If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family abuse or violence it can be difficult to talk about it, even with family and friends. You might feel ashamed or unsafe or think nobody understands. It can be helpful to talk about it with a psychologist who understands the nature of domestic and family conflict. Outlook Psychology Practice provides confidential, individual, short-term counselling which can focus on:
- addressing immediate safety and risk concerns
- domestic violence education
- exploring options
- goal setting
- supporting positive emotional health and well-being
We provide services for:
- Women or men who are experiencing domestic abuse or violence
- Children of families who have experienced domestic abuse or violence
- The entire family through family therapy
- Perpetrators of domestic violence
- Couples
We understand that there are many forms of domestic and family abuse
Most domestic violence is invisible. You do not have to have bruises or have been physically assaulted to be terrified, trapped and scared in your own home. Whether you are experiencing physical or emotional abuse, our counselling services can help you.
Types of Family Violence and Emotional Abuse
Verbal abuse
This can include insults, constant put-downs, name calling and yelling, being told that are unattractive, inferior, incompetent or that you do not have the ability to cope or succeed on your own.
Emotional/Psychological abuse
Emotional/psychological abuse occurs when you are made to feel scared, intimidated, insane, stupid, or worthless. Examples include threats to harm or kill you, or to abduct or harm children, threatening with guns or other weapons, criticism, hurting or killing pets, denying, or minimising the abuse and blaming you for it. Doing things to confuse you, withholding important information or not including you in important decision-making can also be forms of emotional abuse.
Physical abuse
An abuser can use physical force against you in the form of slapping, pushing, hitting, punching, choking, physically holding you to keep you from leaving, twisting limbs, throwing objects at you, using weapons, destroying, or damaging property, and/or disposing of belongings without consent. It can be actual or attempted, with the intent to injure, control or make you frightened.
Social abuse
Any form of behaviour that isolates you from family or friends, is recognised as social abuse. It can be about criticising or being suspicious of your family and friends, controlling your use of mobiles, phones and internet, and use of the family car, deliberately physically isolating you in your home or making you move away from family and friends, and demanding to know where you and who you are with at all times.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse involves controlling your money by denying access to bank accounts, forcing the surrender of bankcards and credit cards to gain control of your income preventing you from seeking or maintaining employment and denying you any input into financial decisions. Financial abuse can also include making you ask for money for basic items such as food, petrol, and clothing, and forcing you to provide receipts to account for your spending.
Damage to property
This occurs when the house, household furniture or anything else that you own, or use is purposefully damaged or broken. It could include breaking items in your kitchen like plates and cups, breaking children’s’ toys, kicking or punching holes in walls or damaging your car. This kind of abuse is designed to intimidate and frighten you.
Stalking
Stalking is intended to intimidate and harass you. It can include following you to your work or place of study, home or when you are out in public. It can be about the abuser physically watching you, calling, texting, emailing, using social media (such as signing into your Facebook or twitter accounts). It may also involve your family and friends being harassed and intimidated.
Technological abuse
This is an emerging form of abuse that is linked to stalking, psychological abuse, and other forms of domestic violence. It can mean that technology is used to directly or indirectly monitor and stalk you. This can sometimes occur without your knowing, such as personal information being posted on Facebook or other social media and tracking devices being installed in cars and mobile phones.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse includes any forced or unwanted sexual activity including rape. Unwanted kissing or touching or forcing someone to do something they do not want to do (e.g., looking at pornography) is also sexual abuse. Humiliation can often play a part in sexual abuse.
If you are the victim of abuse or need help controlling your abusive behaviours, call us today on 1300 00R UOK (1300 007 865) or contact us to book your initial appointment. Let the amazing team at Outloook Psychology help you.
