Abuse Counselling and Psychotherapy at Harley Therapy™ London
How Can Counselling Help with Abuse?
For those who have suffered the pain and devastation of abuse, it can be extremely hard to confide in those around you the painful memories and unwarranted feelings of guilt, shame and anger that you may be experiencing. Instead, you may carry the heavy weight of these memories and emotions inside making life seem simply unbearable. However, counselling and psychotherapy can offer you a safe space to talk through abusive memories and discuss how they are affecting you in the present. Your therapist can provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment to help you to deal with the intensity of emotion as you walk through painful memories. They can also equip you with new perspectives and tools to help you develop healthier coping strategies, and provide you with the reassurance to deal with flashbacks and nightmares that keep the pain of abuse alive. The journey to overcoming abuse is a difficult one, and it may be the case that it has to become harder before it gets better, but no matter the circumstance your therapist can support you through every step, empowering you so that you are able to move on and live life without such devastating burdens.
Benefits of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Help process traumatic events in safety and confidence
- Deal with the by-product of trauma and abuse including nightmares and flashbacks
- Relieve accompanying symptoms such as depression, anxiety and low confidence
- Develop tailor-made coping strategies to deal with the effects of abuse
At Harley Therapy London, our therapists have extensive training and experience in supporting those who have suffered abuse and can help you begin your journey towards a happier life. Additionally, if you wish to combine counselling and psychotherapy with medication we can refer you to our private consultant psychiatrists to ensure you are in receipt of the best quality of support.
Information Guide to Abuse
Experiencing a traumatic or abusive event can be a devastating and painful experience and can come in a variety of forms. These events can make you feel helpless, and unsafe and can lead to anxiety, depression, panic attacks and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people who have experienced abuse believe they must have done something wrong and so deserved the treatment they experienced leading to intense feelings of shame and guilt. They may also feel afraid, worthless and unable to form trusting relationships with others. These feelings can cause devastation in the life of the individual leading to problems in relationships, employment and health.
Types of Abuse
Abuse can come in many forms, and can affect the whole spectrum of society. Men, women and children can all be victims of abuse and can therefore all feel the devastating consequences of such traumatic events. If you have suffered from abuse of any kind including the types of abuse listed below, you may benefit from counselling and psychotherapy.
- Physical Abuse: Physical abuse constitutes acts of physical violence such as hitting, shaking, burning, choking and other actions that can cause physical injury to the body. Mugging can also be constituted as physical abuse.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse covers actions of a sexual nature such as rape, sexual assault, or forms of child abuse.
- Emotional Abuse: This can be the most difficult to identify because there are usually no outward signs of abuse. Emotional abuse constitutes actions such as being criticised constantly, threatened, bullied, dismissed, or being yelled at. Emotional abuse can be just as painful and damaging as physical abuse.
- Neglect: Neglect can occur when adequate food, housing, clothing or medical care is not provided for example in childhood. Additionally, emotional neglect happens when support, love and attention are not provided.
Self-Help Reading Suggestions from Harley Therapy London - on Abuse Counselling
You may be interested in reading these two books, which provide an insightful and practical approach to abuse:
- ‘Overcoming Childhood Trauma: A Self Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques’ (2000) by Dr. Helen Kennerley
- ‘The Survivor’s Guide: To Recovery from Rape and Sexual Abuse’ (2005) by Robert Kelly, Fay Maxted, Elizabeth Campbell.
Disclaimer: All material on this website is provided for your information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or other healthcare professional. Harley Therapy - Psychotherapy and Counselling London is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this website. Always consult your own GP if you have any concerns regarding your mental or physical health.
Reviewed & updated: August 2011
