Domestic Abuse
If you have suffered abuse or neglect during childhood, the mental and emotional impact can leave life-long scars. Thankfully, there is hope for healing with the help of professional counselling and psychotherapy.
Counselling and Therapy for Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour within an intimate relationship or family dynamic, where one partner tries to control and dominate the other. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse. The effects of domestic violence and abuse can be long-lasting and significantly impact every day functioning, relationships, and the overall quality of life.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour that can be characterised by the exercise of control or power by one person, or sometimes more than one person, over another within an intimate or family relationship. Domestic abuse is often inflicted in the following common ways:
- Physically – hitting, beating, punching, burning, choking etc.
- Sexually – making someone have sex or perform sexual acts that they don't wish to
- Psychologically /Emotionally – belittling, name calling, dismissing, eroding confidence, swearing and verbally abusing the individual or using emotional blackmail to manipulate
- Financially – either by restricting access to joint funds, causing financial hardship or stealing from you
- Social Isolation – Restricting access to friends or family or causing friends and family to lose contact over time or immediately
- Controlling behaviour such as monitoring social network accounts and mobile phone or internet access
Who Experiences Domestic Abuse and Violence?
By far most domestic violence is perpetrated by men against women. However, domestic violence also occurs in same sex relationships and to heterosexual men by their partners or other individuals in their family.
It is important to acknowledge that domestic abuse can affect individuals from any social, geographic or cultural group, and victims of domestic abuse can be of any age, class, race or religion, male or female.
Who are the Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse?
Equally those inflicting the abuse can be from as diverse a group and importantly it is not always someone who is physically stronger or older who is the abuser. Domestic Abuse can be inflicted by able bodied people as well as individuals with disabilities and can be inflicted by children towards adults or the frail can be abusive to younger and stronger individuals.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
Counselling and Therapy for Domestic Abuse and Violence
Counselling and therapy can play a critical role in helping victims of domestic violence and abuse heal from the pain inflicted upon them. The process can provide vital support and validation giving victims tools that will enable them to continue healing and rebuild their lives.
The following are the specific ways in which counselling and various types of therapy can help victims in their journey of recovery:
- Creating a safe space
- Validation and empowerment
- Processing trauma
- Learning coping strategies
- Empowering decision-making
- Promoting self-discovery and growth
Counselling and Therapy Options
There are range of therapies which are specifically designed to help victims of domestic abuse heal from their trauma. These therapies use a personalised approach, focusing on the survivor’s unique experiences, circumstances, and needs to create the therapeutic program that will best foster healing.
The following are the most common types of therapies:
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Narrative therapy
- Group therapy
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Benefits of Domestic Violence Counselling
Accessing counselling when you are experiencing domestic violence is not about ‘advising’ or ‘telling’ you to leave the relationship.
Instead, counselling is a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space where you can begin to explore what is going on, what has happened and how you feel about it. Counselling is different from talking to friends or family, it is a confidential and non-judgemental space where you can discuss your feelings, thoughts and concerns about a relationship in your own time and in your own way.
Importantly during a therapy session, there are no demands made on you to ‘explain’ yourself or ‘justify’ your concerns or worries about the relationship. It is a place where you can explore all the feelings you have about the relationship and, indeed, anything else from your life that comes up and feels relevant to you.
Just being able to talk to a counsellor about the situation and what is happening and being heard and believed can be an enormous relief for many people.
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
Domestic violence is a complex and deeply personal experience, and finding the right therapeutic support is crucial for your recovery. At Innerworth Counselling, I am committed to creating a safe, supportive, and understanding environment where you can explore your experiences and work towards healing.
By utilising a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, my gaol is to help you build resilience, enhance your well-being, and reclaim your life after domestic violence.
Take the First Step Now
To learn more about how my domestic violence therapy services can support your recovery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can embark on a journey towards a brighter, healthier future.
Additional Information
Here are some links about domestic violence and counselling that you may find helpful:
Victim Support
A charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales which is independent from the police.
www.victimsupport.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
This is a 24-hour confidential helpline run by Refuge where you can talk anonymously and ask for general information, advice and guidance.
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.