Family Violence

Family violence encompasses a wide variety of abusive behaviors including spousal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, abuse between siblings, or extended family members living in the home.

Family violence can include psychological/emotional, economic, verbal, or sexual abuse and physical violence.

Often situations of family violence are complex and involve many different factors and relationships.

Victims of family violence may suffer from issues such as:

Emotional symptoms

• Mood swings
• Depression
• Low self-worth
• Lack of self-esteem
• Anxiety or a constant feeling of fear
• Fear of the abuser
• Fear of attending school, work, or other events where the bully/abuser may be present
• Inability to break free from the abuser
• Feelings of shame
• Pulling away from friends and family
• Being withdrawn from everyday life
• Misplaced aggression towards other people or family pets
• Openly or secretly planning revenge
• Attempting to overhaul one’s looks or life to blend in
• Avoiding situations or changing your job, school, or habits to avoid the bully/abuser
• Trust issues
• Feelings of numbness
• Shock and confusion

 Physical symptoms

• Night terrors
• Physical injuries
• Problems sleeping
• Issues with sexual identity or functioning
• Trauma response (PTSD)
• Sleeplessness
• Sleeping too much
• Lack of energy
• Flashbacks or nightmares of the abuse
• Memory issues
• Aches and pains
• Tense muscles

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, please call 911.

For immediate help outside of our office hours, throughout Alberta, please call 211 or one of the following distress lines:

• Edmonton: The Crisis Centre call 780 482 HELP (4357)
• Greater Edmonton region: Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288.
• Calgary: 403 266 HELP (4357)

Trauma from abuse treatment methods

There are several effective treatment methods for dealing with the trauma caused by abuse. Your therapist will discuss with you, the best options for your individual circumstance. Some treatment methods that are typically successful in treating the effects of abuse include:

• Narrative therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses narratives and/or client’s personal stories to help people separate themselves from their problems, believing that the person isn’t the problem; the problem is the problem.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
• Person centered therapy differs from more traditional therapeutic approaches in the belief that, while the therapist has expertise in many areas, the client is the expert on themselves and their lived experiences. People are essentially trustworthy and have a vast potential for understanding themselves while also being able to ultimately resolve their own problems when guided properly.
• Reality therapy generally believes that individuals choose their behaviour and as a result, are responsible for not only what they are doing, but also how they think and feel. Clients develop the psychological strength to evaluate their own behaviour and acquire more effective behaviour with the support of a warm and accepting counselling environment.

What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?

If you’re in an abusive relationship, getting the right therapy may help you to leave that relationship. If you are in an abusive situation and you are afraid for your life or your personal safety, call 911.

If you are a survivor of abuse, Insight can help you to deal with the trauma and aftermath so that you can go on to experience healthier relationships and better quality of life overall.

Note: Insight can also provide therapy for abusers.

Insight Psychological has multiple locations staffed with licensed counsellors who are ready to help you. Call our offices today!