Beyond the Bruises: Clinically Addressing Coercive Control and Complex Trauma in DV Survivors

Beyond the Bruises: Clinically Addressing Coercive Control and Complex Trauma in Domestic Violence Survivors

Michelle Shields, LMSW, is a recognized expert in domestic-violence intervention and trauma-informed care. A graduate of Arizona State University, she launched her career in Tucson, Arizona, designing cutting-edge programs for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Since relocating to Amarillo in 2015, Michelle has continued this work at Family Support Services, where she spearheads services for high-risk survivors. As an executive board member of the Amarillo Domestic Violence Coalition, she helped establish the city's Domestic Violence High-Risk Team—an initiative credited with lowering intimate-partner homicide rates. Partnering with the Texas Council on Family Violence, she also piloted state-wide trauma-informed service models now considered best practice. With more than 16 years of frontline and leadership experience, Michelle remains committed to advancing safety, healing, and systemic change for survivors.

You may also like the following events from Amarillo Mental Health Professionals:

• This month, 24th October, 08:00 am, 2025 Fall Symposium in Amarillo
• Next month, 12th November, 12:00 pm, AMHP Lunch and Learn Placeholder in Amarillo
• This December, 10th December, 12:00 pm, AMHP Lunch and Learn Placeholder in Amarillo