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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer emotional abuse therapy in Newport News, 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

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

Care without the wait

176 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—7 in Newport News. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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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

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As a military spouse, mother, and first-generation college-educated individual, I understand what it is like to face unique challe...

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Emotional abuse counseling FAQs

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 Newport News 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 Newport News, VA 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 for Emotional Abuse in Newport News, VA

Victims of emotional abuse may experience:

  • An ever-present anxiety and fear.
  • The feeling that whatever they do is wrong.
  • Difficulty expressing their own needs, thoughts, and feelings.
  • Walking on eggshells around their abuser, not knowing what will set off the next outburst.
  • Low self-esteem.
  • Being told they deserve the abusive treatment.
  • Mental health challenges.
  • The feeling that they are going crazy.

If you or someone you love is experiencing emotional abuse, know that Thriveworks Newport News offers therapy for emotional abuse. Call or go online to schedule your appointment today.

Defining and Illustrating Emotional Abuse

The following are examples of emotional abuse in action within a relationship:

  1. Criticizing, attacking, shaming, embarrassing, mocking, humiliating, or name-calling (“You are so dumb”).
  2. Devaluing or belittling other people’s experiences, opinions, or feelings (“This is not a big deal—you’re just sensitive”).
  3. Objectifying people (“what a girl” or “man up”).
  4. Utilizing intimidation, threats, or guilt to achieve a desired outcome (“If you were a good friend…”).
  5. Demonstrations of acute jealousy or possessiveness (“I own you.”).
  6. Gaslighting (making people feel crazy and lose trust in their own experiences).
  7. Outbursts of moodiness or anger (Seething over minor infractions).
  8. Trashing another’s valued possessions (Destroying a beloved picture, a cherished family heirloom, et cetera).
  9. Cutting off someone’s access to important resources (money, education, transportation, health care, or food).
  10. Blaming others falsely (“You lied [broke, stole, forgot, et cetera]…” when you did not, and they know it).
  11. Withholding affection or love (Ignoring people).
  12. Making other people feel guilty for spending time with their loved ones (“You never spend time with me! How could you go to your mom’s again?”).
  13. Shifting responsibility for their own choices onto others (“If you hadn’t…I wouldn’t have to..”).

Emotional abuse often begins slowly and then escalates as victims grow used to being treated poorly. Therefore, anyone can become entrapped in an emotionally abusive relationship: men and women, young and old, wealthy and poor, and anyone of any race or with any education level.

Counseling for Emotional Abuse with Thriveworks Newport News

f you are ready to see a mental health professional, Thriveworks Newport News has appointments available for emotional abuse recovery.

Psychoeducation: Provides information about emotional abuse, its effects, and healthy relationships to increase awareness and understanding.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps individuals recognize and challenge distorted beliefs about themselves and their abusers, and develop coping strategies to manage negative emotions and behaviors.
Trauma therapy: Addresses the emotional and psychological impact of emotional abuse, including symptoms of trauma such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Focuses on building emotion regulation skills, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness to manage intense emotions and improve relationships.
Narrative therapy: Assists individuals in reframing their experiences of emotional abuse, exploring alternative narratives, and reclaiming their sense of identity and agency.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Targets traumatic memories associated with emotional abuse through bilateral stimulation to reduce distress and promote emotional healing and resolution.
Schema therapy: Addresses underlying maladaptive patterns or “schemas” developed as a result of emotional abuse, helping individuals challenge and modify these patterns to promote healthier relationships and self-concept.
Support groups: Offer a safe and validating space for survivors of emotional abuse to share experiences, receive validation and support, and learn from others facing similar challenges.
Art therapy: Utilizes creative expression as a therapeutic tool to process emotions, explore trauma-related themes, and facilitate healing and self-discovery.
Mindfulness-based approaches: Incorporate mindfulness practices to cultivate present-moment awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with emotional abuse.

If you contact our office, you may be meeting with a therapist within 7 days of your first call. We also work with many insurance companies and offer weekend and evening hours.

Call Thriveworks Newport News today or book online.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Newport News 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

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Newport News
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 get to talk. Instead of only listening to the therapist. She allows me to speak and get my thoughts out so I can receive her words when she speaks.
Genavieve Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I like how kind and friendly, and caring the staff is. However, the refund is taking a while for reemburshment.
Anabelle Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate being able to discuss my issues freely without feeling a certain type of way or any judgment
Sage Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I like that relationship that has developed, more like a close friendship. Always look forward to each session.
Malika Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Sophia is a great therapist. I love being able to talk to her.
Oliver Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very professional while being supportive. Penne's shares solutions to my situations while empasizing my efforts must be the pathway of my recovery.
Tatyana Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I'm very thankful to have this service available to me. Sometimes it's just a casual conversation, but mostly it gives me a sounding board for what I'm feeling and experiencing between our sessions. It helps to talk it out and get someone else's perspective.
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Abbey Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
So far Sophia and I have worked very well together and she has already provided valuable insight into how to better myself and my action/reaction to various input or situational stimulus! This has been great so far!
Tiara Mar 2026
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 94 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

1030 Loftis Blvd Suite 102
Newport News, VA 23606

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Newport News is located in Port Warwick and near Loftis Boulevard and Nat Turner Boulevard, off Jefferson Avenue. It is just around the corner from the Christopher Newport University campus and the Ferguson Center for the Arts.

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Phone number

(757) 418-8127
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Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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Hours

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 - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm

Shown in ET

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