Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

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 provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +18 more
Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, Self Esteem, Stress, ADHD, +6 more

As a counselor, I am excited to work with my clients on their goals and to help them increase overall functioning to where they are able to move forwa... As a counselor, I am excited to work with my clients on their goals and to help them increase overall functioning to where they are able to move forward in life and have the skills needed to handle challenges and symptoms. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +20 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +6 more

I enjoy forming open and empathetic relationships with my clients and walking with them through their path to healing and actualization.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +19 more
Military / Veteran, Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +7 more

I am here to support and guide you through the counseling process.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +18 more
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Addiction, +8 more

As an adult child of alcoholic parents, with over two decades of sobriety, I understand the insanity and struggle of addiction.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +8 more

Starting therapy can be really intimidating; I'm honored you're taking the first step with me.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +19 more
Domestic Abuse, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Stress, +9 more

Your trauma is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +20 more
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Divorce / Breakup, +6 more

With 18 years of experience in the mental health field working with a variety of clientele, I value establishing an authentic connection with my clien... With 18 years of experience in the mental health field working with a variety of clientele, I value establishing an authentic connection with my clients and working to meet their individual goals. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +20 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, +8 more

I am looking forward to meeting with you to assist you in the healing process.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +18 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +7 more

As an experienced therapist, I will work to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +19 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +4 more

Everyone has the right to be heard.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Cigna | Evernorth, +3 more
Anger, Infidelity, Men’s Issues, Self Esteem, Stress, +12 more

I firmly believe that the counseling process is a collaborative one, and I am excited to walk alongside you during this journey.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +19 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, Postpartum / Pregnancy, +5 more

As a therapist, I consider it a great honor and responsibility to listen and share in the thoughts, feelings, and life experiences of others.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS, Carelon, +18 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, Career, +5 more

As a cognitive behavioral and emotion focused provider, I understand that who you are now and who you want to be in the future, are probably not as fa... As a cognitive behavioral and emotion focused provider, I understand that who you are now and who you want to be in the future, are probably not as far apart as you think. Read more

Starting Emotional abuse counseling

What is Emotional abuse counseling?

Emotional abuse counseling helps victims heal from abusive relationships. Emotional abuse includes 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 Lynchburg 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 the 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 Lynchburg, VA can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, depending on the individual's exact needs and preferences.

Need more help deciding?

Emotional abuse is at the forefront of many social discussions these days, but the concept has been around for a long time. The 1940s movie, “Gaslight” with Ingrid Bergman displayed an emotionally abusive marriage on the silver screen. Bergman’s character is slowly and deliberately driven crazy by her husband. The movie even coined the term, “gaslighting.” More importantly, it captured and portrayed the destruction emotional abuse can cause.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is a nursery rhyme that even children know is not true. Far more than a hastily spoken, harsh word, emotional abuse is a deliberate pattern of behavior that uses emotions to gain control over another person. It may not wound the body, but emotional abuse inflicts serious damage upon a person’s soul.

Many interventions are available to victims of emotional abuse, and some of the best are through mental health counseling. Experienced and caring counselors can often help people come out of an emotionally abuse relationships, establish their personal safety, and heal their wounds. Thriveworks Lynchburg’s counselors have walked that path with many victims of emotional abuse.

Emotional Abuse—Control through Emotional Manipulation

All relationships have heated disagreements. When differences are respected, quarrels are a normal and even healthy. Emotional abuse, however, is very different than a passionate disagreement. Emotional abuse occurs when one person seeks to control another through deliberate emotional manipulation.

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior—not a one-time event, and the manipulative behaviors often begin subtly. Victims may have difficulty recognizing the manipulation or the control because it is rarely overt or egregious at first. Perpetrators can then escalate the abuse as victims are desensitized to it.

