Find Domestic Abuse Therapy

Domestic abuse—also referred to as domestic violence—is a pattern of behavior used by one person to control or harm another within an intimate or family relationship. Abuse can be physical, but it also includes emotional, psychological, verbal, sexual, and financial forms of control.

Common signs you may be experiencing abuse include:

• Being constantly criticized, belittled, or made to feel worthless
• Feeling afraid to speak up or express your needs
• Having your access to money, transportation, or communication tightly controlled
• Being isolated from friends, family, or outside support
• Experiencing threats, intimidation, or violence
• Being forced into unwanted sexual activity
• Walking on eggshells to avoid triggering your partner

If you’re questioning whether your relationship is abusive, that in itself is a red flag. A domestic abuse therapist can help you sort through your experiences in a nonjudgmental space and validate what you’re going through.

Yes. Therapy for domestic violence is beneficial whether you're:

• Still in the relationship but unsure what to do
• Planning to leave and need support or a safety plan
• Have already left and are processing the aftermath

A domestic abuse therapist can help with:

• Recognizing the dynamics of power and control
• Addressing trauma responses like hypervigilance or emotional numbing
• Managing fear, guilt, shame, or grief
• Rebuilding a sense of self and personal autonomy
• Navigating legal, financial, or housing challenges

Therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about regaining control over your story, and making choices that are safe, empowering, and informed.

Several therapeutic approaches are especially effective for survivors of abuse. These include:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Helps survivors recognize and change harmful thought patterns developed during or after abuse. Focuses on emotional regulation, safety, and resilience.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Supports reprocessing of traumatic memories so they become less emotionally distressing. Many survivors of domestic violence find EMDR especially helpful for reducing PTSD symptoms.

Somatic Therapy

Focuses on how trauma lives in the body. Techniques may include grounding, breathwork, and movement to release physical tension and reconnect with safety.

Narrative Therapy

Helps survivors reframe their story from one of victimhood to one of survival and empowerment.

Psychoeducation

Empowers clients with knowledge about trauma, abuse cycles, and healing processes so they can understand and normalize their reactions.

The best domestic violence therapy often integrates several of these approaches, tailored to the client’s specific needs and history.

Safety is the top priority. If you're living with an abuser, seeking therapy can be difficult—but it’s still possible.

Steps to consider:

• Use safe devices—not shared phones or computers—to research or contact a domestic abuse therapist
• Schedule therapy sessions during times when your partner is not home
• Let your therapist know your situation during the first call or intake so they can help create a safety plan
• Know that therapy is confidential—your abuser does not have to know you’re receiving support
• If needed, reach out to a domestic violence hotline to explore shelter, legal, or safety resources

Therapists trained in domestic abuse therapy understand the risks and will work with you to keep you safe while offering emotional support.

Abuse is not just about bruises or broken bones. In fact, many survivors say the emotional and verbal abuse left deeper wounds than the physical violence.

Types of abuse include:

• Emotional abuse: Gaslighting, manipulation, humiliation, threats, and guilt-tripping
• Verbal abuse: Yelling, name-calling, constant criticism, or threats
• Financial abuse: Controlling all money, preventing you from working, stealing from you
• Sexual abuse: Coercion, assault, or any unwanted sexual contact
• Digital abuse: Monitoring your messages, GPS tracking, or demanding passwords

If you feel controlled, unsafe, or afraid in your relationship—even without physical violence—it’s abuse. Therapy can help you trust that feeling, understand your worth, and explore your options.

The first session in domestic abuse therapy is about building safety and trust. You don’t have to share everything. You don’t even have to call it abuse if that word doesn’t feel right yet.

Your therapist may ask:

• What brings you to therapy now?
• What has your experience in the relationship been like?
• How are you coping—emotionally, physically, and day-to-day?
• Do you feel safe at home, and is it okay to contact you there?
• What are your goals for therapy?

You are always in control of what you share. The goal is not to push or fix you, but to walk beside you in a way that feels supportive and empowering.

Yes. One of the cruelest effects of abuse is how it erodes your sense of identity and worth. You may question your judgment, feel ashamed of staying, or wonder if you’ll ever trust again.

In therapy for domestic violence, you’ll work to:

• Understand how abuse impacted your self-perception
• Separate your identity from what your abuser told you
• Rebuild a sense of autonomy and confidence
• Explore how to set healthy boundaries in future relationships
• Learn to recognize red flags and trust your instincts again

Reclaiming your voice, your body, and your inner strength is possible—and therapy offers the tools to help you do it.

When searching for a domestic abuse therapist, look for someone who:

• Lists domestic violence therapy, trauma, or abuse recovery as specialties
• Uses terms like trauma-informed, EMDR, or PTSD treatment
• Has experience with safety planning, crisis intervention, and survivor advocacy
• Prioritizes empowerment, not judgment or diagnosis

You can search directories like MiResource.com, ask local women’s shelters for referrals, or reach out to national hotlines for guidance. Many therapists now offer online domestic abuse therapy for added privacy and flexibility.