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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a emotional abuse counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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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 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 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Richmond therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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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

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have looked so long for a new counselor and finally found a wonderful therapist through thrive works… Rhiannon Price has been working with me and has helped me so much
Read more I have looked so long for a new counselor and finally found a wonderful therapist through thrive works… Rhiannon Price has been working with me and has helped me so much
Michelle Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★☆☆☆
My experience has been somewhat less desiring. My ongoing sessions with the counselor is not as expected. It’s not engaging and oftentimes we are sitting in silence. I even asked if there was an ending game plan so we know where we are working towards and I didn’t get an answer.
Read more My experience has been somewhat less desiring. My ongoing sessions with the counselor is not as expected. It’s not engaging and oftentimes we are sitting in silence. I even asked if there was an ending game plan so we know where we are working towards and I didn’t get an answer.
Chris Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have known Scott Beach personally and professionally for almost 15 years. He is a caring and compassionate individual and an outstanding clinician. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking to engage with an ethical and skilled counselor who will meet you where you are without judgment and work with you to achieve your counseling goals!
Read more I have known Scott Beach personally and professionally for almost 15 years. He is a caring and compassionate individual and an outstanding clinician. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking to engage with an ethical and skilled counselor who will meet you where you are without judgment and work with you to achieve your counseling goals!
Richmond Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ashley Crouch has been been a blessing to me over the past year. I cannot begin to thank her enough for how she has impacted my life. She is very effective, professional, and respectful. My quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds and I'm forever grateful. I live in a rural area with few counseling options, so online counseling was a Godsend, and so was Ashley!
Read more Ashley Crouch has been been a blessing to me over the past year. I cannot begin to thank her enough for how she has impacted my life. She is very effective, professional, and respectful. My quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds and I'm forever grateful. I live in a rural area with few counseling options, so online counseling was a Godsend, and so was Ashley!
Richmond Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Exceptional service.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve been seeing Ashley for about a month now at Thriveworks and I couldn’t be happier. She really helped me get back to person I use to be. I’ve had a rough couple years and she has me well on my way to a better me.
Read more I’ve been seeing Ashley for about a month now at Thriveworks and I couldn’t be happier. She really helped me get back to person I use to be. I’ve had a rough couple years and she has me well on my way to a better me.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Great scheduling service. Emma Denat is fantastic as a counselor. Highly recommend this practice.
Read more Great scheduling service. Emma Denat is fantastic as a counselor. Highly recommend this practice.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
So far, everything with Thriveworks has been great - easy to schedule, easy to meet, and really finding great help all around.
Read more So far, everything with Thriveworks has been great - easy to schedule, easy to meet, and really finding great help all around.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

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

  • Polish
  • English
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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