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941 people sought domestic violence therapy help in Pennsylvania in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Cigna | Evernorth, United Healthcare | Optum, +2 more
Military / Veteran, Domestic Abuse, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +10 more

As an African American female, I believe ethnic and racial identity is the foundation of a person.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, AmeriHealth Administrators, +35 more
Domestic Abuse, LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Self Esteem, +11 more

98 more therapists available in Pennsylvania

Give us a call to schedule your next appointment, or browse through our full list of available providers.

Sarah Babcock

Hear from Sarah Babcock, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Sarah Babcock's profile

What is your go-to approach for domestic violence therapy?

My go-to approach for helping survivors of domestic violence who come to therapy is a person-centered approach. I find it important to treat a client with empathy, genuineness, and understanding, at their own pace, as domestic violence and the levels of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse inflicted by the perpetrator can be incredibly shaming and scary for a survivor to confront.

What tools do you teach in domestic violence therapy?

I provide several tools related to psychoeducation in domestic violence therapy, including:

  • The Power and Control Wheel: a depiction of the different kinds of abuse that can be inflicted on a survivor, including emotional, financial, isolation, physical, etc. This graph discusses how the main reasoning behind DV is for the abuser to gain power and control over the survivor.
  • The Cycle of Violence: a description of how abuse cycles through the Honeymoon Phase, the Tension Building Phase, and the Acute Explosion Phase.
  • The Equality Wheel: similar to the Power and Control Wheel, but shows all the behaviors that should be present in a healthy relationship.
  • Documents from the National DV Hotline that answer questions such as: Why Don't You Just Leave?, What are Trauma Bonds?, How Does Alcohol and Drug Use Affect DV?, What is Consent?, and How Do I Make a Report?
  • Different types of boundaries and how to begin to set them
  • Trauma effects and responses from DV and abuse
  • If a client is still in an abusive relationship, I will help them complete the VIGOR (Victim Inventory of Goals, Options, and Risks): A detailed safety plan to help survivors examine the risks involved of staying in the relationship, the available resources they have within themselves and in the community, and the actual options they have to utilize if they should decide to leave.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in domestic violence therapy?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in DV therapy when they begin to recognize that the abuse was/is not their fault. When they begin to understand that the abuse occurred/is occurring because the perpetrator is seeking power and control, not because the survivor has done anything wrong to welcome the abuse.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement domestic violence therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in DV therapy with continued psychoeducation and exercises about the effects of DV. They can also engage in advocacy from DV agencies in their community, which can help with legal proceedings or speaking to the police, as well as just getting extra support. Additionally, group work can be effective for DV survivors, as they can feel supported and understood by others who have gone through similar situations.

What should someone do to prepare for starting domestic violence therapy?

To prepare for their first domestic violence counseling session, and individual can try to remember that while it will be difficult and emotional, the therapist is there to be judgment-free and to empower the client to regain a positive sense of self and emotional and/or physical safety. The therapist is there to support you, no matter what.

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, depending on the individual’s exact needs and preferences.

Need more help deciding?

Counseling and Therapy in Media, PA—Support for Victims of Domestic Violence

Healing from domestic violence is possible with support from a professional therapist and Thriveworks Media offers counseling for domestic violence survivors. We have helped many clients escape the danger and recover from the trauma.

Schedule your session online or simply give us a call to be matched with a superb therapist.

Domestic Abuse as a Cycle

Domestic abuse nearly always follows the same cycle:

  • The Honeymoon Phase: Even violent relationships have times of peace and possibly even happiness. It’s what can make the abuse so confusing for victims—they often genuinely love their violent partner, just not the abuse.
  • The Tension Building Phase: Tension, however, always builds, and often victims feel as if they must appease the violent partner. In hopes of preventing the looming violence, victims may give into outrageous demands, walk on egg shells, or shield their partner from any stress. Violent partners, however, choose not to be appeased.
  • The Abusive Phase: When the violent partner chooses to act, the abuse may come in the form of verbal, physical, and/or sexual violence. Abuse is never the victim’s fault, and it is illegal. The violent partner may try to blame the abuse on a flaw in the victim; however, harming another person is always a choice. Responsibility always lies on the shoulders of the person who chooses violence.

How Can Thriveworks Help Domestic Violence Survivors?

Thriveworks in Media, PA can offer support in domestic violence therapy using the following methods, among others:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps survivors of domestic violence identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to manage trauma-related symptoms.
  • Trauma-focused therapy: This approach focuses on processing traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, helping survivors heal from the emotional wounds of domestic violence.
  • Safety planning: Therapists work with survivors to develop personalized safety plans to protect themselves and their loved ones from further harm, empowering them to make informed decisions about their well-being.
  • Psychoeducation: Psychoeducational sessions provide survivors with information about the dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of trauma on mental health, and available resources and support services.
  • Empowerment-focused therapy: This approach focuses on rebuilding survivors’ sense of self-worth, autonomy, and empowerment, helping them regain control over their lives and establish healthy boundaries.

Counseling for Victims of Domestic Violence

At Thriveworks Media, our therapists understand domestic violence and the harm you may face. Call Thriveworks Media today or schedule online to start seeing one of our skilled providers.

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 Media therapists and counselors accept 42 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth Pennsylvania

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Media
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

Thriveworks Media has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Pennsylvania.

4.5 Thriveworks Media reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Media is located off of N Jackson St, and our building is in the center of Cooper St., W 6th St., W 7th St., and N Jackson St.

Phone number

(610) 557-1991

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
  • Japanese
  • Korean
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in ET

Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in ET

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