Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual EMDR

Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual

The area of abuse counselling includes both physical, emotional and sexual abuse therapy effectively conducted in a safe and caring environment. While not visible on the outside, emotional abuse is also a form of assault which, if left untreated, can leave lifelong emotional scars. Abusers often use intimidation to create guilt and fear to make the victim feel ashamed and isolated from other people.
 
● The symptoms of physical abuse are usually the easiest to see, with victims making excuses for scars and bruises.
● Children who are sexually abused will often have an age-inappropriate knowledge of sexuality and may even suffer from sexualy transmitted diseases, or pregnancy.
● Emotional abuse often goes hand-in-hand with either sexual, and or physical abuse. The victim will usually display a poor self-esteem, anxiety, withdrawal from social interactions, lack of trust, pessimism, and suicide attempts, to name but a few.
 
Abuse is often carried through generations, causing victims to become abusers, too. However, abuse can be stopped.
 
Therapists in this directory use a range of approaches to address abuse victims to deal with their fears, anxiety and feelings of shame. They can also help perpetrators to put an end to the abuse.  Psychologists and counsellors utilize a variety of approaches to help victims  heal from sexual, emotional or physical abuse. Couples,  group and family therapy can often be helpful.
 
If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of abuse, you can search through the list of names below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

EMDR, Family Systems

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers EMDR Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Family Systems therapy is a type of counselling specific to helping interpersonal relationships within a family system. Family Systems counselling is facilitated by marriage and family therapists who work with the various family combinations, including siblings, couples, parent and child, or step families.

The principle of family systems counselling is to help each individual to first learn to understand his or her own emotions, and how to manage interpersonal relationships effectively, as that influences all future relationships. Once family members understand themselves and the emotional system within the family, it is easier to be flexible in relationships with family  members, marriages, community, school and other relationships.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Family Systems Therapies, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Ian Bond

M.A., RCC
Ian has over 25 years of education, training, and experience in counselling and therapy.  He works together with clients to help them explore relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, which... Read more

Tania Zulkoskey

M.S.W., RCSW
Video/Telephone Sessions Available. Tania counsels individuals, children and couples on issues such as:  relationship dynamics  communication issues  parenting and multiples  ... Read more

Joy Schellenberg

M.A., RCC
Are you tired of feeling stuck or dissatisfied with how your life is going?  Maybe you’ve been struggling for awhile. You’re fed up or overwhelmed and you don’t know where to turn. It... Read more

Maya Misic

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
Since 2002, I’ve helped my clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. I am here to help my clients achieve a more... Read more

Rachel Braund

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. NO REFERRAL NECESSARY.  Do you feel like you are crumbling on the inside, trying to hold it all together; meanwhile you feel tense or just "off"? Did you dig deep to move past a... Read more

Ayesha Omar

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Healing is one of the bravest choices we can make for ourselves. My experience in working with clients who have lived through trauma has afforded me a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, and how we can... Read more

Donna Vidas

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Some issues I regularly work with in therapy include: Overcoming recent or life-long patterns that may be interfering with your enjoyment of life resolving traumatic experiences managing life transitions... Read more

Jill Arnold

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Clients describe me as straightforward and kind while being practical, effective and patient. I am available to help you through a secure virtual platform or on the telephone. I want you to feel better. In... Read more

Johanna Abraham

M.S.W., RSW
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and 25 years of professional experience helping individuals, couples and families from a range of backgrounds deal with a variety challenges. As well as providing counseling... Read more

Darcee Cooper

M.S.W., RSW
I am both a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and have been practicing as a social worker since 2002.  I have extensive experience working with: trauma, chronic medical... Read more

Andria Wrench

M.A., RCC
As a counsellor in the Vancouver and New Westminster areas since 1993, my practice has included working with individuals and groups (in person and online) who are managing a wide variety of challenges that have... Read more

Martine Charles

Ph.D., RCC
I have over 25 years experience in providing individual counselling to adult women and men. I offer counselling for a wide variety of difficulties including trauma (recent and past), anxiety, depression, addictions... Read more

Penney Hartsen

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Video on profile
Life is difficult. We all struggle at times and need help to find our way. This is a safe place to sit with our doubts and insecurities...no judgement... on the way to healing and developing into the person you most... Read more

Lizelle Badenhorst

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I have a passion for exploring and finding the power of our minds to help us heal. I immigrated to Canada in my early thirties and have experienced loss in my life. These experiences have shaped who I am as a person and... Read more

Miriam Balen

M.S.W., RCSW
My name is Miriam Balen and I am a Registered Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree. I provide counselling to people ages 13 through to adults of all ages. I established my private practice in 2012... Read more

Heather Bach

M.A., CCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
For over 20 years, Heather Bach of Bach Counselling Group brings clinical expertise to working with those who wish to make a positive change in relationships, intimacy, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, ADHD... Read more

Amy Rappaport

M.S.W., RCC
Welcome! I work with people experiencing a variety of life transitions and life struggles.  A stressful life event, life change, or a recent loss can make it feel like your bottom has fallen out from under... Read more

Mandy Rai

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who uses a collaborative and person-centred approach to support clients in their journey toward self-discovery and healing. I offer a range of treatment options from a trauma-... Read more

Mark Giesbrecht

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Do you need professional help to make changes that will improve your life or relationships?  Mark Giesbrecht is currently offering online video therapy through a secure online portal made for... Read more
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Feeling lost, misunderstood, stuck? I have been there. Besides being an experienced therapist, I am also a child of divorce, immigrant, wife, and mother. My own healing journey and continuing professional... Read more

Janice Bell

M.S.W., RCC
Janice has had a private practice for 25 years, twenty of those in Nanaimo.Her office location provides comfort, confidentiality and convenience. Herschedule is structured to meet the needs of clients.Janice... Read more

Amrita Dhoot

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome! Do you come from a family with complex dynamics and feel like people don’t quite understand you? Have these experiences led to you being anxious, and struggling to trust yourself or others? My unique... Read more