Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic, or intimate partner violence, can take many forms. It is often violence used in an effort to gain and/or maintain control. Some of the more common types of domestic violence include physical abuse (hitting, pushing, hair-pulling, forced substance use), emotional abuse (insults, blame, or other methods to diminish a person's self-esteem), psychological abuse (threats, including against family, pets, friends, or the abuser themselves, stopping a partner from attending activities, or other manipulation), sexual abuse (coerced or demeaning sex acts), and financial abuse (controlling a partner's finances or restriction of financial resources like an allowance). The emotional effects of these types of abuse can be long lasting, and may cause depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), insomnia, emotional distance, and more. If you or someone you know is experiencing (or has experienced) abuse, a qualified therapist can help. It is also important for children who witness or experience domestic abuse to see a professional who specializes in the age group to prevent the trauma affecting adulthood and possibly perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s abuse specialists for support today. 

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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.

— Natalia Amari, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Austin, TX

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.

— Stacey Hannigan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
 

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.

— Stacey Hannigan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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.

— Alison Murphey, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
 

Violence takes many forms. Some adults have experienced violence in their childhood home, within romantic relationships, or have experienced some form of assault in their lives. My path into mental health began 20 years ago supporting survivors navigate the court system. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional I use a Trauma Informed approach with all of my clients, ensuring that I don't trigger or re-traumatize as we process the past and allow you to leave the pain behind.

— Sara Fischer Sanford, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in SAN FRANCISCO, CA

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.

— Katie Robey, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Los Gatos, CA
 

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.

— Natalia Amari, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Austin, TX

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.

— Stacey Hannigan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
 

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.

— Kate Mageau, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, WA

I work mainly with helping clients recognize emotional & psychological abuse (which can be difficult to acknowledge or pinpoint), in past or present relationships, and explore concepts such as self-worth, values, & intuition in order to discover agency, self-love, &/or empowerment. This can be helpful in understanding the cycle of violence, seeing warning signs, and how words can shift into physical violence.

— Bria Servoss, Licensed Professional Counselor in Monona, WI
 

I have about a decade's experience in working with folks experiencing DV or partner violence. Beginning with my internship during my Master-level work, my experience in this area has ranged widely by gender and has been primarily community-based work. My understanding of DV is led by an anti-oppression lens and has deeply influenced the way I practice today.

— Celia Castro, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in CAMBRIDGE, MA

I am deeply committed to helping clients who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. There is no judgment here just support. With years of experience in this area, including writing my thesis on helping individuals in abusive relationships, I understand how important it is to have someone who truly gets it. If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I'm here to help you figure things out. Reach out when you're ready.

— Katie Robey, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Los Gatos, CA
 

I have extensive experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence, in both the hospital and emergency shelter settings. Whether you are still experiencing violence or have been out of the situation for many years, I would love to provide you with the support you are looking for. I believe that my clients are the experts of their own lives and should be in control of every aspect of their therapy experience.

— Kara Isbell, Therapist in Henrico, VA

I began my work at Peace Over Violence, a non profit organization that offered free services including therapy, crisis intervention, legal services, and more to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. My training there educated me on the legal aspects of both, and how to best emotionally support populations who are hoping to escape, have escaped, or have long been out of abusive dynamics.

— Hannah Nicolaci, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA
 

I have worked at a domestic violence agency for over seven years providing advocacy-based counseling, safety planning and crisis intervention, facilitating support groups and therapy processing groups and providing individual therapy to adult survivors of intimate partner violence. I use a survivor-driven and DV-informed approach, and have trained other mental health providers on how to use this approach.

— Georgiana Peters, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have experience working with multiply marginalized persons who are experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and/or Domestic Violence.

— Sarah Dino, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Roswell, GA
 

As a therapist working with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, I offer a compassionate and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences with trauma, regain a sense of safety, and work toward empowerment. My approach centers on understanding the complex emotions of fear, shame, and loss that often accompany these experiences while fostering resilience, self-worth, and the courage to heal. Together, we navigate the path to recovery, focusing on reclaiming you

— Eric Meckel, Licensed Master of Social Work in Boulder, CO

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.

— Stephanie Puckett, Licensed Professional Counselor in Raleigh, NC
 

I have extensive experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence, in both the hospital and emergency shelter settings. Whether you are still experiencing violence or have been out of the situation for many years, I would love to provide you with the support you are looking for. I believe that my clients are the experts of their own lives and should be in control of every aspect of their therapy experience.

— Kara Isbell, Therapist in Henrico, VA