Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

I began my career working as a Victim Advocate in the court system for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. I offered support throughout the court process and I understand how profoundly domestic violence affects our lives. I worked for years as a case manager in confidential shelters before working as a therapist. I am passionate about this work.

Not sure if your relationship is healthy? I can support clients who are current in or recently out of an abusive relationship. I provide clients with support and education on dynamics of domestic violence, warning signs, safety planning, and healthy relationships. I can provide specialized support on dealing with technology abuse.

Domestic violence is often misunderstood as strictly physical violence against one's partner. But it is much more complicated than that. Emotional abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse, gaslighting, control, and manipulation are too often not considered in domestic or intimate partner violence. I have experience with all of these forms of abuse and understand the complexity and difficulty of these relationships.

Survivors of intimate partner violence often experience deep, relational trauma. This can lead to significant anxiety and self doubt, making it hard to trust yourself and your gut/instincts. When this happens, attempts to protect ourselves can sometimes make us more vulnerable. I can help you understand your experiences, your responses, and learn to trust yourself again.

I am an IPV/DV survivor. I went to support groups at a DV advocacy agency, and I loved the experience so much, that a few years later, I returned to the agency to run the groups as a volunteer. This inspired me to become a therapist, and now I counsel IPV/DV survivors and run counseling support groups. I help people understand what happened, and empower people to find their self-esteem to move forward. I wrote an educational memoir about my experience that is available on my website.

I am a qualified domestic violence prevention group facilitator with eight months experience co-facilitating domestic violence prevention groups.

Research shows that both men and women can be victims of domestic violence or family violence, and both can be perpetrators as well. I have developed and published a domestic violence documentation format which also serves as an interview guide to thoroughly identify all forms of domestic or family violence. I perform domestic violence evaluations in immigration cases, and I also prepare extreme hardship evaluations in immigration cases.

I have about a decade's experience in working with folks experiencing DV or partner violence. Beginning with my internship during my Master-level work, my experience in this area has ranged widely by gender and has been primarily community-based work. My understanding of DV is led by an anti-oppression lens and has deeply influenced the way I practice today.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

I am a certified domestic violence counselor for the state of Connecticut. I worked with the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a safe house advocate for 10 years and have gone through extensive trainings to support survivors of domestic violence. I also have court experience and have been in roles as a state victim advocate helping victims/survivors of domestic violence navigate these difficult systems.

I have 15 years working with survivors of domestic violence and IPV. I am very passionate about empowering individuals who are either in an abusive relationship or are trying to leave one. Abuse comes in all forms and does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Everyone is entitled to be supported by a professional with the skills necessary to navigate such a delicate yet volatile situation.

Many survivors find that, as time goes on, the impacts of specific traumatic events begin to affect them differently. As challenging as it may feel to share your story, it is so important to find a safe place to process and cope with trauma and abuse you have survived. I am able to provide a safe place for all survivors to process, share and navigate their story. Together we will work on rebuilding your sense of self and increasing your quality of life.

I have worked at a domestic violence agency for over seven years providing advocacy-based counseling, safety planning and crisis intervention, facilitating support groups and therapy processing groups and providing individual therapy to adult survivors of intimate partner violence. I use a survivor-driven and DV-informed approach, and have trained other mental health providers on how to use this approach.

I am a qualified Domestic Violence Prevention group facilitator with eight months experience co-facilitating domestic violence prevention groups.

I have used Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy successfully in working with victims of domestic violence.

I have nearly two years of experience working with victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I come from a place of empathy and understanding to assist clients in exploring options in a nonjudgmental, person-centered manner. Issues of IPV and sexual assault are not always easily navigated and I take care and caution to ensure trauma informed practice to avoid further pain and hurt.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.