Alicja Blada Edgeley
Counselling for Domestic Violence and Abuse & Trauma Therapy
SUPERVISION PSYCHOTHERAPY
What is Trauma?
Trauma is when you witness or experience a significant event in your life that was shocking, brutal and life-threatening. Your layer of protection has been destroyed and you start experiencing significant mental and physical symptoms that impact the quality of your everyday life. You could be diagnosed with PTSD by your GP.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder triggered by exposure to a traumatic or dangerous event. It is important to note that you do not need to directly experience the event in order to suffer from PTSD. PTSD can be triggered by seeing or hearing the event, or by hearing about it later. The condition alters the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, causing people to experience stress and fear long after the traumatic event has passed.
At Alicja Counselling, I work with clients who have been through traumatic life events. Although trauma can occur in a variety of ways, the trauma treatment and recovery process is about your experience.
Among the trauma-related issues I have assisted people with are:
- Surviving an act of sexual or physical violence
- Domestic violence and abuse
- Car accidents
- Sudden loss
- Witnessing an act of violence or abuse
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Common
Trauma Symptoms
Avoidance of certain situations or people
Flashbacks or re-experiencing of traumatic memories
Distress or anxiety that remains after the traumatic event
Physical or bodily symptoms (aching, nausea, etc.)
Major changes in personality or behaviour
Recurrent (or ruminative) thoughts about the trauma
Increased drug or alcohol use to cope with traumatic stress
Aggression or irritability
Trouble sleeping
Being easily startled or frightened
counselling for trauma caused by experience of domestic violence and abuse
What is Domestic Violence and Abuse?
Domestic violence and abuse refers to a pattern of behaviour used in a relationship by one person to try to gain or maintain power and control over another person. Domestic violence and abuse occur in close intimate relationships and in families.
Domestic violence and abuse can be physical, psychological, financial, sexual, or emotional. Domestic violence and abuse acts often aim to intimidate, physically harm, isolate, undermine, manipulate and exert control over someone. Common examples of abusive behaviours include name-calling, threatening, manipulation, humiliation or gaslighting.
People who have experienced domestic violence and abuse are often afraid to report it or to speak to friends or family about it in fear of being judged. There is also a hope that the abusive person will change their behaviour. While this is possible often the abusive behaviour worsens over time making the situation in relationship very difficult to cope with.
Indicators of Domestic Abuse:
- Physically – hitting, beating, punching, burning, choking etc.
- Sexually – making someone have sex or perform sexual acts that they do not wish to.
- Psychologically /Emotionally – belittling, name calling, dismissing, eroding confidence, swearing and verbally abusing the individual or using emotional blackmail to manipulate.
- Financially – either by restricting access to joint funds, causing financial hardship or stealing from you.
- Social Isolation – Restricting access to friends or family or causing friends and family to lose contact over time or immediately. Controlling behaviour such as monitoring social network accounts and mobile phone or internet access.
The majority of victims are women, but men are also affected.
It takes time to recognise and become fully aware that what is happening in your relationship is abusive. Often the abusive behaviour can be minimized due to for instance fear of challenging the abusive behaviours. No one deserves to be treated disrespectfully and being abused. With my therapeutic support, you can re-build your life.
counselling and supervision
How Does Therapy Help With Dometic Violence and Abuse?
Counselling for domestic violence and abuse provides a safe space to talk about your feelings, allowing you to heal and progress. Therapy provides a place for you to discuss whatever you have been through. You can overcome the impact of these traumatic experiences with my help and support.
Experiencing abusive and threatening behaviour is devastating and impacts on your self-esteem. It frequently has a negative impact on our change to your mental health. Domestic abuse and trauma counselling can help you regain your trust.
I support my clients to begin feeling empowered by discovering your own needs, wishes and making your own choices. Often, the abusive behaviour has impacted how you see yourself and how you feel about yourself. With therapy you can regain control and learn to trust again at your own pace.
My counselling practice is based in Crewe. However, I also offer online counselling. I provide you with space to talk about what has happened to you.
I am passionate about supporting people in therapy who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. My counselling practice provides a safe, gentle and warm environment. I will not judge you. Instead, you will feel supported, accepted, and understood.
I will be there with you and help you to fully understand your feelings and emotions. I have a deep level of understanding of the trauma caused by being in abusive relationship. Together, we can begin your journey to internal exploration. This will help you and give you the choice for further steps.
Alicja Counselling can assist you if you are struggling with anxiety or not coping with panic attacks. Do not simply wait for things to improve. If you want to take the first step toward eliminating anxiety or panic attacks, contact Alicja Counselling to discuss therapy for anxiety.
Book a FREE 30-minute Therapy Session