Family and Domestic Violence
Counselling for people who have or are experiencing domestic or family violence
Family and domestic violence is a devastating and isolating experience. Even though around 1 in 3 women will experience it in their lifetime, it often feels as though no one understands what we have been through (or are still going through). We know people who are LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, disabled or rural are at even greater risk of experiencing this control and abuse.
When you are in a relationship with someone who uses emotional, psychological, physical, sexual and/or financial violence and control, you begin to doubt yourself. The violence and control is designed to make you doubt yourself, to feel that no one is there for you, that no one will believe you. When this happens, it is harder for you to be confident in yourself, to hold onto your rights and your self-worth.
No one deserves to live like this, but unfortunately so many people do. Leaving the relationship might not be the answer. We know that one of the most dangerous times for a woman is when she leaves. That’s why it is so important to work with the right support.
Through counseling with me at Tap Your Way Home, you will never be made to feel that you should leave the relationship, or that you should have left sooner. I understand that there are so many things you are taking into account to make the decision that will keep you the safest. If you have children and animals, you are doing even more thinking and problem solving.
No matter where you are in your experience of family violence, specialist counselling like with me at Tap Your Way Home can be a really important support. You might have just started seeing someone and are wondering if some seemingly small behaviours are okay or not; you might be in a long-term relationship and wanting to understand what’s happening; you might be thinking about leaving and are not sure if you want to or not; you might have left recently, or a long time ago. Either way, you have experienced some sense of not feeling safe in your body. This might only be when you’re around this person, or you may no longer feel safe in your body even when they are not around at all.
We can work gently together, to understand you and your goals. The start of our work might be helping you feel just a little bit less confused about everything, a little more able to trust yourself, or a bit more confident in the decisions you make. By the time we have finished working together, I am confident that you can feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You will be able to trust yourself, know that what happened was not your fault, and be able to leave what happened in the past where it belongs.
