Northwest Family Life

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Northwest Family Life Domestic Violence - Counseling, Education, Treatment and Advocacy Those who come to us seeking refuge from a violent home are frightened and confused.

Their spirits are paralyzed. They feel disoriented, lost and often disconnected from their faith. They are women whose lives are devastated by the terror of violence at the hands of their husbands and intimate partners. They are children who are traumatized by seeing and hearing too much. They are men who are bewildered by their own emotions and actions. WE REACH OUT TO THEM, offering understanding, an end to isolation, resources, an escape plan or ways to maximize their safety in the midst of ongoing danger. Our advocates provide information and support to survivors of domestic violence, those currently dealing with an abusive situation, or those still healing from past abuse. WE GIVE THEM A PLACE TO HEAL. We meet them in painful places, giving them the courage to deepen their faith, heal their paralyzed hearts and guide them to emotional recovery through Godโ€™s faithfulness and transformational healing.We create an environment where decent men can come forward to confront the norms of violence against women and children. WE TEACH FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW TO SUPPORT THEM, AND ABUSERS HOW TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, recognizing the milestones of their recovery. The Northwest Family Life team offers education and training locally, nationally, and internationally. Through speaking, teaching, and presentations, we provide awareness and education on domestic violence and many related issues. Continuing Education Units (CEUโ€™s) are available for many of our trainings through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To schedule a presentation or training for your organization, church, workplace, or community, please contact us at [email protected]

Northwest Family Life conducts a State Certified Batterers Treatment Program for perpetrators of domestic violence. This Intervention program meets the WAC 388-60 for Batterers Treatment and provides an opportunity for individuals to understand the affects of abuse, take responsibility for behavior, remain accountable, change attitudes of power and control in relationships, learn anger management skills, and heal from anger and abuse. WE PROVIDE A NETWORK OF COUNSELORS FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES.

"Traumatic events destroy the sustaining bonds between individual and community. Those who have survived learned that th...
10/20/2026

"Traumatic events destroy the sustaining bonds between individual and community. Those who have survived learned that their sense of self, of worth, of humanity depends on a feeling of connection to others. The solidarity of a group provides the strongest protection against terror and despair, and the strongest antidote to traumatic experience." ~Judith Herman

We offer online support groups for people who have experienced abuse in intimate relationships. Sign up at Northwest family life.org.

We also have a network of over 30 therapists in Washington state. Please reach out to [email protected] to get connected with someone.

The transformed trauma story is a new story which is no longer about shame and humiliation but rather about dignity and ...
10/15/2026

The transformed trauma story is a new story which is no longer about shame and humiliation but rather about dignity and virtue. ~Richard Mollica

Looking for a therapist? Please reach out to [email protected] to get connected with someone.

"Though the survivor is not responsible for the injury that was done to her, she is responsible for her healing. Paradox...
10/12/2026

"Though the survivor is not responsible for the injury that was done to her, she is responsible for her healing.

Paradoxically, acceptance of this apparent injustice is the beginning of empowerment.

The only way that the survivor can take full control of her recovery is to take responsibility for it.

The only way she can discover her indestructible strength is to use them to their fullest." ~Judith Herman

We offer online support groups for people navigating domestic violence. Sign up at northwestfamilylife.org.

We've got waiting lists now open for DV support groups. What Happens in a Support Group? Trauma Isolates- the group recr...
10/10/2026

We've got waiting lists now open for DV support groups.

What Happens in a Support Group?

Trauma Isolates- the group recreates a sense of belonging.
Trauma shames and stigmatizes - the group bears witness and affirms.
Trauma degrades the victim- the group exalts her.
Trauma dehumanizes the victim - the group restores her humanity.

You are not alone, sign up for a group today.

Link in bio, or at northwestfamilylife.org/survivor-services

-Research shows us that shame and self-compassion are inversely correlated. That means, as one goes up, the other goes d...
10/06/2026

-Research shows us that shame and self-compassion are inversely correlated.

That means, as one goes up, the other goes down.

