Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Healing the Hidden Wounds of Emotional Abuse

When you hear “domestic violence,” you might picture bruises or broken bones. But abuse isn’t always visible. Emotional abuse—gaslighting, manipulation, constant criticism, isolation—can be just as destructive. October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a chance to talk about the wounds people can’t always see.

Why Emotional Abuse Is So Damaging

• Gaslighting. Being told “you’re crazy” until you start believing it.

• Isolation. Slowly losing friends and family connections.

• Constant criticism. Living in fear of being “wrong” all the time.

• Walking on eggshells. Never feeling safe in your own home.

Survivors often say the hardest part wasn’t leaving—it was rebuilding the belief that they deserved better.

How Therapy Supports Survivors

Therapy creates a safe space to:

• Untangle the lies of “I’m not worthy”

• Reclaim your identity outside of the abuse

• Learn boundaries without guilt

• Work through trauma responses like hypervigilance or shutdown

Resources for Survivors

If you’re in immediate danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
If you’re not in crisis but want to start healing, therapy can be a safe first step.

Reflection Prompts

• Have I downplayed my experiences because they weren’t “bad enough”?

• What messages from my abuser still echo in my head?

• What would it feel like to have safety in my body and home?

👉 You don’t have to heal alone. This month, let awareness be the bridge to action, support, and freedom.