Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual Somatic Approaches

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.

Somatic Approaches

Somatic approaches to therapy recognize the mind-body connection and focus on addressing psychological issues through bodily experiences. By incorporating techniques such as body awareness, breathwork, and sometines movement, these approaches help individuals access and process stored emotions and trauma. This value lies in their ability to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing.  Some therapies like "somatic experiencing" require specialized training and certification.  Please ask your therapist whether he/she has sprecialize training and in which approaches.

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

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

Kristen Bailey

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
People come to therapy for a variety if reasons, but ultimately there is something you are experiencing in your life that is causing you pain and suffering that you want to address. We all experience pain that stems... Read more

Aditi Jasra

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Are you feeling stuck or lost? Perhaps, you are struggling with overwhelm, confusion or sensing emptiness in your life? Are you looking for some direction or support with your mental health struggles and daily... 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

Aliona Sydorenko

M.Ed., RCC
At the heart of my practice is a belief that bringing light to what pains us, with openness, kindness and compassion, helps us connect to our natural healing capacity. As a counsellor, I bring my knowledge, experience... Read more

Isaac Rosenberg

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #18234) based in Victoria, British Columbia. I work with individuals and couples, in person or online. I bring a holistic approach to my work, and prioritize collaboration... Read more

Robyn Kozak

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Whether it is struggles with trauma, anxiety, pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, relationships, or mood, I support individuals with identifying what they want to be different in their life and co-creating a... Read more

David Renaud

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people experiencing difficult problems. Such problems go by many names, and may be new or old, but all share the common trait of stubbornly obstructing our happiness. You might feel depressed, anxious, or... Read more

Rebecca Shuen

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hello! My name is Rebecca (she/her/they) :) I offer counselling to women, men, non-binary folks, and adults of all gender identities, with a special passion for working with teens. I believe that counselling can be... Read more
Barbara Clay is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#3074) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counselling Psychology. Barb has additional registration with the Crime... Read more

Tara McCaffery

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Tara McCaffery Counsellor, MA, RCC, CCTP Tara received her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Athabasca University and has over 8 years of experience supporting individuals through a variety of life... 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

Gayatri Saikia

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
At A Hopeful Step, I offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share your story and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I firmly believe that the therapeutic process... Read more

Kate Malone

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Maybe you are struggling with anxiety and depression, working on building self-confidence, looking to heal past trauma, facing challenges in your relationships, or just needing a space to talk. I welcome individuals who... Read more

Sophia Van Vuuren

M.A., R.Psych
Sophia holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists in British Columbia, #1659. She has worked in the mental health field as a Clinical Psychologist... 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

Meghan Hodgson

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hello - I'm Meghan, a Registered Clinical Counsellor living and practicing in Vancouver, BC, also known as the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-... Read more

Sho sho O

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTSI) from Hong Kong. I specialize in helping clients heal from traumatic... 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

Molly Mo

M.Ed., RCC
Molly Liwen Mo M.Ed., R.C.C., LCP., CP., TEP My name is Molly. I provide services in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. Call me at 6049159111 or email me to enhance and create the lifestyle... Read more

Maureen McEvoy

M.A., RCC
Maureen McEvoy, MA, RCC has been in private practice for more than 25 years. She works with individuals, couples and groups. Maureen uses Imago Relationship Therapy in her work with couples. As an Imago... Read more

Nathalie Chang

MCP:AT, RCC
I practice an integrative, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approach, including Art Therapy, Somatic Experiencing Therapy, and Mindfulness practice. I am passionate about helping people who have experienced traumas... Read more

Rebecca Berman

B.S.W., RSW
Trauma impacts how we see the world, navigate through our experiences and connect in our relationships.  The lives we live are built upon the lessons we learn in our families, cultures, peer groups, and in the... Read more

Sarajoy David

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Audio on profile
The focus of my service is the teaching of emotional self-care skills.  I draw upon leading edge therapies in facilitating each person's journey to self-awareness, healing and empowerment. This self-exploration... Read more

Sukhi Bal

M.Ed., RCC
Do you dream of feeling more confidence, joy and peace in your life?  Do you feel stuck in old stories and patterns? Are you just plain tired of feeling this way? No matter what you have gone through in your... Read more

Taylor Willis

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
While life can be filled with joy, wonder and new experiences, it can also prove to be stressful, anxiety-provoking and incredibly challenging. These situations can impact our self-worth, mood, our relationships with... Read more

Delyse Ledgard

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
To be understood, seen, feel the comfort of another’s presence is the heart of therapy.  With over 30 years of experience, I have encountered and worked with people from all walks of life helping... Read more

Chelsie Pilon

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you tired of repeating the same limiting patterns in your life? Does anxiety, overwhelm, or depression feel like a constant battle for you? Maybe you feel stuck, confused and alone. My name is Chelsie Pilon, and I... Read more

Gal Rozen

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
My primary area of focus is trauma recovery and neurodiversity, with a focus on deep level processing. My clients tend to have a high level of self-awareness yet may struggle with their emotions and nervous system... Read more
    • Online booking
Through an inclusive, collaborative and trauma-informed lens, Shauna has a vested interest in helping clients learn about stress and related disorders, trauma, and healthy sexuality during various adult life stages so... Read more

Zoe Nichele

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome, I’m Zoe! I work with people seeking freer self-expression, deeper authenticity, and calmer presence in life. The people I work with are often struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or life... Read more