Emotional abuse counseling with our Thriveworks therapists in Alexandria gives people the safe space they need to identify and understand the harm they’ve experienced and move forward. Through therapy, many victims have rebuilt their self-esteem and self-worth; recognized that they did not cause the abuse, but their perpetrator is responsible for the choice to harm; identified their wounds and found the treatment they need; healed from trauma; re-established their personal safety; grieved their losses; formed new, loving relationships; and learned to trust their experiences and emotions.
Emotional abuse counseling with one of our Thriveworks therapists in Alexandria, VA can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, depending on the individual’s exact needs and preferences.
Counselors Who Help Emotional Abuse Victims in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Therapy for Safety and Healing
Every relationship will with have tiffs and disagreements at times, and when these are done with respect, they are signs of a healthy and secure connection. However, people who abuse emotionally denigrate, agitates, and control.
Emotional abuse can be defined as the systematic use of feelings to gain control over another person. However, illustrating instances of emotional abuse may be more clear. The following are examples of emotional abuse:
- Showing acute possessiveness and jealousy over another (“You are mine”).
- Shaming, mocking, humiliating, embarrassing, criticizing, or name-calling, often done publicly (“Can you do anything right?”).
- Deflecting responsibility for their own choices and actions onto others (“This is your fault…”).
- Isolating someone from their friends and family (“You can’t visit your dad. I need you.”).
- Withholding affection and love (Ignoring another person for days).
- Falsely blaming another person (“You stole [harmed, lied, forgot, et cetera] …” when they know you did not).
- Dismissing and minimizing another person’s thoughts, experiences, or feelings (“You’re just sensitive.”).
- Objectifying people (“Man up!” or “You’re such a girl!”).
- Intimidating, guilting, or threatening to get what they want (“If you were a good child, you would…”).
- Denying accesses to important resources (medical care, food, money, education, and/or transportation).
- Harming or trashing another’s possessions without permission (Throwing away an important letter, burning a beloved photo, et cetera).
- Crazy-making/gaslighting (Undercutting other people’s confidence in their experiences, memories, feelings, or thoughts).
- Outbursts of emotion, particularly anger, that keep others on edge (Emotional responses that do not correlate to situation).
Unseen Wounds to the Spirit
Emotional abuse wounds a person’s mind, soul, and spirit. The injures may not be visible, they may not bleed or scar or bruise, but they are excruciating. There are many forms these wounds can take, including psychosomatic pain, hyper-vigilance, suicide idealization, depression, fear, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. Victims of emotional often experience…
- Feelings of blame—as if they provoked the abuse or deserved it.
- Terror of their perpetrator.
- A distrust of their own experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
- Doubt that they can do anything that is right.
- Walking on eggshells around their abuser.
- Feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness.
Recovering from Emotional Abuse at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia)
If you understand what it is like to be in relationship with someone who is emotionally abusive, there is help. Thriveworks Alexandria counselors have helped many people heal from the trauma that emotional abuse causes. If you are ready to begin therapy, our mental health professionals are ready to meet with you.
Thriveworks Alexandria is ready to give you support and guidance as you re-establish your personal safety. Book online or give our office a call to get started today.
