In IPV practice, safety planning should be integrated with therapy to

• A. Address immediate risks and connect to resources
• B. Be postponed until after treatment
• C. Replace formal services
• D. Ignore safety

Answer: (A)

Safety planning in IPV practice is about reducing danger in real time while connecting people to helpful supports. When this planning is woven into therapy, it stays responsive to changing risk and individual needs, rather than sitting apart from the healing process. The best approach recognizes that danger can escalate quickly, so the therapist works with the client to identify imminent threats, outline concrete steps for staying safe, and link them to resources such as shelters, hotlines, legal aid, healthcare, and community services. This integrated approach ensures safety is addressed alongside mental health and healing, making treatment more practical and protective in the moment.

Postponing safety until after treatment would leave the person vulnerable during the course of care. Replacing formal services with therapy alone undermines access to essential supports that are often critical for safety. Ignoring safety is unethical and dangerous, and inconsistent with best practices in IPV work.