Abuse can happen to anyone. What happened wasn’t your fault, and it isn’t something you have to carry alone. Counselling can be a place to begin making sense of it, at your pace.
If you are experiencing abuse, you may notice any of the following:
- something that happened to you is still affecting how you feel, sleep, or relate to others
- the shame or self-blame hasn’t let up, even though part of you knows it wasn’t your fault
- flashbacks, nightmares, or feeling wired and on edge
- you’re in a relationship or situation that doesn’t feel safe
- someone has told you “that was a long time ago.” It still comes up.
- you’ve never told anyone. And you’re ready to begin.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you would like immediate support, the Distress Line (780-482-HELP / 4357) is available, or you can visit our [emergency resources page] for additional options.
Understanding Abuse
Abuse can happen to anyone. Being abused emotionally, physically or sexually is never okay, and it is never your fault. Abuse is traumatic and can have lasting adverse effects on self-esteem and mental health.
If you or someone you know is being abused, the most important thing is to get help to be safe and end the abuse. After that, the healing can begin. Whether the abuse was recent or a long time ago, it can have persistent negative effects on your happiness, well-being, and sense of safety.
There are several forms of abuse, including:
- Mental, physical, or emotional abuse
- Domestic violence
- Rape, molestation, or sexual assault
- Child abuse or neglect
- Elder abuse
For many people, counselling is the first space where what happened is met with care, pacing, and no pressure to explain more than feels right.
How Counselling Can Help
Abuse counselling can help to:
- Confront your feelings around the abuse
- Process the traumatic memories in a healthy way
- Learn new strategies to cope with traumatic memories and feelings
- Develop self-love routines and behaviours
- Work on self-esteem and boundary issues
- Give hope and guidance for healthy future relationships
Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have a deadline. You don’t have to do it alone.
Our Therapeutic Approaches
We draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, grounded in a flexible and collaborative way of working that adapts to what feels safe and helpful for you.
This allows us to shape our work around your needs, experiences, and goals, drawing from different therapeutic modalities as needed. Learn more about our approach to care.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR works directly with memories that haven’t settled. Guided eye movements, or other forms of bilateral stimulation, help the nervous system finish processing what it couldn’t at the time. Often central in abuse work, particularly when talk therapy hasn’t moved the needle.
Somatic / Body-Centered Approaches
Somatic approaches work directly with the nervous system and body, not only the mind. They use breath, movement, and body awareness to help release what’s held physically. For many survivors of abuse, this reaches places words alone can’t.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify the beliefs that abuse leaves behind — self-blame, distrust, the sense that you’re somehow too much or not enough — and supports building more accurate ways of seeing yourself.
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-focused therapy helps you develop a kinder relationship with yourself, particularly around the shame and self-criticism that so often follow abuse. It softens the inner voice that says what happened was somehow your fault.
Attachment-Based / Psychodynamic Therapy
Attachment-based and psychodynamic therapy pays attention to the earlier patterns abuse may have shaped — how you connect, trust, and protect yourself. It’s particularly useful when abuse began early or has long roots in your story.
Experiences of abuse can feel isolating, but you do not have to navigate their impact on your own.
With the right support, many people begin to feel more grounded, develop a greater sense of safety, and reconnect with themselves and others in meaningful ways.
Meet Some Our Counsellors
Cathy Underhill
Cathy's goal is to ensure that you feel heard and valued throughout our work together. She believes you are the expert in your own life, and that each person's journey is unique, and there's no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Her training includes EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, as well as Mindfulness and Mindful Self-Compassion.
Rebecca Bonham
Jaqueline Brodbin
Eskay Ilori
Viktoriia Brzhezytska
Over the last 13 years of her practice, Viktoriia has learned to develop safe and trustful relationships with clients that she strongly believes is a foundation of good therapy. She primarily draws on CBT and Schema therapy .
Erica Burdzy
Embodied Awareness of Personal Boundaries Program
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Frequently Asked Questions About Abuse Counselling
Many people come in unsure. Part of the work is making sense of what happened, including whether it fits the word “abuse.” You don’t need a label before you start.
Not unless and until you’re ready. Good trauma work moves at your pace. Your counsellor will follow your lead about what to explore and when.
Yes. Past experiences can continue to impact how you feel and relate to others. Many clients come in years or decades after what happened, often because something in life has brought it closer. It’s not too late to work on it.
You’re welcome to come in. Counselling can be a space to think clearly about what you’re in, what you need, and what options you have. If safety is a concern, your counsellor can help you think through next steps, including safety planning and other resources.