The behaviors that constitute emotional abuse are endless. The key to determining whether an action is abusive is whether the action is controlling. The following are examples of controlling behaviors that would be considered emotionally abusive:

  1. Refusing to accept any personal responsibility for one’s behavior.
  2. Public humiliation, embarrassment, mocking, name-calling, criticizing, et cetera.
  3. Isolating someone from their friends and family.
  4. Withholding affection or love.
  5. Minimizing another’s emotions, perspective, or thoughts (e.g., “You’re just sensitive.”).
  6. Falsely accusing (specially to distract from personal responsibility).
  7. Using or objectifying people.
  8. Cutting off access to medical care, food, money, transportation, or other necessary resources.
  9. Using threats, guilt, or intimidation to achieve a desired outcome.
  10. Without permission, disposing of or harming someone’s personal possessions (in particular, possessions that have special meaning).
  11. Using anger or moodiness to keep people on edge.
  12. Severely jealous or possessive behavior.
  13. Gaslighting.

Men and women can be the victims of emotional abuse. It can occur in many different kinds of relationships—a marriage, a friendship, from parent to child, from adult-child to parent, within a spiritual community, at a workplace, and more. The old, young, poor, rich, and any race can experience emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse undercuts an individual’s self-worth and can leave deep emotional wounds. Victims often fight hyper-vigilance, fear, depression, anxiety, suicidal idealization, psychosomatic pain, substance abuse, and more.

Healthy relationships respect each individual’s autonomy and promote each individual’s welfare. However, people who use emotional manipulation to abuse often make their victim feel…

  • Acute fear.
  • Like everything they do is wrong or bad.
  • Helpless.
  • As if they are stupid or unimportant.
  • That they cannot express their real thoughts and feelings.
  • Depressed.
  • As if the emotional abuse is their own fault.
  • As if they are walking on egg shells.
  • Crazy.

Healing the Wounds of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse creates a toxic environment, but escaping and healing from that toxicity is possible. With time and with a professional’s guidance, many people find relief from the abuse, including…

  • Reclaiming their self-worth—abuse is never deserved or justified.
  • Seeing how their abuser is responsible for his/her decision to hurt.
  • The wounds may be invisible, but they are real.
  • Healing from trauma recovery is a challenge, but it is possible.
  • Re-prioritizing their emotional and physical safety.
  • Grieving their losses to find healing.
  • Building new relationships on love and trust.
  • Learning to trust themselves again.

Counseling for Emotional Abuse at Thriveworks Lynchburg

If you have experienced emotional abuse, know that it is not your fault and that you are not alone. The counselors at Thriveworks Lynchburg understand the hell you have survived, and we want each of our clients to receive the kindness, respect, and love they deserve.

If you contact our office, know that we want to make scheduling therapy as easy as possible. We work with most insurance providers, and we offer evening and weekend appointments. New clients often see their counselor within 24 hours of their call.

If you are read to reclaim your sense of self, Thriveworks Lynchburg is here to help. 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 Lynchburg therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

Show more
Self-pay costs at Lynchburg
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

