Emotional and Psychological Abuse
In-Person and Virtual Therapy in Shorewood, WI
Emotional and psychological abuse can be difficult to recognize, but it’s impacts are deep and long-lasting.
Emotional and psychological abuse can affect your self-esteem, your trust within relationships, and your overall well-being. If you’ve been through emotional or psychological abuse, whether from a partner, family member, friend, or coworker, it’s important to know that healing is possible. You don’t have to face it alone. Therapy can provide the support you need to heal, rebuild your sense of self, and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Gaslighting: Making you doubt your reality or question your own thoughts and feelings.
Constant Criticism: Putting you down or making you feel like nothing you do is good enough.
Controlling Behavior: Trying to control who you see, what you do, or how you feel.
Blame and Shame: Shifting blame onto you for things that aren’t your fault, making you feel guilty or responsible for their actions.
Silent Treatment: Withholding affection or communication to punish or control you.
Intimidation or Threats: Using threats to control your behavior or instill fear.
Undermining Your Confidence: Making you feel worthless or unimportant, causing you to question your abilities.
Emotional and psychological abuse happens when someone tries to control or manipulate you through their words and actions. It can take many forms, such as:
Here are some common symptoms you may experience after leaving an emotionally or psychologically abusive relationship:
Constant self-doubt, feeling unworthy, or believing you're not enough.
Heightened anxiety or feeling on edge/walking on eggshells.
A sense of hopelessness, sadness, or a lack of energy and motivation.
Difficulty trusting others, even those who are safe.
Feeling disconnected from your emotions or unable to express how you feel.
People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries
Frequently second-guessing, doubting yourself or questioning your own judgment
How we’ll work together to heal:
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We will process your experience alongside gaining psychoeducation on emotional and psychological abuse
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We will work on increasing your self-esteem and confidence
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We will work to rewire the ingrained beliefs you have of yourself due to this experience
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We will understand what your trauma responses are and learn to trust yourself and reconnect with your gut instinct again.
Therapy provides a space where you can begin to heal, gain insight to what you experienced, regain your strength, and create a future where you feel safe, valued, and empowered.