrediting bodies should consider evaluating current curriculum requirements for mental health professionals in training, in the area of domestic violence. In addition, licensure boards should consider evaluating licensure requirements as well as continuing education requirements in the area of domestic violence. Implications of this research study suggest improvements to graduate curriculum, as well as graduate clinical training are needed in order to increase levels of competency in assessing and treating domestic violence, among Florida licensed mental health professionals.