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Abuse Counseling

ABUSE COUNSELING

Lacamas Counseling Serves Vancouver, Camas, Washougal Washington and the surrounding areas

Abuse refers to a person’s experience with any relationship that includes the use of power or control. Power and control can be used physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, and spiritually. Power and control keeps the relationship from experiencing equality in which both persons are respected and treated fairly.

Abuse can create immediate and lasting effects on a person’s identity, well-being, health, school or work, and relationships. Children exposed to abusive behaviors can also be as impacted as if they experienced the abuse first-hand.

Abuse Counseling

Symptom Self-Check

Does your partner yell at you most days?
Are you afraid of your partner?
Does your partner commonly react with anger or threats?
Does your partner damage objects in his/her anger?
Does your partner ever apologize?
Do you get blamed for the arguments?
Does your partner humiliate or embarrass you around your family and friends?
Have you stopped seeing your family and friends in order to avoid conflicts with your partner?
Is your partner jealous of your friendships?
Does your partner control where you go and who you talk with?
Does your partner monitor your use of the phone, car, computer, or finances?
Does your partner threaten you or your children?
Has your partner ever hurt you physically?

Consequences of Abuse:

  • Mental health diagnoses of depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD
  • Academic or work-related problems
  • Difficulty connecting to and trusting other people
  • Isolation and limited relationships
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing
  • Lack of spontaneity
  • Low self-confidence
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • At-risk of drug use, eating disorders, self-harm behaviors, or suicidal thoughts

Treatments for Abuse

Victims of abuse can be helped and it’s important to work with a professional to help identify an effective treatment plan. Treatment for victims of abuse can include:

  • Counseling
  • Medications (e.g. antidepressants, mood stabilizers)
  • Group counseling
  • Social support
  • Education and empowerment
  • Assertiveness training
  • Stress management and reduction
  • Increase in pleasurable activities
  • Self-care (sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition)
  • Self-reflection (mindfulness, meditation, yoga)
  • Spiritual integration (prayer, faith groups)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Crisis intervention and safety planning

If you are experiencing any abuse that is impacting your well-being and functioning, please connect with Lacamas Counseling for professional therapeutic support to address your needs and goals.

Additional Resources:

Information on Abuse and Resources

Community Resource – YWCA Safechoice Domestic Violence Program