Counseling for unhealthy or abusive relationships
Support for individuals in Vancouver, Clark County, and WA state
Did your relationship reach a point of crisis, either slowly or all at once, leaving you scared and unsure of what to do now?
Maybe there was a big blowup, leaving you feeling unsafe with your partner or perhaps you have felt forced to give up what is important to you over time to serve this relationship.
You may be wrestling with confusion, wondering if you are the problem after all like your partner purports, despite everything you have tried to appease them, or simply finding yourself dreading coming home to them because you are always walking on eggshells in hopes of preventing the next outburst.
Perhaps you’re feeling like you are starting to go crazy or lose your mind.
Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you’re beginning to notice the impact of this in every facet of your life:
● You have either become good at hiding your emotions for fear of your partner’s reaction or your buttons have been so pushed that you have exploded in anger, which you regret.
● Your work/school performance is starting to go downhill because you are so preoccupied with your troubled relationship.
● You have isolated from others at your partner’s demand (or more subtle hint) or for fear that they will not believe you if you told them what your relationship is really like.
● You are weary of pretending everything is fine in front of others and are riddled with anxiety or depression. And you have lost that spark that makes you you.
Abuse Recovery Counseling can help.
It may feel impossible now, but you can gain clarity regarding your troubled relationship. You can learn to respond to your partner in an effective way that helps you maintain your integrity. You can gain a sense of empowerment to figure out next steps that feel right for you and begin to find yourself again. And I can help you get there.
Abuse Recovery Counseling helps you do 4 things:
● Clear the confusion of your relationship and put accountability in its proper place.
● Validate you so you no longer feel like you are going crazy and can start to trust your gut again.
● Renegotiate healthier boundaries so you can regain a sense of safety and empowerment.
● Learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships so you can confidently move forward.
What our work will look like:
I’ll help through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs and circumstances. My approach to Abuse Recovery Therapy comes from a place of patience and compassion: to gently help you understand what happened in your relationship so you can find safety and begin to heal, on your terms.
You don’t have to lose yourself in an unhealthy or abusive relationship. You can gain a sense of empowerment and identity again.
I can help you get there.
Common questions about Abuse Recovery Counseling:
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I never start by imposing labels. I will gently help you explore the unique dynamics of your relationship experiences so you can gain your own sense of clarity.
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Absolutely not! I never impose any agenda on my clients. Instead, I help them get re-acquainted with what their own gut is telling them. Sometimes that means stay, sometimes that means take a break, sometimes that means leave. Either way, I will help you decide what is right for you and develop a safety plan with you, including taking measures to protect you while we work together.
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Everyone’s situation is different, and I will work with you to determine your individual needs concerning treatment frequency and length. What I have noticed is that navigating the confusion of an unhealthy or abusive relationship takes time and everyone tends to be at a different place. I want to help you get the clarity and tools you need so you can confidently go in the direction that feels right for you.
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You can always schedule a free consultation to see if we would be a good fit. Many of my clients have noticed a big difference between talking with informal supports (e.g., friends, family, ministers) and a trained professional like me when it comes to something so delicate and consequential as figuring out their troubled relationship. I am highly trained in the area of relationship abuse and bring a wealth of personal and professional experience. I have a deep passion to support survivors and have helped many come to a place of safety, empowerment, and healing.
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If you have safety concerns about reaching out to me, it is probably best to leave me a message from a different phone number or an alternative email address; you can also leave a message in code (e.g., wondering if we can visit over coffee next week) and I can respond in like code. At our first appointment you can see for yourself if we would be a good fit and we can discuss any other safety accommodations you might need at that time.
