325: Navigating The Legal System As A Survivor with Kaytee Gillis

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is about a sensitive topic - finding safety via the legal system following domestic violence and stalking. If this topic hits close to home for you, please take care of yourself while listening.

 

Today host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Kaytee Gillis, LCSW, a Louisiana-based psychotherapist, advocate and author. Her recent book, "Invisible Bruises - How A Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System" is out now. In this conversation, Laura and Kaytee discuss the limitations of protective orders, what therapists need to know about supporting survivors of relationship violence and how survivors can get help. Kaytee talks about some of the specific barriers LGBTQ+ survivors face when navigating the legal system for protection. 

 

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, is a psychotherapist, advocate, and author with a passion for working with survivors of family trauma and the LGBTQ+ community. She received her BA in psychology from Clark University, and her Master's from Tulane, where she focused on sexuality and promoting effective and accurate sex education in Louisiana schools. Her work focuses on assisting survivors of psychological abuse, stalking, and other non-physical forms of domestic violence and family trauma, and assisting survivors with navigating the legal system to receive protection. Her recent book, Invisible Bruises: How a Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System, sheds light on the ways that the legal system can perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence by failing to recognize patterns that would otherwise hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors. Gillis provides training on recognizing patterns of domestic violence and family dysfunction, treating the aftermath of abuse and trauma, and helping survivors move forward.

 

Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe!

Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free. 

Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes! 

This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available.

Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio