Experiencing an abusive domestic relationship can be one of the most challenging experiences a person can live through. When a relationship shows signs of violence or abuse, please know that you have the right to leave in order to safeguard yourself. These difficult experiences are not your fault, and resources like therapy may help you overcome the mental and emotional turmoil that can result from being a survivor of domestic violence. It can be possible to find this type of professional help through local support groups, crisis counseling centers, hotlines, and shelters for domestic violence survivors. Online therapy platforms can be another way to get the support you deserve.
Therapy for domestic abuse and violence
Experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence can leave a person feeling afraid, trapped, and hopeless. Luckily, you may take a deep breath and consider how domestic violence counseling can help many people who have been victims of this tragedy. Domestic violence counseling can be important for people who are currently in abusive relationships and those who have been able to leave but are finding it difficult to heal and move forward. If you are searching for help or wondering, “Where can I find domestic violence counseling near me?” you’ve come to the right place. This is not a path you have to walk alone.
Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and The Family Justice Center Alliance are available to help survivors of domestic violence through counseling services and referrals. You can take a deep breath and consider how domestic violence counseling can help many people who have been impacted by intimate partner abuse. A hotline can also help you with family justice-related needs like filing restraining orders and completing police reports.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic abuse is not always limited to acts of physical violence that leave visible marks or scars. Other forms of abuse that survivors may recognize include:
- Verbal abuse: criticizing, humiliating, name-calling, and playing mind games with a partner
- Indirect abuse: making a partner to feel scared by giving menacing looks, abusing family pets, yelling, or making gestures that mimic violence
- Creating fear: using threats to keep a partner under control, including threats of physical violence, suicide*, abandonment, or blackmail
If you’re searching for domestic violence counseling, your options may include the following:
- Chatting online with or calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Reaching out to local support groups
- Finding a therapist in your town or the surrounding area
- Calling a crisis counseling center or local shelter for survivors of domestic violence
Domestic violence shelters and counseling centers around the country may offer therapy, sometimes free of charge or at discounted rates, to those trying to leave or recover from abusive relationships.
Online domestic violence and abuse counseling
As many as one in four women and one in nine men experience domestic violence each year in the United States. If you or someone you love is a target of domestic violence, please remember that you are not alone, and there is hope. As the COVID-19 pandemic has frequently ramped up the pressure in domestic situations, more individuals have begun to rely on online mental health support services. If you think that counseling with a mental health professional could help you, please don’t hesitate to reach out for the support and guidance you deserve.
Online therapy can be discreet and flexible, so you may schedule sessions at a time that works for you without having to travel to an appointment or inform your partner. You can choose how to connect with a compassionate mental health professional via video chat, phone call, or in-app messaging. If you are experiencing a living situation that feels unsafe or unsustainable, a supportive online therapist may provide you with the guidance and encouragement you need to make a positive change.
The traditional method of domestic violence counseling has generally been in-person counseling, but this may be changing in favor of internet-based interventions. Although research on the efficacy of online therapy for survivors of domestic violence is currently limited, studies report that online interventions often show promise. Online therapy, in general, can be as effective as traditional in-office therapy in treating various mental health disorders and is often helpful for those experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD due to domestic violence.
If you are in crisis from domestic violence or want to learn more about therapy, please do not hesitate to call the hotlines below:
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) – 1-800-656-4673
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
- NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – 1-800-950-6264, for more information: info@nami.org, or visit their Facebook Page.
Counselor reviews
Here are reviews from BetterHelp users who survived domestic violence and found support from online counselors:
"Larry was great at holding space for me to talk about the trauma I experienced from domestic violence and stalking. He was also sensitive to the fact that it was an LGBTQ relationship. I highly recommend Larry to anyone who needs to work through trauma or abusive relationships."
"Sara has been so supportive and helpful to me. She’s helping me recognize my self-worth and building my confidence after walking away from an abusive relationship. It’s so helpful knowing that she is on the other end of a message and believes in me every step of the way."