Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

I have been supporting the survivors of violent acts since I was an undergrad in college. Since 2007 I have been an advocate for those who most often feel voiceless. It is so important to provide a safe place for survivors to share their story, find safety and work to rebuild their life. I use a variety of tools to help you combat trauma and increase safety.

I have nearly two years of experience working with victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I come from a place of empathy and understanding to assist clients in exploring options in a nonjudgmental, person-centered manner. Issues of IPV and sexual assault are not always easily navigated and I take care and caution to ensure trauma informed practice to avoid further pain and hurt.

I have extensive experience working with survivors of domestic violence.

I have received extensive training in treating the effects of domestic violence in adults, teens and children. I continue to work primarily with clients who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence in various capacities throughout their lives. I also work with adult survivors of domestic violence and their children together to help establish healthy healing dynamics after the family has left an abusive dynamic.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

DV/IPV can affect anyone--regardless of sexuality, gender, age, religion, ability, nationality, neurodivergence. I validate clients' experiences, educate on dynamics of abuse within relationships, and work with you to remain safe, whether that means while in the relationship or not.

Throughout my education, I have focused on domestic violence and it's impact. I have dedicated a majority of my education researching and understanding the complexities of intimate partner abuse and its effects, as well as how to help victims become survivors. In order to help victims of abuse, it is important that we create a safe and nonjudgmental environment for them so they can feel comfortable in opening up about their situation.

Survivors of domestic violence or intimate partner violence often suffer with PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Utilizing a combination of EMDR therapy, parts work and psychotherapy I treat the individual and walk their healing journey along with them.

I began my career working as a Victim Advocate in the court system for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. I offered support throughout the court process and I understand how profoundly domestic violence affects our lives. I worked for years as a case manager in confidential shelters before working as a therapist. I am passionate about this work.

I am an IPV/DV survivor. I went to support groups at a DV advocacy agency, and I loved the experience so much, that a few years later, I returned to the agency to run the groups as a volunteer. This inspired me to become a therapist, and now I counsel IPV/DV survivors and run counseling support groups. I help people understand what happened, and empower people to find their self-esteem to move forward. I wrote an educational memoir about my experience that is available on my website.

I have over ten (10) years of experience working with both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence. I focus on domestic violence and intimate partner psychoeducation, self-acknowledgment and self-validation skill-building, safety planning and trauma exploration and reprocessing to help my clients understand themselves in the context of their relationships and as an individual.

Domestic violence is often misunderstood as strictly physical violence against one's partner. But it is much more complicated than that. Emotional abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse, gaslighting, control, and manipulation are too often not considered in domestic or intimate partner violence. I have experience with all of these forms of abuse and understand the complexity and difficulty of these relationships.

Many survivors find that, as time goes on, the impacts of specific traumatic events begin to affect them differently. As challenging as it may feel to share your story, it is so important to find a safe place to process and cope with trauma and abuse you have survived. I am able to provide a safe place for all survivors to process, share and navigate their story. Together we will work on rebuilding your sense of self and increasing your quality of life.

My entire life people that I love have been harmed by people who "love" them. From early high school to the present I come up against bullies that use the blunt and cowardly weapon of violence to preserve their personal world order or to expel their own hurt onto others. I have worked as a domestic violence advocate in confidential shelter, and with trafficked girls in jail. The meaning of helping someone find the call to freedom and joy from incarcerations of this kind is unspeakable.

I have worked on both side of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. I have provided victim centered treatment in the forensic space, as well as trauma therapy for survivors in the private space. Domestic violence is not limited to behaviors deemed illegal by the criminal justice system, but also includes emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse.

Survivors of intimate partner violence often experience deep, relational trauma. This can lead to significant anxiety and self doubt, making it hard to trust yourself and your gut/instincts. When this happens, attempts to protect ourselves can sometimes make us more vulnerable. I can help you understand your experiences, your responses, and learn to trust yourself again.

Survivors of intimate partner violence often experience deep, relational trauma. This can lead to significant anxiety and self doubt, making it hard to trust yourself and your gut/instincts. When this happens, attempts to protect ourselves can sometimes make us more vulnerable. I can help you understand your experiences, your responses, and learn to trust yourself again.