Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

DV/IPV can affect anyone--regardless of sexuality, gender, age, religion, ability, nationality, neurodivergence. I validate clients' experiences, educate on dynamics of abuse within relationships, and work with you to remain safe, whether that means while in the relationship or not.

I began my work at Peace Over Violence, a non profit organization that offered free services including therapy, crisis intervention, legal services, and more to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. My training there educated me on the legal aspects of both, and how to best emotionally support populations who are hoping to escape, have escaped, or have long been out of abusive dynamics.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

I have 15 years working with survivors of domestic violence and IPV. I am very passionate about empowering individuals who are either in an abusive relationship or are trying to leave one. Abuse comes in all forms and does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Everyone is entitled to be supported by a professional with the skills necessary to navigate such a delicate yet volatile situation.

I have extensive experience and training working with victims of domestic violence. I started my career in social work managing a shelter and transitional housing program for victims. I have provided one-on-one counseling and group support to women struggling with identifying their relationship situation. I started a program for Lesbian victims of domestic abuse and the impact of oppression and queer-identity on same-sex dynamics in abusive relationships.

I have extensive experience working with survivors of domestic violence.

I have received extensive training in treating the effects of domestic violence in adults, teens and children. I continue to work primarily with clients who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence in various capacities throughout their lives. I also work with adult survivors of domestic violence and their children together to help establish healthy healing dynamics after the family has left an abusive dynamic.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

My entire life people that I love have been harmed by people who "love" them. From early high school to the present I come up against bullies that use the blunt and cowardly weapon of violence to preserve their personal world order or to expel their own hurt onto others. I have worked as a domestic violence advocate in confidential shelter, and with trafficked girls in jail. The meaning of helping someone find the call to freedom and joy from incarcerations of this kind is unspeakable.

Getting hurt by someone you’ve cared for is especially painful. While the physical traumas can be scary as hell, the emotional traumas can take a lot more work to heal. When I work with domestic violence survivors certain themes come up over and over again. Survivors often wonder if something’s wrong with them, why this person hurt them and why they might still care for them. These are complex questions worthy of exploration. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

I have worked at a domestic violence agency for over seven years providing advocacy-based counseling, safety planning and crisis intervention, facilitating support groups and therapy processing groups and providing individual therapy to adult survivors of intimate partner violence. I use a survivor-driven and DV-informed approach, and have trained other mental health providers on how to use this approach.

I am a certified domestic violence counselor for the state of Connecticut. I worked with the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a safe house advocate for 10 years and have gone through extensive trainings to support survivors of domestic violence. I also have court experience and have been in roles as a state victim advocate helping victims/survivors of domestic violence navigate these difficult systems.

Research shows that both men and women can be victims of domestic violence or family violence, and both can be perpetrators as well. I have developed and published a domestic violence documentation format which also serves as an interview guide to thoroughly identify all forms of domestic or family violence. I perform domestic violence evaluations in immigration cases, and I also prepare extreme hardship evaluations in immigration cases.

I've worked extensively with survivors of intimate partner violence as a community based advocate, including working with individuals and educating community partners on violence within relationships. I recognize the impact of ALL forms of abuse, including psychological and emotional abuse, and know that healing from these relationships (whether from an intimate partner, parents, siblings, or friends), can take many years and specialized therapeutic approaches.

Survivors of intimate partner violence often experience deep, relational trauma. This can lead to significant anxiety and self doubt, making it hard to trust yourself and your gut/instincts. When this happens, attempts to protect ourselves can sometimes make us more vulnerable. I can help you understand your experiences, your responses, and learn to trust yourself again.

I have about a decade's experience in working with folks experiencing DV or partner violence. Beginning with my internship during my Master-level work, my experience in this area has ranged widely by gender and has been primarily community-based work. My understanding of DV is led by an anti-oppression lens and has deeply influenced the way I practice today.

Many survivors find that, as time goes on, the impacts of specific traumatic events begin to affect them differently. As challenging as it may feel to share your story, it is so important to find a safe place to process and cope with trauma and abuse you have survived. I am able to provide a safe place for all survivors to process, share and navigate their story. Together we will work on rebuilding your sense of self and increasing your quality of life.

Throughout my education, I have focused on domestic violence and it's impact. I have dedicated a majority of my education researching and understanding the complexities of intimate partner abuse and its effects, as well as how to help victims become survivors. In order to help victims of abuse, it is important that we create a safe and nonjudgmental environment for them so they can feel comfortable in opening up about their situation.