Domestic Violence

Domestic Abuse is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that is a pervasive life-threatening crime affecting people in all our communities regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, social standing and immigration status. There are many signs of an abusive relationship, and a fear of your partner is the most telling.

Domestic Abuse can be see in a few main categories that are:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse

Physical abuse occurs when physical force is used against you in a way that injures or endangers you. Physical abuse leans more towards the Domestic Violence side where police have the power to protect you from a physical attack. Any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse. Not all abusive relationships involve physical violence. Many men and women suffer from emotional abuse, which is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often minimized or overlooked—even by the person experiencing it.

Abusive behavior that perpetrators use are as followed:

• Dominance
• Humiliation
• Isolation
• Threats
• Intimidation
• Denial and blame

The cycle of abuse:

• Abuse – Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behavior. This treatment is a power play designed to show you “who is boss.”
• Guilt – Your partner feels guilt after abusing you, but not because of their actions. They’re more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for their abusive behavior.
• Excuses – Your abuser rationalizes what they have done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for provoking them—anything to avoid taking responsibility.
• “Normal” behavior – Your partner does everything in their power to regain control and ensure that you’ll stay in the relationship. A perpetrator may act as if nothing has happened, or they might “turn on the charm.” This peaceful honeymoon phase may give you hope that the abuser has really changed this time.
• Fantasy and planning – Your abuser begins to fantasize about repeating the abuse. They spend a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how they’ll make you pay for it. Then they form a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.
• Set-up – Your abuser sets you up and puts their plan in motion, creating a situation where they can justify abusing you.

We offer a number of different therapies and counseling that can help with you or a loved ones concerns with experiencing Domestic Abuse. Trust that you are in good hands. These are our therapists who has been through Domestic Abuse