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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 provider as soon as this week

Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), +21 more
Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Self Esteem, Stress, +7 more

I have a wide range of experience with behavioral health disorders that include bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, and subst... I have a wide range of experience with behavioral health disorders that include bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, and substance use disorders, as well as various treatment modalities. Empathy and building a trusting relationship are essential in treatment. From there, we can make changes to help you get to a better place. Read more

Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), +20 more
LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, +9 more

I am a therapist passionate about creating a safe, understanding, non-judgmental space where we can work together to explore and navigate life's chall... I am a therapist passionate about creating a safe, understanding, non-judgmental space where we can work together to explore and navigate life's challenges at your own pace. Read more

68 more therapists available in Massachusetts

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

Need more help deciding?

When you hear the word abuse, you probably think of the physical acts—the ones that leave a victim visibly battered and hurt. Your mind probably skips right over another serious, scarring form of abuse: emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is rooted in the manipulation of another’s emotions to control them. It is far more common than physical abuse, and it, too, leaves one battered and hurt—just on the inside.

“Emotional abuse is like brainwashing in that is systematically wears away at the victim’s self-confidence, sense of self, trust in her perceptions and self-concept.” –Beverly Engel

It’s often difficult to detect emotional abuse. The victims feel shame or guilt and so they don’t open up about their experience; they don’t seek help. Common beliefs include: “I deserved it,” “I’m overreacting,” “Nobody wants to hear my pity story,” and “They wouldn’t believe me if I told them.” That said, it’s important these individuals do open up about their experience and seek help, as emotional abuse can hurt one for years to come. Here at Thriveworks Counseling in Newton, MA, we believe that you can heal from abuse and live a happy life again. And emotional abuse counseling can play an instrumental role in accomplishing that mission.

What Constitutes Emotional Abuse?

Emotional abusers use various tactics to control their victim(s), like shaming and intimidation. Here are a few of these techniques explored, with examples:

  • Criticism: Abusers will criticize the victim on a regular basis and convince them that they deserve this criticism. Here’s an example: Sam throws all of the dirty laundry into the washing machine. Later, when he switches the clothes over to the dryer, he forgets to take out Sarah’s new blouse. He sees that it shrank to half its previous size and kicks himself for it. When Sarah finds out, she criticizes him for it and calls him “worthless.” He agrees, declaring he can’t do anything right.
  • Humiliation: Emotional abusers also often use humiliation to their benefit; they relentlessly tear their victim down in front of others. Here’s an example: Elina and Jack are celebrating Elina’s job promotion over a nice dinner at their favorite restaurant. When the waiter brings the check, Elina snatches it and teases Jack for making less money than her. “Don’t put the check in front of him, he couldn’t possibly afford this dinner on his salary,” she tells the waiter.

Other tactics of emotional abuse include isolation, mind games, bullying, insults, and excuses for the abuser’s unacceptable behavior. They’ll use whatever techniques allow them to gain more and more control over their victim.

How Can Emotional Abuse Counseling Help?

The first step in healing from emotional abuse is removing yourself from the abusive relationship or situation. This might mean breaking up with your abusive boyfriend or girlfriend, moving out to separate yourself from an abusive parent, or cutting ties with an abusive friend. The next step is to process the abuse and do your best to understand how it affected/is affecting you. An emotional abuse counselor at Thriveworks in Newton can help you make these strides toward healing and moving past the damage of emotional abuse.

Start Emotional Abuse Counseling at Thriveworks in Newton Today

If you are a victim of emotional abuse, consider partnering up with a counselor at Thriveworks in Newton. Our providers are qualified and trained to help you heal from this traumatic experience. They can help you understand, process, and move forward from the abuse. Ultimately, their mission is to assist you in living the happy, healthy life that you deserve. To schedule a session or learn more about our services, call (617) 992-2827.

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 Newton therapists and counselors accept 23 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

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Newton
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
★★★★★
Dr. Martin Hill has been incredibly understanding, helpful and walking me through the struggles I have been facing.
Tara Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
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Carmen Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★☆☆
The therapist dedicates their full attention to the patient, ensuring an undistracted and focused environment for effective communication and support.
Dimitry Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Christine is a great therapist that regularly gives me 'brain-expanding' ways of thinking and dealing with anxiety. My anxiety has changed and lessened so significantly since I started seeing her and I always look forward to sessions.
Abhijith Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
my therapist was extremely patient with me, and very kind.
Paige Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
This has been my first time in therapy inspite of years of recognizing I could probably benefit from therapy. I'm sure we all initially come to therapy with our own preconceptions and a sense of 'what should I expect?' I even left my first couple of appointments wondering, 'Did I do that right?' But despite those reservations I immediately felt at ease sharing with Marina. I genuinely don't know how exactly she did it, but she was able to very quickly establish a rapport with me that's allowed me to open up in ways I wasn't sure I'd be able to. I've often finished a session and said to my partner, 'I love therapy'. That sense of being lighter and feeling heard and seen is the part of therapy I've appreciated the most.
Read more This has been my first time in therapy inspite of years of recognizing I could probably benefit from therapy. I'm sure we all initially come to therapy with our own preconceptions and a sense of 'what should I expect?' I even left my first couple of appointments wondering, 'Did I do that right?' But despite those reservations I immediately felt at ease sharing with Marina. I genuinely don't know how exactly she did it, but she was able to very quickly establish a rapport with me that's allowed me to open up in ways I wasn't sure I'd be able to. I've often finished a session and said to my partner, 'I love therapy'. That sense of being lighter and feeling heard and seen is the part of therapy I've appreciated the most.
Emily Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I appreciate the flexibility and how easy my therapist is to talk to.
Michelle Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Danielle is incredibly helpful in me understanding my diagnosis and recognizing destructive thought patterns. I quite honestly would be in a much worse mental state if I did not have the input and guidance that Danielle has provided. I appreciate her knowledge and expertise when it comes to understanding anxiety and the triggers that may cause it.
Read more Danielle is incredibly helpful in me understanding my diagnosis and recognizing destructive thought patterns. I quite honestly would be in a much worse mental state if I did not have the input and guidance that Danielle has provided. I appreciate her knowledge and expertise when it comes to understanding anxiety and the triggers that may cause it.
Michael Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Newton is off of Boylston Street and Jackson Street. We share a building with Razelles Skin Care Salon. Down the road is a Life Time Fitness and Winston Flowers.

Phone number

(617) 380-4684

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Greek
  • Russian
  • English
  • French
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