At Hart Centre, the safety and wellbeing of every client is our first priority. We recognise that domestic violence is complex, and that many people seek couples therapy as a genuine step toward change. Our approach is designed to support that – while ensuring the right foundations are in place to make that work safe and effective.
The same approach applies to family counselling where domestic violence is present or has been present. All families will be asked about domestic violence as part of the booking process, for the same reasons outlined above.
Family counselling sessions are not available online where domestic violence is present. All family members must first complete individual sessions with a Hart Centre DV-trained practitioner before any joint family work can begin. This requirement is firm and applies without exception.
As part of our booking process, all couples and families are asked whether domestic violence is present or has been present in their relationship. We understand this question can feel confronting, and we ask it with care – not judgement.
We ask because it directly shapes the type of support we’re able to offer, and because getting the therapeutic fit right from the start matters. Your honest answer allows us to ensure the right practitioner, the right format, and the right process is in place for both of you.
Our domestic violence policy is not applied on a case by case basis. It is a firm, consistent standard across all Hart Centre practitioners, and it exists because our ethical obligations and duty of care require it.
We understand that not everyone will agree with this approach, and we respect that. However, it is the policy that will be enacted – without exception.
Couples and family therapy is not available online where domestic violence is present or has been present in the relationship. Online environments cannot provide the level of safety, control, and clinical oversight required to conduct this work responsibly. All domestic violence-related therapy must be conducted in person.
Before any couples therapy can begin, both individuals must first complete individual sessions with a Hart Centre therapist who holds specialist domestic violence training. This is a firm requirement.
Individual sessions allow each person to be heard privately, establish safety, and ensure the right therapeutic framework is in place before any joint work begins. This step cannot be skipped or negotiated.
All therapy involving domestic violence at Hart Centre is conducted by Hart Certified practitioners with specialist DV training. This ensures every client is supported by someone with the skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding this work demands.
Hart Centre’s Great Match Guarantee / HartMatch Guarantee exists to ensure every client feels confident in their therapeutic fit. If a couple or family proceeds to booking and domestic violence is later disclosed – or comes to light having not been declared at the time of booking – the Great Match Guarantee may be voided.
This is not punitive. It exists because an incorrect or incomplete disclosure at the point of booking means we were unable to apply the right process from the start. We are not able to retrospectively honour the guarantee where the information provided did not allow us to do so.
If you are unsure whether your situation falls within our domestic violence policy, please contact our team before booking. We’re here to help you find the right path forward.
Your relationship matters. For over 20 years, we’ve helped over 83,000 clients as Australia’s leading couples counselling group. With over 230+ Hart Centre Certified therapists, finding yours is easy.
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