When Money Becomes Control — Recognising Financial Abuse and Coercive Control in Therapy
Financial abuse is not always named as abuse. A client may speak about having to ask permission to buy essentials, being monitored whenever they spend, carrying debt they did not freely agree to, or being unable to access their own accounts. This masterclass gives therapists a safe, structured way to notice what may be happening in a client’s financial life and respond without escalating risk.
Professional development only — not an accredited CPD or CE activity.
Who this course is for
This is for you if
Recognising financial abuse and control
- Clients describe asking permission to buy essentials, having their spending monitored, or being unable to access their own accounts — and you want to recognise what may be happening.
- You suspect financial abuse is hidden behind words like stress, bad luck, relationship problems or “my own poor decisions”.
- You work with clients carrying debt they did not freely agree to, or living with enforced financial dependence.
- You want to notice what clients minimise, avoid or normalise about money, control and safety in their relationships.
Safety, scope and ethical boundaries
- You want to respond to possible financial abuse without escalating risk for your client.
- You need clarity on your scope — and when specialist domestic and family violence, legal or financial referral may be required.
- You want clear guidance on documentation, supervision and reporting considerations in your practice.
Client agency and the therapeutic relationship
- You want to protect your client’s agency and self-determination rather than rushing to rescue or direct.
- You want to work with the secrecy, shame and self-blame that often surround financial control.
- You want a trauma-informed, ethically grounded framework you can use in sessions immediately.
Not for you if
- —You are looking for financial advice, budgeting or debt counselling training
- —You want a business or marketing course about growing your practice income
- —You are a financial professional seeking CPD or CEU accreditation
What you'll be able to do
Understand financial abuse and coercive control
Learn the patterns, dynamics and tactics that can show up in a client’s financial life, even when abuse is never named.
Recognise signs in a therapy session
Notice what clients may say, avoid, minimise or normalise — and how it can appear in fees, access to money and relationship context.
Respond safely and within scope
Know how to hold the conversation without escalating risk, and when specialist referral or reporting may be required.
Protect client agency and your own practice
Apply clear boundaries, documentation and supervision practices that keep you and your client safe.
It is often hidden in plain sight
Financial abuse and coercive control are rarely disclosed directly. A client may describe the situation as stress, bad luck, relationship problems or their own poor decisions — and they may not recognise it as abuse themselves.
For therapists, this creates a unique responsibility. The wrong response can increase risk. The right response can validate what is happening and help the client access safety and support.
What this masterclass helps you do
- Recognise what financial abuse and coercive control can look like in a client’s story
- Hold the conversation with caution and respect for the client’s agency
- Identify red flags that require specialist referral, legal support or reporting
- Work within your scope while still being useful and compassionate
What you get
Every enrolment includes lifetime access to the full course library, practical tools you can use in client meetings, and a Statement of Completion.
- 75-minute on-demand masterclass, watch any time
- Statement of Completion
- Reflective prompts on scope, safety and risk
- Practical guidance for responding without escalating danger
- Lifetime access to the recording and materials
Downloadable resources
Every enrolment includes 5 practical resources you can download and use in your practice straight away.
- Agency Check-In
- Language for Financial Safety
- Financial Control Practice Audit
- Practitioner Response Plan
- Case Reflection Worksheet
Get all three masterclasses — AU$257
- Money in the Therapy Room
- When Money Becomes Control — included, you're on this page
- The Hidden Shame of Money
Questions about this course
- Who is this masterclass for?
- Psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, somatic practitioners and other mental health professionals — anywhere in the world. It is not designed for financial advisers, financial counsellors or financial professionals seeking CPD/CEU credits.
- How long is it and when can I watch?
- It is a 75-minute on-demand masterclass. You watch at your own pace, in one sitting or across several, with lifetime access.
- Does it carry CPD or CE credit?
- No. You receive a Statement of Completion, which many practitioners record as self-directed professional development.
- Is this domestic violence or specialist abuse training?
- This masterclass provides professional education and does not replace specialist domestic and family violence training, legal advice, financial advice, supervision, organisational procedures or jurisdiction-specific reporting and safety obligations.
- How much is it?
- Currently on Sale — AU$97.
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Further reading
Ready to use this in your practice?
Enrol now for immediate access to the full course, resources and Statement of Completion.
When Money Becomes Control
AU$97