Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual Gestalt Therapy

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.

Gestalt Therapy, Somatic Transformation, Body Centred Psychotherapy

Gestalt Therapy helps clients to understand the connection between their physical bodies and emotional states. When a person understands their internal motivations, it is easier to understand the external behaviours and reactions. Gestalt Therapy can help a client to develop that awareness through self-discovery. It will empower a client to develop coping skills to help him or her through stressful situations.

Gestalt Therapy beliefs that we all have all the answers within us, and it can help us to develop a greater sense of acceptance, of ourselves and of other people. As such, Gestalt Therapy can help people to improve relationships, improve decision making and gain confidence. It is a useful approach for dealing with a range of psychological issues, including PTSD, addiction, anxiety, tension and depression.

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

Body centered psychotherapy is sometimes referred to as somatic psychotherapy. It combines a range of approaches that promote psychological health while considering the body's role in healing and life experience. People often repress the impulses, emotions and feelings that form part of our experiences, and body centered psychotherapy opens up their understanding and experience of these aspects.

This form of therapy offers a level of healing that is not often experienced in conventional talk therapy. The conscious controls verbal expression and maintenance of muscular tension. Those functions anchor and reinforce a person's characterological responses to their environment. Body centered psychotherapy helps patients to become aware of their physiological sensations, impulses and emotions to gain greater control over their thoughts and behaviours.

A body centered psychotherapy therapist will guide the client to increase body awareness to become conscious of their movements, breathing, and the way in which they speak.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers body centered psychotherapy therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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

Paula Wise

M.A., RCC
Paula is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. She has extensive knowledge and experience working with people... Read more

Paul Griggs

M.C., RCC
Working with a counsellor can help support you through the challenges of life and can help reveal opportunities for making positive changes. It's a collaborative process that can often lead to improved moods, better... Read more

Dana Millar

M.Couns., CCC
Hello and Welcome! I'm Dana. I support individuals to overcome anxiety and depression, low self-esteem and poor body image and relationship/intimacy issues. I also have specialized training in PTSD and... Read more

Carol Whaley

M.S.W., RSW
We are all on our own individual, unique personal journey through life. There is no one right way to heal or one single approach to therapy. There are various issues that come up in life, from every day life... Read more

Mary Gillis

M.A., RCC
**** Please note that my practice is full at this time; Feel free to email if you'd like to be added to a waitlist. **** Mary Gillis is a registered clinical counsellor who is meeting with her clients... Read more

Eva DeHaas

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Eva DeHaas, Registered Psychologist (#2074) Eva brings warmth, compassion, and self-awareness to the therapy room. She draws from a broad skill set ranging from shorter term, skill based interventions to more in-... Read more

Faye Shedletzky

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
Are you a highly sensitive person or empath struggling with anxiety, overwhelm or grief as you navigate your days?  These are complicated times and you are not alone in this struggle.  It is possible to find... Read more

Lisa Woolgar

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
If you're suffering through a loss, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed or stuck, I'm an Registered Clinical Counsellor who specializes in helping people navigate even their most challenging emotions, felt... 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

Helen Ritchie

M.Ed., CCC
Helen Ritchie is  a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist Supervisor,  and EMDR Therapist who sees children, youth,adults and parents in Vancouver.  Play Therapy... Read more

Kirsten Noack

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
 I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, located in East Vancouver, on Commerial Drive in Vancouver. I work often with deep feelers, or highly sensitive people and neurodivergent folks,... Read more

Tami Amit

M.A., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and EMDR Practitioner with extensive training and experience in the field of Counselling, Coaching and Personal... 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

Youki Kato

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and a certified Expressive Arts Therapist. I have expertise in helping people who have experienced Domestic Violence or are... Read more

Margaret Brennan

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
Hello. My name is Maggie and I am a Registered Psychologist offering virtual services in BC.  As a fellow human being I understand how messy, challenging and painful life can be. Drawing on my training and... Read more

Ross Laird

Ph.D., RCC
Ross Laird, PhD RCC is a consultant to organizations on themes of personal development, well-being, and whole-person learning. He has worked extensively in the fields of addiction, interpersonal conflict, trauma,... Read more

Grant McMahon

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 11135) and psychotherapist working in Vancouver.  I can help you if you are struggling with low mood, depression, anxiety/panic, or problems in your marriage or intimate... Read more

Susan Baum

Ph.D., R.Psych
"When we are no longer able to change a situation—we are challenged to change ourselves." Victor Frankl To have my clients take up the challenge to change—that is the power I try to help... Read more

Ishtar Beck

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
My practice is located in East Van on Commercial Drive. I am currently welcoming folks mostly for in-person appointments. Whether in person or remotely, when interacting with me you will find a supportive space... Read more

Begum Ozeke

MCP, RCC
Welcome! I support individuals and couples through a wide range of challenging issues and specialize in culturally-sensitive Trauma treatment. I have extensive training and experience working with adult survivors of... Read more
    • Online booking
My priorities as a therapist: Share my knowledge and insights gathered over my 30 years as a therapist, as well as recent training in Somatic Psychotherapy,  to enhance my client's experience in therapy... Read more

Ben Bjorgaard

Ph.D. (cand), RCC
By addressing troubling thoughts and feelings, self-sabotaging behaviors, and traumas, life can be made more manageable, productive, and fulfilling. Feelings such as grief, shame, anxiety, sadness, and anger often... Read more

Laura Bowie

M.Couns., RCC
Counseling is a place for tending to the self. It can help to expand your vision of who you are and how you work in the world. If you are curious about yourself, it can be a journey inward that opens up many... 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

Naomi Kolinsky

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you finding it hard to get past events that happened to you long ago? Do you find yourself turning to food, alcohol, drugs, or relationships to escape painful feelings and cope with your life? Do you find... Read more

Katherine Kortikow

M.Ed., CCC
I have been in the helping profession for over 30 years and have experience working in a variety of therapeutic and clinical settings. I have been in private practice for 26 of those 30+ years.... Read more

Sanela Jakovljev

M.Couns., RCC
Are you tired of waking up to chronic pain each day, struggling to convey spoon theory to those who don't understand, or feeling dismissed by professionals who should be there to help? As a registered clinical... Read more

Carole Gaato

Ph.D., R.Psych
With more than 20 years experience as a psychotherapist, I sometimes lose touch with just how daunting the task of finding your "right" therapist can be. Just so you know, as registered psychologists and... 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

Renee Bartkiewicz

M.A., RCC
  Renee Bartkiewicz is both a Registered Clinical Counsellor and an Art Therapist. In her inclusive, creative, and collaborative practice, she sees individuals that present with a variety of  issues... Read more