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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer emotional abuse therapy in Alexandria, VA

Start in-person or online sessions with a provider you can trust. We accept most major insurances. Book online or by giving us a call

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting emotional abuse counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a therapist as soon as this week

14  therapists available in Alexandria

I truly believe in creating a safe and understanding space where we can work together toward your mental well-being, honoring your...

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Elena Papathanassiou is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia who is practiced in providing therapeutic care to teens and ...

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I believe life is not without struggles and it is important that we have the necessary support and skills to help better navigate ...

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I am a seasoned and experienced Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about wellness and providing a nonjudgmental and...

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As a therapist, it is my hope to work alongside my clients to discover practical solutions to life's problems....

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Bridget U. Famogun is a compassionate Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She holds a Master of Science degree as a Mental Health Nurs...

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As a person who has suffered depression, i understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issue can be and i am here to w...

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I am curious to listen to assess factors that contribute to the diagnosis, to establish priorities, discuss treatments, and provid...

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As a woman who has treated patients in multiple specialties from all walks of life, I understand the unique yet common goal of eve...

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Chinyere is a board-certified Licensed Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with 12 years of experience as a psychiatric nurse an...

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Jessica Lee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 3 years of experience working with children, adults, and familie...

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Josephine Dakin- Davis is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHMP) in the of state Virginia. With ov...

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My name’s Krista Hale, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in a variety of mental health settings for 45 ...

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Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.

Starting Emotional abuse counseling in Alexandria

What is emotional abuse counseling?

Emotional abuse counseling helps victims heal from abusive relationships. Examples of emotional abuse may include:

  • Blaming others for their own behavior.
  • Publicly mocking, humiliating, name-calling, embarrassing, criticizing.
  • Separating someone from their family and friends.
  • Withholding affection or love.
  • Downplaying another person’s experiences, perspectives, emotions, or thoughts.
  • Using or objectifying people.
  • Denying access to money, medical care, food, transportation, or other crucial resources.
  • Using guilt, threats, or intimidation.

How does emotional abuse counseling work?

Emotional abuse counseling with our Thriveworks therapists in Alexandria gives people the safe space they need to identify and understand the harm they’ve experienced and move forward. Through therapy, many victims have rebuilt their self-esteem and self-worth; recognized that they did not cause the abuse, but their perpetrator is responsible for the choice to harm; identified their wounds and found the treatment they need; healed from trauma; re-established their personal safety; grieved their losses; formed new, loving relationships; and learned to trust their experiences and emotions.

Is emotional abuse counseling conducted in person or online?

Emotional abuse counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does emotional abuse counseling last?

Emotional abuse counseling with one of our Thriveworks therapists in Alexandria, VA can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, depending on the individual’s exact needs and preferences.

Need more help deciding?

Counselors Who Help Emotional Abuse Victims in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Therapy for Safety and Healing

Every relationship will with have tiffs and disagreements at times, and when these are done with respect, they are signs of a healthy and secure connection. However, people who abuse emotionally denigrate, agitates, and control.

Emotional abuse can be defined as the systematic use of feelings to gain control over another person. However, illustrating instances of emotional abuse may be more clear. The following are examples of emotional abuse:

  1. Showing acute possessiveness and jealousy over another (“You are mine”).
  2. Shaming, mocking, humiliating, embarrassing, criticizing, or name-calling, often done publicly (“Can you do anything right?”).
  3. Deflecting responsibility for their own choices and actions onto others (“This is your fault…”).
  4. Isolating someone from their friends and family (“You can’t visit your dad. I need you.”).
  5. Withholding affection and love (Ignoring another person for days).
  6. Falsely blaming another person (“You stole [harmed, lied, forgot, et cetera] …” when they know you did not).
  7. Dismissing and minimizing another person’s thoughts, experiences, or feelings (“You’re just sensitive.”).
  8. Objectifying people (“Man up!” or “You’re such a girl!”).
  9. Intimidating, guilting, or threatening to get what they want (“If you were a good child, you would…”).
  10. Denying accesses to important resources (medical care, food, money, education, and/or transportation).
  11. Harming or trashing another’s possessions without permission (Throwing away an important letter, burning a beloved photo, et cetera).
  12. Crazy-making/gaslighting (Undercutting other people’s confidence in their experiences, memories, feelings, or thoughts).
  13. Outbursts of emotion, particularly anger, that keep others on edge (Emotional responses that do not correlate to situation).

Unseen Wounds to the Spirit

Emotional abuse wounds a person’s mind, soul, and spirit. The injures may not be visible, they may not bleed or scar or bruise, but they are excruciating. There are many forms these wounds can take, including psychosomatic pain, hyper-vigilance, suicide idealization, depression, fear, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. Victims of emotional often experience…

  • Feelings of blame—as if they provoked the abuse or deserved it.
  • Terror of their perpetrator.
  • A distrust of their own experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
  • Doubt that they can do anything that is right.
  • Walking on eggshells around their abuser.
  • Feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness.

Recovering from Emotional Abuse at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia)

If you understand what it is like to be in relationship with someone who is emotionally abusive, there is help. Thriveworks Alexandria counselors have helped many people heal from the trauma that emotional abuse causes. If you are ready to begin therapy, our mental health professionals are ready to meet with you.

Thriveworks Alexandria is ready to give you support and guidance as you re-establish your personal safety. Book online or give our office a call to get started today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Alexandria accept 30 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

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

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

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

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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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Thriveworks is great and Kristi has helped me out tremendously.
Blake Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciated when I spoke on how felt or things I did she let me. She was so calm and easy to talk to!
Melanie Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I've been with Lisa for 5 years, she really gets me and is always down for the hard discussions.
Carrie Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I Appreciated the feedback I got from Nicole. She is a very good listener and gives good advice.
Gina Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I feel heard and supported
Jennifer Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Meghan and Lisa are amazing, kind, informative, understanding, knowledgeable and are perfect examples of how therapy should be!
Elaine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist does an exceptional job.. .
Melinda Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Wooni has done a fantastic job of explaining all of my options along the way as well as the process. She thoroughly discussed all medications and their side effects in addition to non-pharmacological means of managing my symptoms. She is a great provider and I would recommend her to anyone!
Read more Wooni has done a fantastic job of explaining all of my options along the way as well as the process. She thoroughly discussed all medications and their side effects in addition to non-pharmacological means of managing my symptoms. She is a great provider and I would recommend her to anyone!
Loren Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

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
  • Korean
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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

Shown in ET

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