Helping You live A More Fulfilling Life!
Abuse Counselling
There are many different kinds of abuse such as emotional (psychological); sexual; physical, and financial. Experiencing any of these can be highly traumatic, leaving us feeling powerless with little sense of control. Sometimes the impact is not so clear and obvious as many people are unaware they are on the receiving end of abusive behaviour. Alternatively, many people are not aware that their behaviour is abusive towards others. The point about whether the behaviour is abusive, is how it makes you feel. If someone’s behaviour makes you feel small, controlled or as if you’re unable to express yourself, it’s abusive.
This leads onto another kind of trauma which is not often publicised (although can still have long-lasting effects) known as cumulative trauma. This kind of trauma happens on a more ‘little and often’ basis whereby a series of negative events and / or repetitive psychological and relational failures occur over time. Frequent criticism; neglect; being undermined or manipulated; frequent blaming known as ‘gas-lighting’; being made to feel guilty (emotional blackmail); embarrassed or humiliated; witnessing domestic abuse; lack of emotional support or comfort following a stressful event are all examples of this kind of trauma.
Sometimes it is not necessarily the traumatic event(s) but the lack of resolution, support and care afterwards that is most damaging. Therefore, the nature of how these events impact you will vary. Everyone is different and will have had varying degrees of exposure to these traumatic events. Difficulty managing your own impulses such as anger and self-destructiveness; overwhelming sadness; dissociative episodes; long-lasting guilt or sense of responsibility; difficulty trusting people or being intimate; hopelessness or despair; and other somatic or medical problems are all ways in which these events can impact on the quality of your life.
If you feel you’re in an abusive relationship it can help to speak to someone outside of it who isn’t involved as they may be able to offer you some perspective. This can be particularly useful if you’re finding it difficult to make sense of things. The behaviour we’ve become used to can seem quite clearly unreasonable to an objective outsider.
Counselling can be a helpful way to begin to understand where any abusive behaviour might be coming from and how you can work together to move towards a more mutually respectful and healthy relationship. Alternatively, it may be a way to find support whilst dealing with an abusive situation, or to process what has happened.
Why Choose Horizon Counselling?
Experienced Counsellors
We offer an impartial, safe space to talk about your experiences, concerns, worries, and fears without judgement. You will be listened to and supported each step of the way. Our team of experienced counsellors are dedicated to providing compassionate and professional support for abuse. We offer a sensitive, evidence-based approach, to offer you choice, to help you process your experiences and find your own solutions.
Personalised Abuse Therapy
Anyone who has experienced abuse, in any form, will benefit from emotional support to process their experiences. We understand that everyone’s experience with abuse is unique and thus their needs will vary. Our personalised approach is designed to empower you to making decisions, both in the therapy room, and outside. This collaborative approach is designed to meet your specific needs, supporting you to better understanding the patterns of abuse, to have autonomy, and break the cycle of abusive relationships and behaviours.
Safe and Confidential Environment
Therapy is not just about recounting the events that took place. In fact, this can be very unsettling for some individuals, and so we ensure you are feeling safe before making any disclosures. Sharing your experiences can be profoundly helpful when trying to make sense of things. The critical aspect of healing is finding your voice, being heard, respected, understood, and validated. This alone can help begin the process of building trust, reducing feelings of shame and isolation. We prioritise creating a safe and confidential space where you can discuss your experiences without fear of judgment. We are committed to helping you reclaim your power.
Benefits of Abuse Counselling
- Emotional Healing: Telling your story can offer you the chance to come to terms with what has happened, regain, or perhaps gain for the first time, a sense of self-agency and self-understanding. This provides the opportunity to create a more coherent narrative in your mind that makes sense to you.
- Supportive Therapeutic Environment: A safe space to work through difficult and painful experiences. To be met with patience, and sensitivity and feel more connected, heard, and understood. Within the therapeutic relationship, you may begin to see a way out and escape from the cycle of powerlessness.
- Coping Strategies: Counselling encourages self-empowerment and resilience building. Discover healthy ways to process and express your feelings and understand your options for moving forward. Develop skills to ground yourself and manage the emotional impact of abuse. Increase self-awareness, communication, and emotional regulation.
- Improved Mental Health: Reduce feelings of isolation, sadness, shame, self-blame, anger, anxiety, and depression. Reconnect with your internal power and self-compassion. Develop healthy boundaries with yourself and others. Counselling can help to restore a sense of safety and trust in others. Hope for the future can be held whilst navigating the shattering experiences of abuse and re-examine your vision of the world. Your potential for growth, happiness and connection can begin to be seen.
