Domestic Abuse Counselling

You will be invited gently to participate in an assessment of your situation, including the nature and extent of the abuse, any immediate safety concerns, and your support network. This assessment helps me gain a more comprehensive understanding of your needs, strengths, and resources. It may involve discussing your history, current living situation, mental health, and any legal or financial challenges you may be facing. We will proceed at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Know that you do not have to tell me anything you don’t want to or feel safe to disclose. 

You will experience empathetic listening and validation in your counselling sessions as we acknowledge your experiences and emotions together and without judgment. This support helps you regain a sense of control over your life and to begin the healing process.

We will seek to understand the dynamics of abuse, patterns of power and control, and the cycle of violence in your specific situation. Know that you are not alone and that abuse is never acceptable or deserved.

If appropriate in your unique circumstance, we will develop a practical safety plan for yourself (and your dependents and/or pets if you have any) to activate if needed in order to increase safety and reduce the risk of further harm. Safety plans may include identifying safe spaces, documenting evidence of abuse, and making an emergency contact list. If needed we will investigate further resources to facilitate your safety.

Family domestic abuse and elder abuse often leaves survivors with deep emotional wounds and trauma. With a trauma-informed, emotion-focused, and focusing-oriented therapy approach, your counselling sessions are a safe space where you can begin to heal from the emotional scars of abuse, grow your sense of empowered self, and fuel your self esteem in order to regain your sense of self and control over your life.

As you get a felt sense of the side of you that struggles and as we develop together your internal way of taking care of it, we’ll begin envisioning a future free from abuse, and set personal and professional goals towards gaining and regaining your sense of well being. This may involve exploring opportunities in your life (eg. further education, job training, building a supportive network). Nurturing your growing, empowered, autonomous self will lead you to trust in yourself again and in making informed choices about your future, that are right for you.

At some point down the track, you will feel empowered and better in yourself, and may wish to take a break from counselling. The timing of this is different for everyone and depends on your unique circumstances. When this occurs, please know that I will continue to provide ongoing counselling support as needed. Regular follow up sessions can be helpful to address any new emerging or reemerging concerns as can making connections to community resources, support groups, and other professionals and specialists.