Love Is Patient and Kind, Not Controlling—Therapy and Counseling for Emotional Abuse in Allentown, PA
When children are teased or taunted, they are often told the old nursery rhyme, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While this is often offered to comfort a child, it rarely does. Even young children know that words and emotionally hurtful actions can wound a person’s spirit. In some cases, emotionally manipulative words may be emotional abuse.
Many support systems are in place for people who are being emotionally abused or have been. Recovery is possible, and often involves mental health counseling. Trained therapists have guide victims on how to reestablish their safety and find healing.
The therapists at Thriveworks Allentown have helped many people recover from emotional abuse. We want to empower our clients to find heal from the past abuse and build a future where they flourish. If you have suffered from emotional abuse, reach out to Thriveworks Allentown for help.
Emotional Abuse: A Description and Examples
Respectful arguments are healthy, normal dynamics within any relationship. They show that each individual is free to think and feel without one dominating the other. Emotional abuse, however, occurs when one person seeks to control the other through a pattern of emotionally manipulative behaviors.
The forms that emotional abuse can take are limitless, and often, recognizing emotional abuse is easier than defining it. Examples of emotional abuse may include…
- Refusing to accept personal responsibility for one’s own behavior.
- Falsely accusing others and/or blaming victims for the abuse they suffer.
- Publicly and openly embarrassing, humiliating, mocking, name-calling, or criticizing another.
- Cutting off others from their loved ones.
- Holding back affection or love to gain a desired result (When you… I will…)
- Denying or downplaying another person’s experiences, feelings, and thoughts. (“You’re too sensitive; you’re overreacting.”)
- Objectifying other people.
- Withholding deserved access to important resources, including medical care money, transportation, and/or food.
- Using guilt, intimidation, or threats to control other people.
- Without permission, harming or trashing another’s personal and prized possessions (a meaningful letter, a special photograph, et cetera).
- Using anger and moodiness to keep others on edge.
- Displaying possessive or jealous behaviors.
- Gaslighting.
These examples often begin slowly. At first, emotional abuse is not egregious or overt, but as victims become desensitized to the maltreatment, perpetrators escalate the harm.
Emotional Abuse: Safety and Healing
Just as many people who experience a physical injury need to see a health care professional, so many people who have experienced injuries to their spirit need to see a mental health professional. The therapists at Thriveworks Allentown would like anyone who has experienced emotional abuse to know…
- Abuse is never a victim’s fault.
- People are responsible for their choice to harm.
- Emotional abuse is often traumatic.
- Recovery takes time and effort but is possible.
- One’s physical and emotional safety are important.
- It is possible to love and trust again.
Scheduling Emotional Abuse Counseling at Thriveworks Allentown
If you have experienced emotional abuse and if you are ready to work with a therapist, contacting Thriveworks may be a helpful next step. We want to support our clients from the moment they first call our office throughout their treatment.
New clients often meet with their counselor within the same week of calling our office. We make evening and weekend sessions available, and most insurance plans are accepted. If you are ready to start therapy, we are ready to be there for you. Call Thriveworks Allentown today.
