Emotional Abuse Counselling in a Safe and Supportive Space
Emotional abuse can be difficult to recognise—there are no visible bruises, but the impact runs deep. Whether from a partner, parent, friend or colleague, emotional abuse erodes your self-esteem, distorts your reality and often leaves you feeling anxious, confused or worthless.
At Past 2 Present Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer trauma-informed emotional abuse counselling that helps you make sense of your experiences, rebuild your confidence and begin to feel emotionally safe again. You are not overreacting. Your pain is real—and therapy can help.
Signs You May Have Experienced Emotional Abuse
You might not have called it abuse at the time. Often, emotional manipulation is gradual, subtle and confusing. Common signs include:
- Constant self-doubt or walking on eggshells
- Feeling like nothing you do is ever good enough
- Being criticised, belittled or ignored regularly
- Isolation from friends, family or support
- Gaslighting—being told your version of events is wrong
- Feeling responsible for someone else’s emotions or outbursts
- Struggling with anxiety, guilt, shame or emotional numbness
These are not personality flaws. They are trauma responses to emotional harm. Therapy helps you understand, validate and gently work through them.
How Counselling Supports Recovery from Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse counselling provides a safe, private space to process what you’ve experienced. We work together to:
- Explore the impact of the abuse on your thoughts, emotions and behaviours
- Rebuild your self-worth and sense of identity
- Understand the tactics used by emotionally abusive people
- Learn how to recognise red flags and set healthy boundaries
- Release guilt, shame and internalised self-blame
- Reconnect with your needs, values and personal power
You don’t need to relive everything at once. Therapy moves at your pace and always prioritises your emotional safety.
Our Therapy Options for Emotional Abuse Recovery
We understand that everyone’s healing journey is different. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalised approach to therapy.
Options include:
- Online therapy – Private, convenient support from your own space
- Telephone counselling – An alternative if you’re not comfortable with video
- Walk and Talk Therapy – In Cornwall, outdoor sessions that offer gentle, grounded support
- Person-Centred Counselling – Compassionate, non-directive sessions where you lead the conversation
- Trauma-Informed Practice – Acknowledging and gently working with trauma stored in the body and mind
- Solution-Focused Therapy – Supporting small, manageable steps forward in daily life
Your therapy is tailored to what you need most, whether that’s safety, clarity, emotional expression or rebuilding boundaries.
Emotional Abuse Can Happen in Any Relationship
Emotional abuse doesn’t just happen in romantic relationships. It can also be present in:
- Families—parents, siblings or extended relatives
- Friendships—manipulative or controlling dynamics
- Workplaces—bullying, intimidation or gaslighting
- Religious or community settings—coercion or emotional control
If someone in your life has repeatedly undermined your emotional wellbeing, therapy can help you unpack that experience and begin healing.
What Does This Mean for Your Healing Journey?
Healing from emotional abuse isn’t about forgetting or excusing what happened—it’s about learning to live in a way that feels free, empowered and safe. Therapy helps you understand what you’ve been through, make sense of lingering pain and begin to trust yourself again.
You don’t have to stay stuck in shame, confusion or fear. You can reclaim your voice, your peace and your life.
Is emotional abuse real if there was no physical harm?
Yes. Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse and often leaves lasting psychological wounds.
What if I’m still in the abusive relationship?
You can still access therapy. We’ll work together to prioritise your emotional safety and explore your options.
Can therapy help if the abuse happened years ago?
Absolutely. Emotional wounds can stay buried for years. Therapy offers space to process and heal, whenever you're ready.
Will I have to talk about everything straight away?
No. You are always in control. We work at your pace, focusing on what feels safe and helpful.
What if I’m not sure it was emotional abuse?
Therapy can help you explore your experiences without judgement. If it hurt you, it matters.
Can therapy help me rebuild confidence?
Yes. Reclaiming your self-esteem and sense of identity is a central part of emotional abuse recovery.