HELP NOW WITH ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Too often in our community people suffer abuse and violence cloaked in words of love and hidden behind closed doors. You may have come to this page because you are in this situation, or because someone you care about is.

Abuse can come in different forms; emotional abuse and bullying (very common), physical and financial abuse and finally family abuse where one person is victimised within a family group. My clients include both females and males who have experienced being battered.  [Sexual abuse of children and adults is discussed here.]

Counselling firstly provides a place of safety and respite where you can feel able to share pain and suffering without shame or judgment. Together we can talk about safety issues for yourself and any children who may be involved. Counselling will provide a safe space for you to consider your options without pressure from me. Clients are often ambivalent about staying in or leaving a relationship or a marriage – working together may help give you clarity. Finally community referral options can be discussed – there are resources available for people experiencing abuse.

For men and sometimes women who are at risk of being violent to others or have committed acts of violence, therapy can provide a means of understanding and coping with anger and fear.  Ways of controlling and modifying behaviour can be learned.

Over the longer term, psychotherapy may help a client understand why he or she has made choices in life. Some can find that abusive relationships are a pattern in their experience and would like to be able to make different decisions in the future.

If you are a woman you may have reservations about working with a male therapist and I understand this. My female clients do trust me and have been helped. However this sensitive decision is yours alone to make.

An important warning. If you give me information that leads me to believe a child is currently at risk of serious harm, it is mandatory for me to inform the authorities. Under NSW law I have no choice in this.

NEXT STEPS

To find out more about working with me click on any of the buttons at the top of the page (a good place to start is Home ). You can check for available appointment times here.

MY GUARANTEE

As a counsellor I know that I can help most people who come to see me, with a wide range of issues. However, the single most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. You cannot know whether you will have that necessary confidence and trust until we meet. If you end your first session feeling that you haven’t been helped at all and you do not wish to return then tell me. I will gladly refund the initial fee in full, without qualification.