Physical Abuse

When is it time to get help?

If you experience most of the symptoms listed above as a result of being in a relationship, you are most likely in an abusive situation and should seek help immediately. Keep in mind that trauma can show up years after being in an abusive relationship as well, so if the symptoms of trauma are affecting your life – then it’s time to get help.

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 physical abuse treatment methods

Your therapist will discuss with you the best treatment method for your circumstances, and while there are several different options, a few that have been proven to be effective when treating physical abuse trauma include:

• 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.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of treatment where you revisit a traumatic moment or incident and the feelings and beliefs you experience about the incident.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.