Counselling services

Abuse Counselling

Recovery from abuse is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to support you through your abuse recovery journey and help you overcome your trauma.

Reach out to us to book a session today.

What is Abuse Recovery Therapy?

Abuse recovery therapy can help you mentally recover from domestic abuse inflicted by your current or ex-partner, family member, or another person in your life.

As a survivor of abuse, you may be in different stages of the abuse recovery journey. If you’re still trapped in an abusive relationship, therapy can help you find the strength to leave or escape the abusive situation. If you’ve already freed yourself from your abuser, therapy can help you heal from abuse-related trauma.

Types of Abuse

In acquaintanceships, friendships, familial, or intimate relationships, there are a variety of different types of abuse that can occur.

Emotional Abuse

Also known as psychological abuse, emotional abuse refers to when an emotional abuser attempts to scare, isolate or control you. In an emotionally abusive relationship, the emotionally abused person may experience verbal abuse or name-calling, threats, guilt-tripping, dismissiveness and belittlement of their emotions, and more. These are just a few of the many signs that could indicate that you are experiencing emotional abuse.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is abuse related to your physical health and is often referred to as domestic violence. If your abuser has caused you physical pain, the trauma from this abuse can also have psychological consequences. After you have healed your physical wounds, therapy can help heal your mental and emotional wounds.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assault involves any type of sexual act or behaviour that was performed without consent. Sometimes it can be difficult to come to terms with physical and sexual abuse, especially if you have a close relationship with your abuser. Therapy for sexually abused individuals can help address the trauma of sexual violence.

Narcissistic Abuse

Narcissistic abuse is a type of abuse that is inflicted by an abuser who suffers from narcissism. Narcissistic abuse recovery is unique because it involves overcoming manipulation and rebuilding your self-esteem and worth. Healing after a narcissistic relationship may involve learning to set boundaries and rebuilding your sense of self.

Common Signs of an Abusive Relationship

Abusive relationships can come in many different forms. While it can help to recognize some common signs, it’s always best to trust your instincts. If you feel like something is wrong, it’s time to seek professional help.

Some of the most common signs of an abusive relationship include:

They control where you go and who you see
They monitor your phone and social media
They control what you wear
They isolate you from your friends and family
They criticize you constantly
They have violent outbursts
They make you feel like you’re unworthy of love

They destroy your possessions
They steal or take control of your money
They threaten to use violence against you
They purposefully push, hit, or use other physical force against you
They touch you without your consent
They harm people that you love or care about
They blame you for their abusive behaviour

Consequences of Abuse Trauma

Those who have experienced or are currently experiencing abuse are subject to various symptoms that can impact daily life, including:

How Abuse Can Affect Your Mental Health

Survivors of abuse-related trauma tend to have negative thoughts and are more likely to develop a mental illness. If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or an eating disorder due to your abusive relationship, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

Negative emotions and feelings of self-judgment, anxiety, guilt, and shame are normal, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can improve your mental health, see your self-worth, and heal from your trauma.

Why You Should Seek Help with Abuse Recovery

Many abuse victims remain silent due to fear, shame, and isolation. However, seeking help is not shameful. We want you to feel empowered by your decision to take charge of your well-being. Seeking help for abuse is often the best way to escape a dangerous or unhealthy situation and to start rebuilding the person you want and deserve to be.

Our Approach to Therapy for Abuse Victims

At Can’t We Just Get Along Counselling, our therapists have years of experience and expertise in helping survivors through the abuse recovery process and healing journey.

Each therapist’s top priority is to provide support with a focus on empathy and sensitivity so you always feel safe and comfortable in our care.

To treat abuse, we find that body therapy is usually more effective than talk therapy. We often recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to help survivors overcome abuse-related trauma.

Our other treatment methods include:

If needed, we can also consult with your doctor to provide medical advice and support for your abuse symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or beta-blockers to help you manage anxiety symptoms.

Get the Help You Need to Recover After Abuse

We’re so proud you’ve decided to begin the self-care and healing process. Now it’s time to take the next step towards getting the support you need to overcome your trauma.

Get in touch with us today to book your first abuse recovery therapy session.

Book An Appointment For Abuse Therapy

Our Abuse Counselling is led by highly-trained registered psychologists from our office in Calgary, Alberta.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Most Effective Way to Recover From Abuse?

One of the most effective ways to recover from abuse is to get abuse counselling. Abuse counselling therapists will help you work through the traumas and experiences you've faced and provide you with coping strategies and skills to help you have a safer, healthier, and more secure future.

When Should One Seek Help for Domestic Abuse?

Victims of domestic abuse, including children and adults, should seek help as soon as possible. If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies as domestic abuse, contact a crisis line for guidance. Remember that seeking help after a domestic dispute is a sign of strength, and many resources are available to help you feel safe and secure during this difficult time.

Are there any Crisis Intervention Lines for People Experiencing Abuse?

Yes. If you or your loved one is experiencing any form of violence in Alberta, you can call the following crisis lines:

Family Violence Information Line: 1-780-310-1818 (toll-free, 24/7, multilingual service available)
Support and Information Line: 403–237–5888
Alberta Abuse Helpline: 1-855-443-5722
Alberta 24/7 Community and Social Services Helpline: 211
Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence: 1-866-403-8000
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437
Distress Line: 780-482-4357
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Parent Information Line: 1-866-714-5437
Seniors Abuse Helpline: 780-454-8888

If you’re looking for more available services or currently reside in a different Canadian province or territory, please refer to the Government of Canada website.

What are the Consequences of Staying in an Abusive Relationship?

Staying in an abusive relationship can greatly impact the emotional, physical, and mental health of the victim. Some consequences of staying in an abusive relationship include:

Physical health issues
Emotional trauma
Isolation from friends and family
Financial dependence

It’s important to note that all of these consequences can vary depending on the person and the severity and form of the abuse they are facing. If you’re struggling to leave your abuser, please reach out for support.

Can you get Domestic Abuse Treatment for Someone Else?

If someone you know is experiencing abuse, you can provide them with violence prevention resources or recommend counselling to let them know you're worried about them. They may need help seeking support, and although you can't force them to get help, your actions may give them the courage to leave their situation and seek help from a professional.

Do You Ever Recover From Abuse?

Yes, recovery after abuse is possible, and abuse doesn’t have to rule your life forever. With individual counselling from the right therapist, many survivors have become free from their abuser and have gone on to have the healthy relationships they deserve.

Can You Get PTSD From Abuse?

Yes, PTSD can originate from any type of abuse and is typically more complex than PTSD from other traumatic events. Often, PTSD is caused by a single event like a car crash. However, PTSD due to abuse is often caused by an ongoing cycle of trauma.

Typically, PTSD from abuse requires more treatment, but that does not mean it is incurable. You can recover from PTSD due to abuse and go on to live a better, healthier life.

What Is The Cycle Of Abuse?

In an abusive relationship, abuse tends to occur in a cycle. It starts with building tension, followed by the abusive incident, and then periods of reconciliation, calmness or false normalcy (AKA. the honeymoon phase). This cycle can make it difficult for victims to seek help. Abusers may promise the abuse will never happen again, but it almost always does, and the cycle of abuse continues.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s important to seek help, even when things seem calm. Abusers will almost always repeat their abusive behaviour unless they have undergone extensive therapy themselves.

How Long Does It Take To Heal From Abuse?

Healing from trauma is a process that varies from person to person. Some people may take months to overcome their trauma, while others may take years. The extent of the abuse can also affect how long it takes to heal.

No matter the length of your healing process, it’s important to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and support is there for you when you’re ready.