The three qualities of shame are:
Self criticism -there's something wrong with me
Isolation - being alone with the feeling
Rumination - Can't stop thinking about it

The three components of Self-Compassion are:
Mindfulness - "This is really hard"
Common humanity- "It's normal to feel this way"
Self-Kindness - How would you talk to a good friend in the same situation?

This research comes from the work of Kristen Neff and Chris Germer. Learn More at self-compassion.org

Taking a PAUSE is a POWER MOVE. Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to CHOOSE ou...
10/05/2026

Taking a PAUSE is a POWER MOVE.

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to CHOOSE our response. In our response lies our growth and our liberation.

Exact author unknown, but often attributed to Viktor Frankl

GRIEVING is an important part of HEALING. Judith Herman tells us "Reclaiming the ability to feel the full range of emoti...
10/02/2026

GRIEVING is an important part of HEALING.

Judith Herman tells us "Reclaiming the ability to feel the full range of emotions, including grief, must be understood as an ACTIVE RESISTANCE rather than submission to the perpetrators intent. Only three through morning everything she has lost can the Survivor discover her indestructible inner life."

We offer support groups for those who have experienced abuse in intimate relationships. Sign up at NorthwestFamilyLife.org.

Are you a helping professional, therapist, advocate, medical provider, social worker? Or feeling affected by changes in ...
09/28/2026

Are you a helping professional, therapist, advocate, medical provider, social worker?
Or feeling affected by changes in our world and unable to create positive change?

Come join us at Northwest Family Life this Friday from 10-11:30am to learn more about Moral Injury and Trauma Informed Soul Care, facilitated by Bethany Dearborn Hiser, MSW, Spiritual Director, Director of Soul Care for NWFL.

Moral Injury became a term to name what soldiers have experienced in war, and yet it is applicable and experienced by many helping professionals and others who are:

...unable to provide the care they feel is necessary, or provide care or harm that goes against their ethical and moral codes.

You will learn more of what Moral Injury is, how it differs from PTSD, secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, and be led in a guided meditation and self-compassion practice to reflect on a minor experience of moral injury.

Register and more info here: https://www.bethanydearbornhiser.com/eventregistration

Article link: https://bethanydearbornhiser.substack.com/p/on-experiencing-collective-moral?r=1lt7xl

Photo by Carol Guzy, A security guard sheds tears witnessing a woman and child distraught over watching their loved one detained by ICE following his immigration hearing at the Jacob Javits Federal Building in New York on Aug. 20, 2025. Neiman Reports.

1 Therapist Ethics CE only for Live Workshop.

DV Awareness Month Starts in one week!How might you mark this month? Here are some ideas: #1 Wear a purple ribbon, or de...
09/24/2026

DV Awareness Month Starts in one week!

How might you mark this month? Here are some ideas:

#1 Wear a purple ribbon, or decorate your yard or place of worship with purple ribbons. They signal to survivors that you care and provide great ways to begin a conversation about ending domestic violence.

#2 Refer and donate time, funds and goods to organizations you trust who are committed to helping victims survive and thrive. You can give directly through our website (https://northwestfamilylife.org/donate/), or another organization of your choice. https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/directory-of-local-providers/

#3 Ask that Someone how they are doing -and listen without judgment. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence, everyone knows someone affected by it.

#4 Vote & Advocate for Policies that support families and financial resources for those who are struggling. "Survivors often identify cash as their #1 most urgent need to get and stay safe."https://www.freefrom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TrustSurvivorsReport.pdf

NRCDV has developed a number of new and updated tools available at
DVawareness.org/WithSurvivors, including:

Talking points forms โ€“ printable and customizable with local data and anecdotes, these forms highlight key talking points that advocates and other community members can use for media interviews, in meetings with policy makers, and more. Download here:https://vawnet.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/NRCDV_WithSurvivors-Prevalence-TalkingPointsForm-Sept2026.pdf

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12360 Lake City Way NE Suite 420
Seattle, WA
98125

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