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My therapist has helped me a lot and I'm going to continue with my session to approve myself even more
Read more My therapist has helped me a lot and I'm going to continue with my session to approve myself even more
Natasha Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It was so difficult to find a therapist my daughter liked. So glad I made the initial call to Thriveworks. She was matched to a therapist that she finally talks to! She liked her so much that now my oldest daughter and I use her therapist as well. We love Lora!
Read more It was so difficult to find a therapist my daughter liked. So glad I made the initial call to Thriveworks. She was matched to a therapist that she finally talks to! She liked her so much that now my oldest daughter and I use her therapist as well. We love Lora!
Shannon Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
It been comforting talking to someone who understands what you are going through.
Holly Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Lynn Lemmon is a wonderful therapist! I feel so comfortable with her!
Amy Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kim is the absolute best counselor! She is very kind and caring and adapts to whatever works best for you personally. She does not use the typical counselor answers or “by the book” responses. She talks to you like you are a real person. She always make me feel like the things that I am going through are important and the feelings are valid. She provides a completely judgement free zone to talk about anything that is needed. She understands that things take time and she does not force you to talk about anything. She allows you to process in your own time. She has a way of working with me that allows me to fully trust her. Kim has a heart of Gold! You can tell throughout your sessions with her that this is more than just a job for her. You feel legitimately cared for by her. You can tell that she genuinely wants to help you to move through the things that are holding you back in life. She’s very encouraging and reassuring. Her genuine compassion and encouragement helps me feel like I am actually important and deserving of growth. I would highly recommend Kim as your counselor if you are looking for someone who will make you feel valued and heard and not like you are just another name on their client list! She has definitely made a huge impact on my life!
Read more Kim is the absolute best counselor! She is very kind and caring and adapts to whatever works best for you personally. She does not use the typical counselor answers or “by the book” responses. She talks to you like you are a real person. She always make me feel like the things that I am going through are important and the feelings are valid. She provides a completely judgement free zone to talk about anything that is needed. She understands that things take time and she does not force you to talk about anything. She allows you to process in your own time. She has a way of working with me that allows me to fully trust her. Kim has a heart of Gold! You can tell throughout your sessions with her that this is more than just a job for her. You feel legitimately cared for by her. You can tell that she genuinely wants to help you to move through the things that are holding you back in life. She’s very encouraging and reassuring. Her genuine compassion and encouragement helps me feel like I am actually important and deserving of growth. I would highly recommend Kim as your counselor if you are looking for someone who will make you feel valued and heard and not like you are just another name on their client list! She has definitely made a huge impact on my life!
Lynchburg Jul 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Working with Dr. Tiffany Stephens has been so helpful! She is very approachable, easy to talk to, and genuinely cares about concerns and circumstances. She can help think through problems and works toward a better outlook and teaching real skills that help toward calmness and strength in the midst of complicated issues. She helps teach courage to be vulnerable in the moment, so I can learn patterns and work at replacing them with more healthy ones— her style of preparing clients to approach things differently makes all the difference when difficulty arises. I feel safe and confident (but not tight and overly-clinical) when talking with her. I absolutely recommend working with her if you are working toward a better you!
Read more Working with Dr. Tiffany Stephens has been so helpful! She is very approachable, easy to talk to, and genuinely cares about concerns and circumstances. She can help think through problems and works toward a better outlook and teaching real skills that help toward calmness and strength in the midst of complicated issues. She helps teach courage to be vulnerable in the moment, so I can learn patterns and work at replacing them with more healthy ones— her style of preparing clients to approach things differently makes all the difference when difficulty arises. I feel safe and confident (but not tight and overly-clinical) when talking with her. I absolutely recommend working with her if you are working toward a better you!
Lynchburg Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr. Tiffany Stephens is an amazing therapist. She is engaging as well as empathetic. I highly recommend Tiffany for anyone looking for a highly skilled and compassionate therapist.
Read more Dr. Tiffany Stephens is an amazing therapist. She is engaging as well as empathetic. I highly recommend Tiffany for anyone looking for a highly skilled and compassionate therapist.
Lynchburg Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Bryan Hunsley has been a great help in providing counseling to myself and my husband! He begins our ZOOM sessions on time. Bryan is great at his job in that he is easy to talk to and nonjudgmental. His feedback is even tempered (appropriate, positive and welcoming), plus clear and easy to understand. My husband and I feel that Bryan provides sensitive care and treats us both with ultimate respect! He is flexible in that he can easily switch gears according to the urgency of our needs for any particular session and is quick to offer any needed support between sessions. He provides a professional high quality of care that is also relaxing and informative. I am more than satisfied with his services being provided and find myself looking forward to the next session! Bryan has and continues to strengthen our marital wellness with his superb counseling expertise!
Read more Bryan Hunsley has been a great help in providing counseling to myself and my husband! He begins our ZOOM sessions on time. Bryan is great at his job in that he is easy to talk to and nonjudgmental. His feedback is even tempered (appropriate, positive and welcoming), plus clear and easy to understand. My husband and I feel that Bryan provides sensitive care and treats us both with ultimate respect! He is flexible in that he can easily switch gears according to the urgency of our needs for any particular session and is quick to offer any needed support between sessions. He provides a professional high quality of care that is also relaxing and informative. I am more than satisfied with his services being provided and find myself looking forward to the next session! Bryan has and continues to strengthen our marital wellness with his superb counseling expertise!
Lynchburg Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Child Therapy Lynchburg is located on Jefferson St. in the heart of the downtown area. The James River runs directly behind our building, which we share with Zola’s Beauty Studio and Stimulus Adverstising and Web Design.

Phone number

(434) 771-0495

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • 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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