Find a Mental Health Professional for Domestic & Family Violence

About Domestic & Family Violence support

Domestic and family violence (DFV) includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse within intimate or family relationships. It also includes coercive control, which involves patterns of behaviour designed to monitor, isolate, and dominate a partner or family member. DFV can affect people of any age, gender, cultural background, or relationship type, though women and children experience a disproportionate impact. Leaving a relationship is rarely simple, and the period of leaving can carry its own risks. Mental health support for people who have experienced DFV covers a range of needs, including managing trauma symptoms, rebuilding self-worth and identity, developing safety plans, processing grief and loss, and navigating practical challenges. Trauma-informed counselling and therapy can be provided alongside legal, housing, and financial support through specialist DFV services. In Australia, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) provides 24/7 confidential counselling and referral. DVConnect, inTouch, and Relationships Australia also offer specialist support in various states and territories. Legal Aid, housing services, and community organisations form part of an integrated response. Safety planning is an important part of any support provided, and practitioners in this space are trained to respond in ways that do not increase risk.