💔 Domestic Abuse & Intimate Partner Violence

🌿 Creating Safety, Healing, and Hope After Harm

Abuse is never your fault. Whether it’s physical, emotional, verbal, financial, or psychological, domestic abuse leaves lasting wounds that go beyond the visible. It can make you question your worth, your memory, and your safety — but healing and freedom are possible.

At Mara’s Lighthouse, we believe every person deserves safety, dignity, and compassion. We provide trauma-informed therapy and support for survivors of domestic abuse, relationship violence, and coercive control. Our goal is to help you rebuild trust in yourself, restore your sense of control, and move forward with strength and peace.

💭 Understanding Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse — also called intimate partner violence (IPV) — is a pattern of behavior in which one person uses power, control, or fear to dominate another in a relationship. It can occur in any relationship regardless of gender, culture, or background.

Abuse may take many forms:

Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, choking, or other physical harm.
Emotional abuse: Insults, threats, gaslighting, humiliation, or manipulation.
Verbal abuse: Constant criticism, yelling, or name-calling.
Sexual abuse: Unwanted touch or coercion, even within relationships.
Financial control: Restricting access to money or resources.
Isolation: Cutting off friends, family, or support systems.
Digital harassment: Monitoring, threats, or controlling communication online.

Abuse is about control, not conflict. It is never justified — and you do not have to face it alone.

⚡ Recognizing the Signs

Many survivors question whether what they’re experiencing “counts” as abuse. If you often feel afraid, controlled, or devalued in your relationship, these may be warning signs.

You may notice:

Walking on eggshells to avoid anger or punishment
Being blamed for your partner’s behavior
Feeling isolated or unable to make decisions freely
Being told you’re “crazy,” “too sensitive,” or “the problem”
Having your finances, phone, or schedule controlled
Experiencing sudden affection followed by cruelty or manipulation
Constant surveillance or jealousy

Abuse thrives in secrecy and self-blame. Therapy offers a space to reclaim your truth and your safety.

🧠 The Emotional Impact of Abuse

Abuse changes how you see yourself and the world. Survivors may experience:

Anxiety, depression, or trauma symptoms
Sleep problems or nightmares
Hypervigilance or fear of conflict
Guilt or shame
Difficulty trusting others
Physical tension, headaches, or chronic pain
Emotional numbness or detachment

Our therapists help survivors process these effects gently, restoring emotional regulation, self-worth, and a sense of control.

🌿 How Therapy Helps

Therapy provides a confidential, supportive space where you can begin to heal — safely and at your own pace.

Our trauma-informed approach focuses on:

Rebuilding safety and emotional stability
Processing trauma and releasing self-blame
Learning healthy boundaries and communication
Restoring confidence and self-compassion
Identifying patterns of power and control
Planning next steps toward safety and recovery

We use evidence-based methods including Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Somatic Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions, tailored to your comfort and readiness.

👨‍👩‍👧 Support for Families & Children

Children exposed to domestic violence may experience fear, confusion, and guilt — even if they are not directly harmed. We provide therapeutic support to help children process their emotions and reestablish safety.

For parents and caregivers, we offer guidance on:

Rebuilding routines and emotional stability at home
Helping children talk about difficult feelings
Recognizing trauma-related behaviors
Co-parenting and communication with boundaries
Connecting with community resources for safety and recovery

Families can heal together when safety and understanding are restored.

🤝 Integrated, Whole-Person Care

Healing from abuse often requires more than therapy alone. We provide collaborative, wraparound care that supports your emotional, physical, and practical wellbeing.

Your plan may include:

Individual trauma therapy
Safety planning and resource coordination
In-house prescriber support for anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms
Referrals to shelters, advocacy organizations, or legal support when needed
Collaboration with physicians and community agencies to ensure holistic care

Every decision in your care is yours — your pace, your comfort, your control.

🌼 Rebuilding Life After Abuse

Leaving or recovering from an abusive relationship takes extraordinary courage. Healing happens one step at a time — through compassion, consistency, and community.

Small steps that matter:
1️⃣ Reach out for support. You deserve to be believed and helped.
2️⃣ Build safety. Create a plan that protects you emotionally and physically.
3️⃣ Practice self-compassion. Abuse is never your fault.
4️⃣ Reconnect with yourself. Healing begins when you feel seen and valued again.
5️⃣ Hold on to hope. You are stronger than what you’ve survived.

💙 At Mara’s Lighthouse, we help survivors move from fear to empowerment, from silence to voice, and from survival to peace.