ISSUES

Therapy for Abuse: Healing a History of Harm

 
 
 

What is Abuse?

Abuse is a pattern of harmful behaviors that can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial in nature. While abuse can happen in various settings—such as families, relationships, workplaces, or institutions—the impact often lingers long after the harm has stopped. Healing from a history of abuse is a process that requires support, validation, and compassionate care.

At Amanda Neves Therapy, we help individuals process the effects of past abuse in a safe, supportive environment. We offer in-person therapy at our Toronto office and online therapy across Ontario to support individuals in their healing journey, at a pacing and format the feels most helpful to them.

Recognizing the Impact of Past Abuse

Experiencing abuse—whether in childhood or adulthood—can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects, including:

  • Emotional distress: Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, anger, or sadness.

  • Physical symptoms: Chronic pain, digestive issues, fatigue, or tension.

  • Cognitive difficulties: Trouble concentrating, intrusive memories, or self-doubt.

  • Relational struggles: Difficulty trusting others, patterns of people-pleasing, or fear of intimacy.

  • Nervous system dysregulation: Hypervigilance, dissociation, or heightened anxiety.

If you recognize these effects in your own life, know that healing is possible. Reach out today to start working through the effects of past abuse in a supportive space.

Who Does Abuse Affect?

Abuse can happen to anyone, but certain populations are more vulnerable due to systemic barriers, discrimination, or historical trauma. In Canada, this includes:

  • Survivors of childhood abuse: Those who experienced neglect, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse during formative years.

  • Persons of the Global Majority: Impacted by intergenerational trauma from colonialism, oppression, and systemic violence.

  • LGBTQ2S+ individuals: More likely to experience familial rejection, intimate partner violence, or workplace discrimination.

  • Women and gender-diverse individuals: Disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence and coercive control. It’s important to note that men experience various forms of abuse too, and experience other layers socially in coming forward to receive support.

  • Newcomers to Canada: May face unique barriers, including exploitation, immigration-related abuse, or cultural stigma around seeking help.

Abuse is never the fault of the person who experienced it. Therapy can provide a space to unpack the impact of past abuse, build self-trust, and develop healthier relational patterns.

How We Address the Effects of Abuse in Therapy

At Amanda Neves Therapy, we take a trauma-informed approach, using:

  • Attachment-Focused Therapy: Exploring the impact of past abuse on current relationships and self-worth.

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP): Supporting emotional processing and resilience.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Parts Work: Helping survivors connect with different parts of themselves in a compassionate way.

  • Somatic Approaches: Addressing trauma stored in the body through mindfulness, grounding, and nervous system regulation.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying harmful beliefs that may have formed due to past abuse.

If you’re ready to start healing, book a session today and take the first step toward reclaiming your sense of safety and self-worth.

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

In your first session, you can expect:

  • A safe, non-judgmental space to discuss your experiences at your own pace.

  • An exploration of how past abuse has impacted your emotions, relationships, and sense of self.

  • Development of personalized coping strategies for managing triggers and nervous system dysregulation.

  • A collaborative approach to setting therapy goals that feel empowering to you.

Healing from past abuse is not about erasing the past but about reclaiming your future. Start your journey toward healing today.

Seeking Emergency Support

If you are currently experiencing abuse or are in immediate danger, therapy alone is not the safest option at this time. Please reach out to emergency resources that can provide immediate support:

  • Talk to Someone Now: Call or text Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

  • For Domestic Violence Support: Contact the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511 or text #SAFE (7233) from your mobile device.

  • For Crisis Support: Call the Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous peoples at 1-855-242-3310.

  • Shelter and Safety Planning: Find local shelters and resources at ShelterSafe.ca.

  • If You Are in Immediate Danger: Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

At Amanda Neves Therapy, we focus on helping those who have experienced past abuse find safety, support, and healing. If you’re no longer in immediate danger and are ready to process your experiences in a therapeutic space, we’re here to help.

Finding the Right Therapist for You

Healing is deeply personal, and the right therapeutic fit is key. At Amanda Neves Therapy, we offer a Meet Your Match process to connect you with a therapist best suited to your needs. Try our Meet Your Match process today and take the next step in your healing journey.

Moving Forward

Surviving abuse does not define you—your strength, resilience, and ability to heal do. At Amanda Neves Therapy, we provide in-person therapy at our Toronto office and virtual therapy across Ontario to help survivors move forward in a way that feels safe and empowering.

If you're ready to start, book a consult directly here, call us at 647-490-7985, or complete our Meet Your Match form. Our clinic coordinator will be in touch to connect you with a therapist who’s the right fit based on your specific needs.