Our therapists offer domestic violence therapy in Alexandria, VA

Domestic Violence Counseling in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)

The reality that happens inside of a home does not always match the presentation outside of the home. Leaving a violent relationship is much harder than it seems. Often, victims need the support of family, friends, and a skilled therapist to find the safety they need.

The therapists at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) understand how to support people who are experiencing domestic violence. We know what it takes to navigate the dangers and find a place of safety. Reach out today for help.

Domestic Abuse: A Serious Situation

A person’s home should be the safest place in the world, but for many, their homes are the most unsafe places to be. Domestic abuse has turned their homes into a place of verbal, physical, and/or sexual violence that may or may not explode at any moment. Violence and the environment if fosters have long-term, serious effects upon their victims. Living in an abusive environment means the body’s fight-or-flight system that naturally responds to danger is engaged often, if not at all times.

The body’s natural response to danger, “is wonderful if you’re in a forest and there’s a bear,” said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris. “But the problem is what happens when the bear comes home every night, and this system is activated over and over and over again, and it goes from being adaptive, or life-saving, to maladaptive, or health-damaging.” When it senses danger, the brain releases cortisol and adrenalin, stress hormones that help the body respond to the threat. However, when these hormones are released too often, they have detrimental effects upon people’s health.

Thus, domestic violence victims face the immediate health problems of injures from the abuse, but also the continuing effects of their toxic, threatening home life.

Am I in a Harmful Relationship?

Just as there is often a pattern to domestic violence, there are also early warning signs that a relationship is not healthy or safe. Seemingly odd behaviors that are the first warnings of domestic violence usually center around the idea of control: one partner wants to control what the other thinks, wears, says, does, feels, and more. If the person you are in a relationship with exhibits any of these common signals of future domestic violence, it may be time to seek help.

• Prohibiting (or showing irritation when) you spend time with family or friends
• Calling you derogatory names (even in “jest”)
• Subtly putting you down or being defensive about your talents/abilities
• Threatening you
• Coercing you into sex or sexual acts when you have said, “no,” or where you feel uncomfortable
• Harming you, your kids, or your pets
• Dissuading you from going to school or working
• Trying to take away agency, the ability to make decisions—such as what to wear, how to spend money, where to go, and more
• Blaming/criticizing you for their behavior

Scheduling Counseling for Domestic Violence at Thriveworks Alexandria

Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) counselors understand the dynamics of domestic violence, and they know how to guide victims through pitfalls and dangers of a harmful relationship.

When you reach out to Thriveworks Alexandria, VA know that a person will answer your call and be able to schedule your appointment for counseling. You may even be able to see your therapist within the same week. We accept many insurance plans and offer convenient, after-hour appointments because we want to see our clients receive the help they need.

Has an abusive cycle caught you in its trap? Know that it is not your fault and know that we are here to help. Call Thriveworks Alexandria today.