Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse Counseling
Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; living together, separated, or dating.
Examples of abuse include:
- Name calling or Putdowns
- Keeping a Partner from Contacting their Family or Friends
- Withholding money
- Stopping a Partner from Getting or Keeping a Job
- Actual or Threatened Physical Harm
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Intimidation
Partner or Domestic Violence is a criminal act. It can include physical assaults (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), restriction on your ability to leave, and stalking. Although emotional, psychological, and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence. Any or all of these types of abuse can lead to traumatic stress for both the victim and his or her loved ones (including children).
Victims can be of any age, sex, culture, religion, education, employment, or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Even though many parents aren’t aware of the fact and may even go to great lengths to hide the abuse, most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may develop emotional and behavioral problems.
If you are being abused, REMEMBER…
You are NOT ALONE
It is NOT YOUR FAULT
Help IS available
Do you need help?
Counseling can help you develop a stronger sense of yourself, a way of changing your life for the better, and options for emotional and physical safety that you may not have considered. PLEASE DON’T WAIT. If we can help you, please call (757) 409 – 4922 to set up an appointment.
If you need immediate help, call the
National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE or go to www.thehotline.org.
Child Abuse, Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Covert Incest, and Elder Abuse
Child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and covert incest have far reaching physical, psychological, and emotional consequences. Adults who were abused, molested, or neglected as children often experience anxiety, depression, and poor self concept. These trauma symptoms can be extremely distressing and create impairments across different life dimensions. Children and adolescents who have been or who are currently being abused or neglected may also experience these negative outcomes.
There is help and hope. With experience working with abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse, sexual assault, and trauma, our therapists are well equipped to help you or your loved ones. For more information, click on the links below: