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

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

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All MA providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!

Starting Emotional abuse counseling

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 Boston 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 Boston, MA can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, depending on the individual’s exact needs and preferences.

Need more help deciding?

Counseling for Emotional Abuse in Boston, MA—Counselors and Therapists

When someone is in an emotionally abusive relationship, they may feel…

  • Afraid of the other person.
  • Anxious about when the next outburst will occur.
  • That they cannot do anything right or good enough.
  • Unable to express their real thoughts and feelings.
  • A lost sense of self.
  • Helpless and/or depressed.
  • Responsible for how they are being treated.
  • Crazy.

Emotional abuse can happen in a marriage, between intimate partners, among friends, from parents to children, in a religious setting, at work, and more. If you or someone you love is in an emotionally abusive relationship, there are many resources available, and some of the best are psychological interventions. Thriveworks Boston offers counseling to help people recover from emotional abuse. Our therapists understand the challenges that people face as they come out of emotionally abusive relationships, and we prioritize their safety and healing. Reach out today for help.

Signs of Emotional Abuse

When people consistently engage in the following behavior toward others, then they may be emotionally abusive…

  1. Publicly humiliating, mocking, embarrassing, name-calling, or criticizing.
  2. Ignoring or belittling another’s opinions and emotions.
  3. Objectifying people.
  4. Using threats, intimidation, or guilt to get what they want.
  5. Displaying excessive jealousy or possessiveness.
  6. Gaslighting.
  7. Moodiness and bursts of anger.
  8. Harming, destroying, or disposing of another’s possessions without permission.
  9. Limiting another’s access to money, transportation, food, health care, or other vital resources.
  10. Falsely accusing.
  11. Withholding love to control another.
  12. Isolating another from other loved ones.
  13. Refusing to accept responsibility for their own actions.

The goal of any kind of abuse is almost always control, and with emotional abuse, feelings are the tools an abuser uses to gain that control over another. Manipulations like gaslighting erode a person’s sense of self so that the abuse can dominate the victim’s life. Healthy relationships promote freedom instead of control, and emotional abuse comes with a host of potential severe consequences for its victims. Anyone who has experience emotional abuse or seen a loved one suffer knows that the effects of emotional abuse are destructive. Victims often suffer with anxiety, fear, depression, hyper-vigilance, suicidal thoughts, psychosomatic pain, substance abuse, and more.

Healing from Emotional Abuse

The toll of emotional abuse is acute, but recovery is possible. Healing from any kind of abuse is a long-term process, and often, people need professional help. With a skilled therapist by their side, many people have recovered from abuse and learned…

  • They are not the problem.
  • The harm was real and deep.
  • Healing from trauma is difficult but possible.
  • How to prioritize their personal safety.
  • Grief is part of recovery.
  • It is possible to love again.
  • They have a voice and a unique self.

Scheduling Counseling for Emotional Abuse at Thriveworks Boston

If you have experienced emotional abuse from a partner, spouse, parent, friend, or anyone, know that you did not deserve this treatment. The abuse was not your fault, and you are worthy of kindness, respect, and love. Thriveworks Boston understands the destruction emotional abuse can cause, and we have walked with many people as they heal. We consider it an honor to help our clients regain their identity, dreams, and value.

If you schedule counseling at Thriveworks Boston, we want you to feel valued from the first time you dial our office. A person will answer your call and help you schedule an appointment. We accept many forms of insurance, and our counselors offer evening and weekend appointments. Many first-time clients meet with their therapists within the week of their call. We are here for support, guidance, and encouragement. Call 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 Boston therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Boston
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

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
For the past year my mental, emotional and physical health has been restored. By God's providence, I connected with a psychiatric nurse practitioner at your agency. She skillfully assessed my situation and quickly prescribed much needed medication. I was at an all time low. Because of her expertise, compassion, and support, my life was renewed. So incredibly grateful to have my life back again.
Read more For the past year my mental, emotional and physical health has been restored. By God's providence, I connected with a psychiatric nurse practitioner at your agency. She skillfully assessed my situation and quickly prescribed much needed medication. I was at an all time low. Because of her expertise, compassion, and support, my life was renewed. So incredibly grateful to have my life back again.
Lillian Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have had a wonderful experience using Thriveworks. The website is easy to use and getting into the Zoom meeting is seamless
Read more I have had a wonderful experience using Thriveworks. The website is easy to use and getting into the Zoom meeting is seamless
Erynn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★☆☆
It was very difficult getting my account up. I believe that happens because when we initially signed up i made the account but it’s under my spouse insurance. After fixing the problem my not his account reflects our current therapy sessions. We get emails and text but when we sign into the thrivework accounts we can’t see the billing cycle to pay or see out upcoming session. Neither one of our accounts display update and current account information. And we have called a few times to get it right and it’s not working . My therapist and agency is splendid
Read more It was very difficult getting my account up. I believe that happens because when we initially signed up i made the account but it’s under my spouse insurance. After fixing the problem my not his account reflects our current therapy sessions. We get emails and text but when we sign into the thrivework accounts we can’t see the billing cycle to pay or see out upcoming session. Neither one of our accounts display update and current account information. And we have called a few times to get it right and it’s not working . My therapist and agency is splendid
Isoke Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My limited time speaking with Marissa has been very help full. She has been very attentive to my needs.
Read more My limited time speaking with Marissa has been very help full. She has been very attentive to my needs.
Gary Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I had the pleasure of working with Francesca about a year ago. Francesca is a versatile, and imaginative clinician. She takes an individual approach to every client and their situation. Her commitment to your growth and healing is of paramount importance to her. You'll be in great hands with her!
Read more I had the pleasure of working with Francesca about a year ago. Francesca is a versatile, and imaginative clinician. She takes an individual approach to every client and their situation. Her commitment to your growth and healing is of paramount importance to her. You'll be in great hands with her!
Boston Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As a former colleague of Francesca Bjork's, when we worked together as educators of young children, I can highly recommend her as an insightful, caring, and knowledgeable counselor. She always seems able to pinpoint the crux of a matter, and help her clients (and coworkers) find the best path. In more than a few instances, when I was faced with a difficult situation, she was always willing to help in any way she could, whether as an ear to listen, an advocate, or a problem-solver. I am glad that she has found a base at Thriveworks, and is able to use her talent to help others.
Read more As a former colleague of Francesca Bjork's, when we worked together as educators of young children, I can highly recommend her as an insightful, caring, and knowledgeable counselor. She always seems able to pinpoint the crux of a matter, and help her clients (and coworkers) find the best path. In more than a few instances, when I was faced with a difficult situation, she was always willing to help in any way she could, whether as an ear to listen, an advocate, or a problem-solver. I am glad that she has found a base at Thriveworks, and is able to use her talent to help others.
Boston Nov 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located at the corner of Emerson Place and Blossom Street, inside the Emerson Place Apartments building. We are located on the opposite side of Route 3 from the Charles River and Lederman Park. Across the street, on the opposite side of Blossom Street, you will find the Mass General Hospital complex.

Phone number

(617) 397-3951

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Urdu
  • English
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
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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