Abuse Counseling
Are you afraid of your partner or someone else you thought you could trust? Do you feel like you are being emotionally, sexually, physically, or financially hurt/manipulated?
If so, you may be in an abusive relationship. Abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Regardless of when it took place, abuse can leave a lasting impact on an individual’s well-being and the relationships he or she forms (romantic or otherwise).
Whether it’s sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or another form of abuse, counseling can help. Through online therapy, you will be able to recognize and address unhealthy patterns in your relationships, heal from trauma, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Defining Abuse
Abuse refers to a pattern of harmful behaviors that are used to exert power and control over another individual. It can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
- Physical abuse involves the use of force that causes injury or harm.
- Emotional abuse seeks to undermine an individual’s self-worth through demeaning statements, humiliation, manipulation and intimidation. Emotional abuse also includes verbal abuse and threats.
- Sexual abuse involves any form of unwanted sexual contact or behavior.
- Financial abuse (also referred to as economic abuse) involves the exploitation or manipulation of an individual’s financial resources for personal gain.
- Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue that occurs in intimate relationships, where one partner seeks to establish and maintain dominance and control over the other. This abusive dynamic can take any of the above forms.
Abusive behavior is often linked to controlling behavior and isolation tactics that prevent the victim from interacting with others — especially to hide any signs of abuse from family or friends. Abuse can occur in any type of relationship, including romantic partnerships, friendships, and family relationships.
Signs of Abuse
If you are experiencing or have experienced any form of abuse, it can be challenging to recognize the signs. However, some common signs may include:
- Feeling afraid of your partner
- Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
- Doubting your own sanity or perception of reality (through gaslighting)
- Feeling like you have to change your behavior or hide things from your partner (walking on eggshells)
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Being physically harmed or feeling threatened with violence
- Being forced or coerced into sexual acts
- Having your actions monitored and controlled
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated from friends and family
- Experiencing anxiety, depression, or general emotional distress
Symptoms of abuse are often similar to those of PTSD. To someone who is being or has been abused, the world may not seem like a safe place.
If you feel that you are a victim of abuse, it is important to seek help. No one deserves to be abused and there is no excuse for it.
Benefits of Online Abuse Counseling
Seeking therapy for abuse can be intimidating, and the thought of attending in-person sessions may feel overwhelming. Online therapy for domestic and other types of abuse offers a safe and accessible option.
Some benefits of receiving online abuse counseling include:
- Confidentiality: Online therapy provides a confidential space to discuss sensitive and traumatic experiences without having to go into a physical office setting.
- Accessibility: Online counseling is accessible for those who may not have access to transportation or live in remote areas where mental health resources may be limited.
- Flexibility: Virtual sessions offer more flexibility in scheduling appointments, making it easier to fit into busy schedules.
Ensuring you have a safe and private environment for your therapy consultation is crucial. Before our session, I recommend that you take time to identify a location where you feel secure and can speak openly without fear of being overheard. This could be in your home, a trusted friend’s place, or any location that offers you peace of mind.
If you are actively in a domestic violence or other abusive situation and cannot locate a safe space for our online session, please let me know. I am committed to your well-being and in such cases, can refer you to another therapist who can offer a safe environment.
*Note: I do not work with perpetrators.
Treating Survivors of Abuse
Whether you are seeking emotional abuse therapy, therapy for sexual abuse, domestic abuse counseling, or another form of abuse counseling, I am here to help. There are various therapeutic approaches that I may incorporate in helping you to overcome and heal from abuse. These include:
- Trauma-focused therapy – This type of therapy focuses on processing traumatic experiences and developing coping strategies to manage distressing symptoms. This type of therapy is especially helpful for survivors of sexual abuse.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting healthier coping mechanisms.
- A form of CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) focuses on processing and challenging the thoughts and beliefs individuals may have about themselves or the world as a result of their abuse. It helps in restructuring negative thought patterns and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Using the right coping skills is a big part of moving forward as an abuse victim.
- Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness and Deep Breathing are helpful relaxation techniques that can help in managing the stress and anxiety associated with abuse. In our sessions, I may also utilize somatic relaxation techniques like gentle movements or stretches to help you reconnect with your body. Somatic relaxation focuses on the physical sensations linked to stress and anxiety, allowing you to explore how emotions manifest in the body while releasing tension.
I will also help you to understand the importance of setting healthy boundaries, which are essential for fostering respectful and supportive relationships. We will work together to identify your personal boundaries—what you are comfortable with and what you are not—and learn how to communicate them effectively to others.
Establishing clear boundaries helps protect you from further emotional harm and fosters an environment of mutual respect. Through a greater sense of self-awareness and assertiveness, you will be able to more effectively hold others responsible for their actions. You will also become better equipped to engage in relationships that are nurturing rather than destructive.
Established Abuse Therapist in NC
As an established online abuse therapist and licensed clinical mental health counselor in North Carolina, I’ve spent over 17 years providing professional domestic abuse counseling, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse counseling, and more. To help my clients through the recovery process, I offer compassionate and effective online therapy tailored to each individual.
My approach to therapy focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment where you can openly discuss your experiences and begin to heal. I am here to help you reclaim your power and push past any shame, guilt, or isolation you may feel. You deserve to live a life free from the effects of abuse, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
Please reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation. You can also fill out the brief form at the top of this page or contact me here.