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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer domestic violence therapy in Alexandria, VA

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

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1,235 people sought domestic violence therapy help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting domestic violence therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 129 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Domestic violence therapy

What is Domestic violence therapy?

Domestic violence therapy is a specialized form of counseling that helps victims and their families heal from abusive relationships. It is a crucial component of the broader efforts to address and combat domestic violence, a pattern of abusive behaviors within intimate relationships that can encompass physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or economic abuse.

How does Domestic violence therapy work?

In domestic violence therapy, therapists create a safe and supportive environment. Domestic violence therapy is often part of a broader support network that includes legal assistance, shelters, and community resources. Its aim is to break the cycle of abuse, promote safety, and foster healthier relationships.

Is Domestic violence therapy conducted in person or online?

Domestic violence therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Domestic violence therapy last?

Domestic violence therapy can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, dependent on the individual's exact needs and preferences.

Need more help deciding?

“I don’t know why I stay. I don’t know why I deserve this. I don’t know why you do this, why we do this, why this keeps happening.” – Celeste

The hit novel Big Little Lies and HBO’s adaptation of it have become a sensation. Laine Moriarty’s page-turner has thrilled readers and viewers alike, but it has also accomplished something very important. Big Little Lies has put a spotlight on the prevalence and dynamics of domestic violence.

(Spoiler alert. Skip ahead if you have not read the book or seen the show)

Celeste, a main character, is the envy of everyone. She has a dream life with friends, children, beauty, money, romance, comfort, and more. Celeste, however, also has a deep secret—her life is not in reality what it appears to be. Her husband hits her.

Anyone who has survived domestic violence knows that things are not always as they seem. The reality that happens inside of a home does not always match the presentation outside of the home. Leaving a violent relationship is much harder than it seems. Often, victims need the support of family, friends, and a skilled therapist to find the safety they need.

The therapists at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) understand how to support people who are experiencing domestic violence. We know what it takes to navigate the dangers and find a place of safety.

Domestic Abuse: A Serious Situation

A person’s home should be the safest place in the world, but for many, their homes are the most unsafe places to be. Domestic abuse has turned their homes into a place of verbal, physical, and/or sexual violence that may or may not explode at any moment.

Violence and the environment if fosters have long-term, serious effects upon their victims. Living in an abusive environment means the body’s fight-or-flight system that naturally responds to danger is engaged often, if not at all times.

The body’s natural response to danger, “is wonderful if you’re in a forest and there’s a bear,” said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris. “But the problem is what happens when the bear comes home every night, and this system is activated over and over and over again, and it goes from being adaptive, or life-saving, to maladaptive, or health-damaging.” When it senses danger, the brain releases cortisol and adrenalin, stress hormones that help the body respond to the threat. However, when these hormones are released too often, they have detrimental effects upon people’s health.

Thus, domestic violence victims face the immediate health problems of injures from the abuse, but also the continuing effects of their toxic, threatening home life.

One woman described the dynamic well, saying, “He would be alternately kind and then fly off the handle for no reason. I always lived in fear of his temper. It was very stressful.”

The Domestic Violence Cycle

This woman’s experience is not unique. While the details of each circumstance may differ, the pattern of domestic violence is almost always the same: romantic or overly nice behavior, followed by tension and blame, followed by abuse, followed by romantic or overly nice behavior again. This cycle can take years, or it can take minutes.

The Honeymoon Phase: This phase is often the what makes domestic violence so confusing and terrible for victims. People’s behavior is rarely abhorrent all the time. Perpetrators of abuse use the good times to fool their victims into thinking, “that was the last time. He apologized and promised. It won’t happen again.”

The Tension Building Phase: At some point, inevitably, the niceties and the romantic gifts are dropped, and tension builds again. Victims often attempt to appease their partners or give into outrageous demands to please them. Victims may even try to shelter their partner from stress and bad news, all in attempt to avert the harm they feel is coming.

The Abusive Phase: Domestic violence may involve physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse—all of which are illegal. The abuse is never the victim’s fault, although perpetrators of domestic violence often blame their victims.

Am I in a Harmful Relationship?

Just as there is often a pattern to domestic violence, there are also early warning signs that a relationship is not healthy or safe. Seemingly odd behaviors that are the first warnings of domestic violence usually center around the idea of control: one partner wants to control what the other thinks, wears, says, does, feels, and more. If the person you are in a relationship with exhibits any of these common signals of future domestic violence, it may be time to seek help.

  • Prohibiting (or showing irritation when) you spend time with family or friends
  • Calling you derogatory names (even in “jest”)
  • Subtly putting you down or being defensive about your talents/abilities
  • Threatening you
  • Coercing you into sex or sexual acts when you have said, “no,” or where you feel uncomfortable
  • Harming you, your kids, or your pets
  • Dissuading you from going to school or working
  • Trying to take away agency, the ability to make decisions—such as what to wear, how to spend money, where to go, and more
  • Blaming/criticizing you for their behavior

Counseling for Domestic Violence

Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) counselors understand the dynamics of domestic violence, and they know how to guide victims through pitfalls and dangers of a harmful relationship.

When you reach out to Thriveworks Alexandria, VA know that a person will answer your call and be able to schedule your appointment for counseling. You may even be able to see your therapist within 24 hours. We accept many insurance plans and offer convenient, after-hour appointments because we want to see our clients receive the help they need.

Has an abusive cycle caught you in its trap? Know that it is not your fault and know that we are here to help. Call Thriveworks Alexandria today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off of Franconia Rd., just behind Oak Tree Plaza. We share a building with MRM Associates. Right next door to us is a MakeSpace, and the closest bus stop is at Franconia Rd. & Beulah St.

Phone number

(703) 454-8246

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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