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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer emotional abuse therapy in Richmond, 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

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

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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

10  therapists available in Richmond

As a young professional woman, I understand the challenges of navigating through life's stressors, transitions, and relationships....

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As someone who has worked on understanding my own identity and personal challenges with mental health, I understand the importance...

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As a queer person who has experienced mental health issues in the past, I strive to provide an affirming, safe environment to work...

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Through many years of experience as a medical and mental health social worker, and many years of pain and growth in my own life, I...

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I collaborate with my clients to promote healing in a safe and affirming space....

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As a clinician, I strive to cultivate a comfortable, empowering therapeutic relationship that recognizes the client as a whole per...

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As someone who has experienced the impact of mental health challenges, I provide a unique perspective, level of understanding, and...

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I understand what it is like to seek help from others. My goal is to be a supportive and safe environment for you to continue to c...

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As a therapist who has worked extensively with clients experiencing stress related to depression, anxiety, and trauma, I recognize...

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Paula O’Leary is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has worked in the mental health field for 15 years in a variety of ...

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Starting Emotional abuse counseling in Richmond

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

Need more help deciding?

Recovering from Emotional Abuse in Richmond, VA —Counseling and Therapy

A spouse, a friend, a co-worker, a parent, a religious authority…any relationship can be emotionally abusive. The red-flag for emotional abuse is control. Relationships are healthy when both parties are free to be themselves, to disagree, and to make their own choices. Emotional abuse occurs when one person tries to control the other through emotional manipulation.

If you are in a relationship where someone pulls at your emotions to try and control you, then know that help is available. There are many accessible resources, and one of the most effective is counseling. Many victims re-establish their safety with the help of a skilled therapist.

Thriveworks Richmond offers emotional abuse counseling. We understand the wounds emotional abuse inflicts, and we have walked with many clients as they heal. Reach out today if you think you could benefit from our help.

Emotional Abuse: Love Is Not Controlling

In healthy relationships, there is freedom for disagreements and unique choices. People are distinct beings, and those distinctions should be respected. Emotional abuse, in contrast, is about controlling what another person feels, thinks, and does through emotional manipulation. When there is a pattern of emotional domination, then the relationship is most likely emotionally abusive.

The pattern of emotional abuse is often subtle and harder to identify than other forms of abuse. The following behavior illustrate that pattern:

  1. Irrational jealousy or possessive behaviors.
  2. Openly embarrassing, humiliating, shaming, criticizing, mocking, or name-calling.
  3. Refusing to take any personal responsibility for their behaviors (Blaming others).
  4. Isolating a person from their friends and family.
  5. Denying affection or love until receiving what they want (When you… I will…).
  6. Falsely accusing another of wrongdoing.
  7. Minimizing another’s thoughts and feelings. (“You’re just sensitive…It’s not that bad.”)
  8. Objectifying people.
  9. Using intimidation, threats, or guilt to gain what they want.
  10. Refusing access to vital resources: money, food, transportation, and/or medical care.
  11. Harming or destroying another’s personal or prized possessions without permission.
  12. Gaslighting/crazy-making.
  13. Using anger and moodiness to keep others on edge.

The common thread among these actions is that emotions are used to control another person. Emotional abuse undermines another person’s sense of self and security so that a perpetrator can overshadow their autonomy.

Harm and Loss from Emotional Abuse

When someone is a victim of emotional abuse, their wounds are very real even though they are not visible. Such wounds may include psychosomatic pain, hyper-vigilance, fear, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide idealization. Victims often feel…

  • Frightened of their perpetrator.
  • As everything they do, think, choose, or feel is wrong.
  • Powerless.
  • Fearful of having their own thoughts and feelings.
  • Depressed.
  • Responsible for the emotional abuse.
  • Worthless.
  • Anxious about when the next anger outburst will occur.
  • Crazy.

Schedule Emotional Abuse Counseling at Thriveworks Richmond

The counselors at Thriveworks Richmond want anyone who has experienced emotional abuse to know:

  • No one deserves emotional abuse.
  • Abusers make the choice to harm and are responsible for their choices.
  • The pain is real.
  • Healing from emotional abuse takes time and effort, but it is possible.
  • Your emotional and physical safety are important.

Our therapists understand that you have survived a personal nightmare. You do not have to recover from emotional abuse alone. If you call Thriveworks Richmond today, you may be meeting with your counselor tomorrow. Many new clients have their first appointment within the same week. We offer weekend and evening appointments. We also work with many insurance providers.

If you think you are being controlled or emotionally manipulated by someone in your life, know that Thriveworks Richmond is ready to help. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Richmond 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

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

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Self-pay costs at Richmond
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
★★★★★
Counselor is great meets my needs
Clara Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I loved how much my provider listened and communicated with me!
Sierra Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Opening my eye to the reality of my life
Jwan Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks makes everything easy and seamless. I appreciate having providers that are able to connect and see progress notes because they are part of the same system. My therapist, Paula O'Leary, is an absolutely wonderful therapist and is helping me transform my life. She is able to work with me in the way I need it and helps me more every single session. Additionally, my Psychiatrist Dr. Ileana Asanache is also spectacular and is the only psychiatrist I've ever felt comfortable with. She listens to my concerns and needs and eases me into every medication/transition so that I am comfortable. This new med regimen she has me on has literally changed my life for the better. I the following diagnoses: Bipolar 2, Anxiety, PTSD, Nightmare Disorder, and we are exploring a SUD disorder as well. They have helped me not just with my mental health, but my addiction, my career, my relationships/boundaries, and overall are helping me improve my life immensely.
Read more Thriveworks makes everything easy and seamless. I appreciate having providers that are able to connect and see progress notes because they are part of the same system. My therapist, Paula O'Leary, is an absolutely wonderful therapist and is helping me transform my life. She is able to work with me in the way I need it and helps me more every single session. Additionally, my Psychiatrist Dr. Ileana Asanache is also spectacular and is the only psychiatrist I've ever felt comfortable with. She listens to my concerns and needs and eases me into every medication/transition so that I am comfortable. This new med regimen she has me on has literally changed my life for the better. I the following diagnoses: Bipolar 2, Anxiety, PTSD, Nightmare Disorder, and we are exploring a SUD disorder as well. They have helped me not just with my mental health, but my addiction, my career, my relationships/boundaries, and overall are helping me improve my life immensely.
Katherine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
He is a great listener and gives great advice.
William Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate her identifying my tells in my body language and helping me see them as well. She lets me talk through my experiences. She validates my experiences and has shed light on them with her objective perspective. She was honest enough to tell me when I needed more support and refer me to an IOP program. I am thankful for that. She educates me on her techniques and talks through strategies. .
Read more I appreciate her identifying my tells in my body language and helping me see them as well. She lets me talk through my experiences. She validates my experiences and has shed light on them with her objective perspective. She was honest enough to tell me when I needed more support and refer me to an IOP program. I am thankful for that. She educates me on her techniques and talks through strategies. .
Katrina Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She listens. She is helpful. She tells me the truth. I need to be hit with a 2x4 sometimes and sometimes she does. Thanks
Matthew Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very easy to get started and scheduled with a great therapist, Tameka Boone, who immediately made me feel comfortable.
Alexandra Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is located off of Markel Rd, just south of Libbie Place Shopping Center. Our building is across the street from the Faison Center and next to Pandora’s Lashes and Coates and Davenport, P.C. Our office is in the Enterprise Center, which we share with Liquid Talent Agency and SIL Insurance, among other businesses.

Phone number

(804) 312-5498

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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

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Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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