Dealing With ‘Interpersonal Violence’
C.W. Post counseling group will focus on restoring hope and
trust for survivors of interpersonal violence

March 31, 2003 - Suffering violence at the hands of another can have devastating effects on a person’s life, such as feelings of hopelessness, bleakness, fears or distrust of other people. In order to assist survivors of interpersonal violence, a clinical psychologist at the Psychological Services Center at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is forming a new therapeutic group to deal with the effects of such trauma.

"When people are victims of interpersonal trauma, as opposed to a natural disaster, there are many more questions about the meaning of faith, life and human relationships," says Dr. Danielle Knafo, associate professor in the clinical psychology doctoral program at C.W. Post. "Those questions can be tackled on a group level in a way they can’t be tackled individually. The group together can, for example, work on ways to find new meaning in relationships."

Another important aspect of a group is the empowering and validating support that members get from others who have gone through similar experiences. This addresses a common feeling among survivors that no one could possibly understand what they have endured. When they interview prospective participants, Dr. Knafo and her co-leader, doctoral student Tal Lee, will look for those who are motivated to work on these issues in a therapeutic group setting.

Dr. Knafo and Ms. Lee are now accepting applications to the group, which is open to anyone who has endured interpersonal violence in the near or distant past. Ms. Lee says the definition is intentionally broad in order to welcome anyone who feels physically and emotionally hurt by someone else. Experiences may include childhood abuse, domestic violence, rape, mugging and terrorism. They will facilitate the group, with possible assistance from other clinical psychology students who will take intensive workshops on interpersonal violence.

Dr. Knafo has extensive experience in dealing with trauma, having lived and worked in Israel for 12 years. There she dealt with various types of trauma, including those related to the Holocaust and terrorism. She spoke widely on terror trauma following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and recently completed a book called Living With Terror, Working With Trauma. It is scheduled for publication by Jason Aronson Inc. Publishers by September. Ms. Lee is a social worker who specializes in post traumatic stress disorder, and is also a doctoral candidate in the clinical psychology program.

Although Dr. Knafo and Ms. Lee will co-lead the group in order to ensure a constructive and therapeutic process, the format of the group will be determined largely by the participants. The group will include approximately eight to 10 people and there will be 10 one-hour weekly sessions. Since one of the goals of this group is to serve the community, if there will be enough interest, Dr. Knafo may open a second group.

"When one endures physical or emotional trauma, the ramifications may be pervasive and enduring," says Ms. Lee. "The effects can be felt in relationships, work or school functioning, and in the perception of oneself. In this group we hope to assist survivors of interpersonal violence rebuild their relationships, restore their trust in others, and improve their self perception, by creating a safe environment for processing their feelings and memories of the trauma."

For more information or to obtain an application, contact the Psychological Services Center at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y. at (516) 299-3211. Specific questions can be directed to Professor Knafo at (516) 299-3893.