Domestic Violence Counselling in Burnaby
Domestic Violence Counselling in BC
Starting domestic violence counselling is similar to driving. You may feel uncomfortable being in the driver’s seat, as you may worry you will be judged or criticized. Some days, you may not trust yourself, and on other days, you may not feel capable. However, you are capable and equipped to get behind the wheel. I sit next to you in the passenger seat, ensuring you are safe, heard, validated, and supported as you drive. With your permission, we will unpack and process the domestic violence you experienced. You can pull over, slow down, or change lanes at any time. Driving home after your counselling session, you feel seen, heard, validated, and supported. I empower you to make decisions and regain control of your life in a safe and supportive space.
I am a registered clinical counsellor (#19428) dedicated to supporting individuals who have experienced domestic violence or abuse.
I support you in healing from the domestic violence you experienced, and we unpack how it impacts your life. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and private space in Burnaby and online. You may struggle with self-esteem, going to work, leaving your house, or spending time with loved ones. I work with you to build your self-esteem and self-worth and to strengthen your relationship with yourself.
At Ease Counseling in Burnaby, I offer individual, in-person, and online domestic violence counselling for adults and youth. I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health.
As your counsellor, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
Understanding Domestic Violence
When supporting clients, I often refer to the power and control wheel, as it illustrates how perpetrators exert their power and control. I also refer to the equality wheel, as this shows what one can expect from a healthy relationship. Statistically, women experience domestic violence more than men. Women from a diverse range of backgrounds find themselves in an abusive relationship.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby provides a safe space to share and heal from the domestic violence you experienced and to explore how it impacts your life.
Loved ones or friends may not be aware that you experienced domestic violence. You may not have disclosed it to your boss, and you may not wish to report it to the RCMP, but it may still impact many aspects of your life. For example:
- You may struggle to recognize yourself and struggle with low self-esteem and self-doubt.
- You may feel embarrassed and ashamed that you experienced domestic violence.
- You may blame yourself, or you may find that the people around you hold you responsible and are not very supportive.
- You may struggle to sleep, experience insomnia, or have night terrors.
Symptoms of domestic violence
Domestic violence can impact individuals in different ways. Some examples include:
- You struggle to trust others or open up to friends, as you fear being criticized or judged.
- You internalized some of the verbal abuse you experienced and find yourself criticizing yourself when you make a mistake or forget to complete a task.
- You feel anxious around new people and worry about interacting with them as you fear they will get angry and lose their temper with you.
- You feel ashamed and judge yourself for not leaving your abusive partner sooner.
- You feel on edge and struggle to relax despite being safe and away from your abusive partner.
At Ease counselling in Burnaby provides a nonjudgmental, kind, and compassionate space to help you heal from the domestic violence you experienced. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:
- Building a strong sense of self and a healthy relationship with yourself. Including self-acceptance, self-love, self-compassion, and forgiveness.
- Understanding that you are not to blame for your perpetrator’s behaviour and that you are not responsible for what they did.
- Identifying and prioritizing your needs and wants. You no longer have to walk on eggshells and dismiss your needs.
- Treating yourself with kindness and patience rather than judgment or criticism.
Benefits of Domestic Violence Counselling
- Connection
Domestic violence counselling in Burnaby focuses on strengthening your connection with yourself. Sometimes survivors of domestic violence feel like they are not able to recognize themselves after they leave the perpetrator. Others say that they lost themselves in the relationship and that they no longer know who they are. In counselling, we work together to strengthen your sense of self, identity, and connection. Some individuals feel disconnected from family members or friends as a result of the domestic violence they experienced. We focus on strengthening existing connections and establishing new ones. Some survivors feel depressed, isolated, and lonely. When you feel depressed, you may also struggle with negative self-talk, low mood, and energy. Other individuals feel anxious and experience panic attacks. In counselling, we process your experiences, which helps you feel less anxious and depressed. I also share strategies to help you cope when your anxiety or depression surfaces.
- Explore
Domestic violence counselling in Burnaby explores how the domestic violence you experienced impacts your life. We explore how it impacts your thoughts, feelings, view of self, and relationships with others. We also identify triggers and how you react or respond when triggered. Individuals who have experienced domestic violence sometimes blame themselves and have negative self-talk. I support you in gently challenging negative thoughts and cultivating a kinder, more compassionate inner dialogue. Some survivors of domestic violence experience grief and loss as they have lost their jobs, apartment, friends, or neighbours. We process this loss and work together to rebuild confidence and self-worth. I use tools like power and control, which some individuals find helpful, as they focus on abusive behaviours they experienced. We also unpack red flags that surfaced and identify green flags in healthy relationships.
- Heal
Domestic violence counselling in Burnaby helps you heal from the violence or abuse you experienced. You may struggle with feelings of shame, embarrassment, blame, and confusion. You may find it challenging to go to work, socialize with friends or family, and engage in once-enjoyable activities. You may have lost your support network due to the perpetrator, and your self-confidence may also be lower as a result. We work together to unpack past experiences and heal them so that they are no longer triggering. We can not change what happened, but we can change how you feel about it. We build your self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. Some of our work together may involve you forgiving yourself and strengthening your view of self. Some clients struggle with sleep, recurring nightmares, panic attacks, and depression. In counselling, we focus on this, your coping mechanisms and strategies to help you regain control.
Why choose At Ease Counselling?
- Client-driven approach
- At Ease Counselling sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in Burnaby and online.
- Evidence-based modalities
- At Ease Counselling Services, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
- Anti-oppressive practice
- At Ease Counselling understands the impact of inequality and oppression when supporting you in a safe, non-judgmental, inclusive space in Burnaby and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome.
Ready to start your healing journey? Domestic violence counselling in Burnaby is here to support and help you process your experience and heal. You are in safe hands at At Ease Counselling.
