Rebuilding safety, strength, and your sense of self.
Intimate Partner Violence Therapy in California, Pennsylvania, & Virginia
Healthy relationships exist, and you can have one. Safety is not only possible—it's how you were meant to be loved.
You Deserve to Feel Safe In Your Most Important Relationship
If you're reading this, you may be questioning whether what's happening in your relationship is "normal" or wondering if you're overreacting to your partner's behavior. You might feel confused, isolated, or afraid—and those feelings are completely valid.
Intimate partner violence isn't just physical abuse. It includes emotional manipulation, financial control, sexual coercion, threats, isolation from loved ones, and constant criticism that chips away at your self-worth. If you're walking on eggshells, making excuses for your partner's behavior, or feeling like you've lost yourself in your relationship, you're not alone.
Whether you're still in the relationship, planning to leave, or have already left, therapy can help you heal from the trauma, rebuild your sense of self, and create the safe, healthy life you deserve.
When Love Becomes a Battlefield
Intimate partner violence rarely starts with obvious abuse. It often begins subtly—with jealousy disguised as love, control presented as care, or criticism framed as "help." Over time, these behaviors escalate and create a pattern that can leave you feeling trapped, confused, and questioning your own reality.
You might recognize these experiences:
Feeling like you're "walking on eggshells" around your partner
Being criticized, humiliated, or put down regularly
Having your feelings, perceptions, or memories questioned (gaslighting)
Being isolated from friends, family, or activities you once enjoyed
Financial control—restricted access to money, credit, or employment
Threats of violence, suicide, or harm to children or pets
Sexual pressure or coercion
Monitoring of your phone, email, or social media
Explosive anger followed by apologies and promises to change
Intimate partner violence often impacts:
Your sense of reality and ability to trust your own perceptions
Self-esteem and confidence in your decisions
Relationships with friends and family
Physical health—headaches, insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety
Parenting and your children's wellbeing
Work performance and financial independence
Hope for the future and belief that things can get better
If these patterns feel familiar, please know that what you're experiencing is real, it's not your fault, and there is a way forward.
Specialized Support for Your Unique Journey
Healing from intimate partner violence requires a therapist who understands the complex dynamics of abusive relationships and the unique trauma they create. My approach is designed to meet you wherever you are in your journey—whether you're still in the relationship, planning to leave, or working to rebuild your life afterward.
My treatment approach includes:
Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing how trauma affects your brain, body, and relationships
Safety Planning: Developing concrete strategies to protect yourself and your children
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Helping you recognize and change trauma-related thoughts and beliefs
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Building emotional regulation and distress tolerance tools
EMDR: Processing traumatic memories to reduce their emotional impact
Empowerment-Based Therapy: Rebuilding your sense of agency and personal strength
What makes my approach unique: I never push you to leave or stay in your relationship—that decision is entirely yours. Instead, I focus on helping you rebuild your sense of self, trust your instincts, and develop the inner resources to make the choices that are right for you and your family.
Your healing journey might include:
Immediate safety and stabilization - Developing coping skills and safety plans
Trauma processing - Working through the impact of abuse on your mind and body
Rebuilding your identity - Rediscovering who you are outside of the abusive relationship
Relationship recovery - Learning to trust your judgment and form healthy connections
Future planning - Creating the life you want for yourself and your children
This therapy is for you if:
You're currently in an abusive relationship and need support
You're considering leaving but feel overwhelmed or afraid
You've recently left an abusive relationship and are struggling to adjust
You left an abusive relationship months or years ago but still feel its effects
You want to understand why you stayed or why you're attracted to unhealthy relationships
You're co-parenting with an abusive ex-partner
You're ready to break the cycle and prevent future abusive relationships
You need help navigating the legal system, custody issues, or divorce proceedings
I work with survivors of all genders and relationship types, including heterosexual, LGBTQ+, and non-monogamous relationships. I understand that abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, education, income, or background.
Special considerations for parents: If you have children, we'll discuss how to protect them while taking care of yourself, and how to help them heal from witnessing or experiencing abuse.
Online Therapy Rates, Insurance & Payment
Available to residents of California, Pennsylvania & Virginia
$250 | 50-Minute Sessions
Online therapy appointments via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth portal.
Insurance
I do not accept insurance, but I can provide you with a superbill upon request. Limited sliding scale spots available.
Payment Accepted
Cash, Credit Cards & Zelle
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you're questioning whether your relationship is abusive, that's often a sign that something isn't right. Abuse exists on a spectrum, and emotional/psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical violence.
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That's completely okay. My role isn't to tell you what to do, but to support you in making the decisions that are right for you. We can work on building your strength and resources regardless of your relationship status.
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I'm bound by confidentiality except in very specific circumstances (immediate danger to you or someone else, child abuse, or court orders). We'll discuss confidentiality limits in detail during our first session.
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Absolutely. Healing from intimate partner violence takes time, and it's common to experience ongoing effects even after leaving. Therapy can help you process the trauma and rebuild your life.
Taking the first step toward freedom
Ready to begin? Call my confidential line at (619) 363-2976 or use the contact form on my website. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where we can discuss your situation and determine if we're a good fit.
Safety note: If you're concerned about your safety while seeking therapy, we can discuss strategies for secure communication and scheduling. Your safety is always the top priority.
In your first session, you'll never be pressured to share more than you're comfortable with. We'll focus on getting to know each other, discussing your goals, and beginning to build the trusting relationship that will support your healing.
Crisis hotline: If you're in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 support, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.