Healing After Domestic Violence: How Trauma-Informed Therapy Supports Survivors
“ I don’t even know where to begin” is a phrase I’ve heard countless times while holding space for a survivor of domestic violence during their first therapy session.
Regardless of what stage a survivor is in within their abusive relationship, it takes immense courage and strength to seek help. I commend survivors for embracing vulnerability as a pathway to healing from traumas that often occur behind closed doors, leaving them feeling paralyzed by fear and shame.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Can Help
It is crucial for survivors of domestic violence to feel heard, validated, believed, and supported in a non-judgmental space. Frequently, survivors encounter stigma, scrutiny, and blame related to their domestic violence experiences. Survivors are often plagued by judgmental phrases such as, “Well, why didn’t they just leave?”
Collaborating with a trauma-informed therapist who understands the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship can empower survivors to cultivate self-compassion regarding the decisions they made while in the cycle of violence and survival mode.
A trauma-informed therapist can support a survivor in the early stages of therapy by creating an individualized domestic violence safety plan and introducing psychoeducational materials on relevant topics related to domestic violence, such as the Power and Control Wheel and the Cycle of Violence.
Survivors often experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, or depression as a result of their experiences with domestic violence. Trauma-focused therapy can be beneficial, as it includes reviewing healthy coping skills that equip survivors with tools to regulate their emotions and reduce symptoms when faced with trauma-related triggers.
Long-Term Healing After Domestic Violence
A trauma-informed therapist can provide essential support to a survivor in long-term therapy by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as EMDR therapy and TF-CBT. These methods can be effective in alleviating the negative impacts that a history of domestic violence has had on various aspects of the survivor’s life, facilitating constructive progress on their healing journey.
Long-term therapy may focus on reducing the frequency and intensity of mental health symptoms, rebuilding the survivor’s self-esteem and self-worth, processing generational patterns and cycles, and learning strategies to develop healthy relationships, among other goals.
Domestic Violence Statistics
According to 180 Turning Lives Around:
1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and 1 in 2 trans or non-binary people in NJ will experience an abusive relationship.
Young women ages 16–24 experience the highest rate of dating and relationship violence.
Approximately 30% of men and women in NJ experience physical violence, rape, and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all murders in the United States.
Half of all female homicide victims are killed by intimate partners.
Additional Resources
180 Turning Lives Around: Monmouth County
Women Aware: Middlesex County
New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
About the Author
Alyssa Viscione, LCSW has been working with survivors of domestic violence since 2018. Prior to joining the Jersey Medical Care team, Alyssa provided trauma-focused therapy and case management services at 180 Turning Lives Around: Family Justice Center and Jersey City Medical Center: Trauma Recovery Center.
Alyssa employs a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and empowerment approach to support survivors at every stage of their healing journeys.
If you are a survivor of domestic violence in need of therapy services, please use the following link to schedule an appointment:
