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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

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

Care without the wait

164 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—7 in Richmond. 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

Richmond, VA

As a therapist, I will do all that I can to learn who you are and what you're looking for, and then help create truly meaningful c...

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Richmond, VA

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

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Richmond, VA

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

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Richmond, VA

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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Richmond, VA

Growing up in a working-class, single-parent home shaped my empathy, and I bring personal and professional experience to meet each...

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Richmond, VA

Meredith Golob is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an extensive history working with children, adults, and families dealing...

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Richmond, VA

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

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We don’t have any providers with availability. Our schedules change daily. We’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up.

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 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 insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Richmond accept 32 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 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
★★★★★
I feel very comfortable with my provider and feel like she understands the issues and concerns in my life. She listens and offers reassurance that my issues are manageable and or gives guidance on how to look at issues differently. I value the experience with her.
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Lily Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
When receiving a link via text or email from Thriveworks to complete pre-session questionnaires, the links prompt a login. The login method is almost always to send a code to your email. It would be helpful to just be prompted for a username/password, so I don't have to see the email, click the link, open in external browser, go back to the email for the code, back to the browser to verify the code, THEN finally get to my questionnaire.
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Mariana Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Appreciate how easy it is to join the video conference, and to schedule a follow up session. Paula is great! She is a great listener and gives very practical advice.
Jeremiah Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
How responsive the provider was to a request for an appointment.
Janae Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Christin has worked with me very patiently for far longer than I've deserved and basically helped me navigate Covid in one piece.
Henry Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Christy listens. She pays attention. She offers insights I never thought of and points out successes that I view negatively. I really enjoy working with her and look forward to our next session every week.
Vivian Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Annette has a unique understanding of what it means to be a caregiver of a loved one who is dying. She is also not afraid to talk about spirituality. I feel understood and supported.
Ebony Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She’s always good at helping me work through issues using critical thinking and therapeutic techniques
Eduardo Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 185 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

5310 Markel Rd Suite 102
Richmond, VA 23230

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is located near Markel Rd and Fitzhugh Ave, off W Broad St. It is a short distance from the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital and right by the Libbie Mill Library.

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Phone number

(804) 312-5498
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Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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Hours

Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
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

Shown in ET

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