Integrative Healing Model for Intimate Partner Violence ©

The Integrative Healing Model for Intimate Partner Violence (IHM-IPV) is a holistic, trauma-informed framework designed to help survivors understand their experiences, reclaim agency, and heal from the effects of abuse. Rooted in the recognition that IPV is shaped by systemic factors, intergenerational trauma, and social determinants of health, this model provides a comprehensive, survivor-centered approach to recovery. It incorporates key elements such as the Stairway of Abuse, intersectionality, and the impact of provider presence, illustrating how every interaction can either hinder or support a survivor’s healing journey. The model is structured around six core elements, including environmental influences (weather), the therapeutic presence of providers (soil), psychoeducation (roots), the interplay between knowledge and experience (trunk), experiential healing pathways (branches), and the individual's unique lived experience (tree slice). By emphasizing self-reflection, effective communication, and the power of connection, the IHM-IPV equips clinicians, advocates, and community leaders with actionable strategies to create inclusive, survivor-centered support systems that validate survivors' experiences, dismantle shame, and foster meaningful healing.