Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual, Intimacy Issues Counsellors

Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual, Intimacy Issues

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.

Intimacy issues are common for people who fear vulnerability. Some people can become vulnerable in front of a few trusted friends, however, but when a relationship starts becoming too close, they feel suffocated. In this sense, the intimacy issues are seated in the fear of developing a deep and meaningful relationship with another person.

Two fears that are at the heart of intimacy issues, are the fear of abandonment (fearing the partner might leave them) and the fear of engulfment (fearing that they would lose themselves in a relationship), which sometimes co-exist. These fears, often rooted in childhood traumas, are often deeply entrenched in codependent adult relationships where they cause friction.

A therapist who works with people who have intimacy issues will first help you to learn to become comfortable with yourself and accept yourself for who you are. You will explore the complex past events that have created these intimacy issues and discover that those events don't have to cloud your present experiences.

This process is essential in discovering that rejection does not have to be a traumatic experience. Finally, you will learn how to set personal boundaries that will help you to avoid the fear of engulfment and to cope, should abandonment occur. While healing intimacy issues can be a challenging and somewhat painful task, the rewards are incredible.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who addresses intimacy issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

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

Carly Goodfellow

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
*I am pleased to offer online Videoconferencing for counselling and hypnotherapy appointments.* You are not alone. Are you struggling with your feelings day after day? Do you feel life is harder that it... Read more

Joanne Duma

Ed.D., R.Psych
** Please note that my practice is currently full and that I'm not accepting new clients at this time. ** Dr. Duma is a registered psychologist who completed her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the... 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

Mary Kwan

M.Sc., RCC
Whether you are feeling depressed anxious, wanting to talk to someone, or to work out your inner issues so that you can be a happy person, I am here to help. Feeling stuck in your family relations, you can still live... Read more

Clara Morgan

M.S.W., RSW
Clara is an RSW and an RCC.  She is a therapist who provides a safe, non-judgmental, and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming space for all of her clients to share and explore their stories. She is compassionate and... Read more

Steven Lake

M.Ed., CCC
Dr. Lake has a PhD in Educational Administration. He has a personal interest in emotion and crisis management and created a Model Of Effective Crisis Management for his dissertation. His Master's degree is in... Read more

Sarah Levine

M.Ed., RCC
Welcome.  Counselling is very personal and it is important to have a good "fit" between you and your counsellor.  My reputation is for being kind, respectful and perceptive.  I... Read more

Carolyn Heppner

M.Ed., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling for Trauma/EMDR, Anxiety and more Facing difficult times personally or in your relationship with your partner? I can help. I believe in providing practical tools... Read more

Sarah Anne Trivett

M.C., RCC
    • Blog on profile
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a passion for helping individuals, couples and multi-person relationships connect to themselves and each other through a creative blend of Internal Family... Read more

Bradley Murray

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
Dr. Murray is a psychoanalyst and Registered Clinical Counsellor based in North Vancouver who has been in private practice for 11 years. He offers consultations and therapy for individuals living on the North Shore and... 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

Lindsay Stewart

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Article(s) on profile
At the heart of Integrative Psychotherapy is a respectful and sensitive attunement to the client’s inner world. This helps create a foundation of safety and trust on which all other work in therapy is built. As... Read more

Priscilla Amaral

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Are you experiencing challenging life events that have left you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and in need of balance? Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, relationships, transitions, depression, grief,... 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

Tasha Davidson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, First, I recognize how challenging starting the process of counselling may be. Whether it feels like the problem is too big, no one will understand or 'maybe it's not that big of a deal,' I want you... Read more

Joe Ramirez

M.Couns., CCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Joe Ramirez, owner of ClearCounselling.ca, is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and an Adlerian psychotherapist with a Master of Counselling Psychology, providing Individual Counselling, Couples Counselling, and Sex... Read more

Norma Hoeppner

M.S.W., RSW
In private practice since 2007, Norma has been a dynamic clinical therapist across diverse health settings since 1989. Currently she practices with Clear Counselling Inc. in Vancouver, as well as an office through... Read more

Shauna Cheney

M.S.W., RSW
If you want to change your life, therapy is a great way to start. I help people develop coping skills to manage complicated thoughts and emotions. With 22 years of experience, I provide a supportive and... Read more

Joelle Lazar

M.A., RCC
I love my work, and am passionate about helping people have more joy and fulfillment in their lives and relationships! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with extensive training and experience providing... 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

Ksenia Belova

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people desiring stronger, deeper and more fulfilling relationships with themselves, and with other people. If you're struggling to feel well and to live the life you want, you may feel cut off from your... 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

Toni Pieroni

M.A., RCC
I believe that healing, growth and development occur within the context of relationship. Therefore, choosing the right therapist is a critical aspect of the therapeutic process. I bring over 40 years of personal... Read more

Lucy Snider

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you looking for sex therapy, relationship therapy or couples counselling? Are you struggling with a sexual problem and don't know who to talk to? Are you having difficulties in your current relationship or are... Read more

Peter M Williamson PhD

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Peter Williamson is one of only 7 officially Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapists in the province of B.C. (at time of this writing - 9/2017). Although extensively trained and with 25+ years of expertise... Read more

Elisa-Maria Chong

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Our lives each contain moments of great joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure, opportunity, and obstacle. At the center of these experiences is our innate search for connection. We need relationships, they are precious and... Read more

Will Bratt

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Looking for a counsellor whose approach is concrete and accessible? My approach to therapy is conversational, laid back, and client-directed. That means you only talk about what's important to you, and work... 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

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

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