Individuals who are experiencing abuse often struggle to seek help. Abuse is a very sensitive topic and it can be difficult when your relationship involves emotional abuse. While emotional abuse does not leave physical wounds, it can affect your daily function and the development of children. Just because others can not see the effect of emotional abuse does not mean that you don’t deserve to get help.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Text: START to 88788

Can therapy help with emotional abuse? Does healing really happen when working with a therapist? The answer to these questions is more complex than just a simple yes or no, but there are ways that therapy and self-care can help in the healing process. Below is a breakdown of some therapy approaches to help with emotional abuse. 

Signs Of Emotional Abuse

• Using emotional blackmail
• Acting superior or making you feel inferior
• Invading your privacy
• Controlling who you spend time with
• Dismiss you feelings
• Constant sarcasm and offensive jokes
• Setting unrealistic expectations

Individual Therapy

Speaking one on one with a therapist or psychologist may be a more comfortable option for those who have experienced abuse. Depending on your situation, therapists can listen and help provide resources to keep you safe. Therapists can help the patient gain back their self-confidence, while also helping them learn healthy boundaries and approach the topic of leaving an abuser. 

Other specific methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR), Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have all shown results when it comes to dealing with the effects of abuse. These practices help change irrational thoughts, help unblock traumatic memories, and give you emotional tools to help begin healing. Therapy will be uncomfortable and stressful at times, but these processes will help you feel more in control of your life. 

Collective Or Couple Therapy

Group therapy or couples therapy is another option for those dealing with emotional abuse. Couples therapy only happens when the victim can convince the abuser to take part in therapy. Unhealthy relationships can be hard to recognize, so couples therapy may not work for everyone. 

Collective therapy or group therapy can help those who have never experienced therapy before. This will give the patients insight from others who are in similar situations. This can be a great option for emotional abuse victims to see that they are not alone. Having unhealthy attachments to people can lead to a lower quality of life, so attending group therapy can help you build better relationships and avoid humiliation. 

Therapy For Children Who Have Suffered Emotional Abuse

Therapy for children often looks very different than therapy for adults. Children are smart, but may not have all the words to describe their emotions or what they have experienced. Children of emotional abuse often benefit from art therapy, sand tray therapy, and more. 

Children can also benefit from therapy because of its non-judgmental nature. Sharing feelings around abuse or loved ones who are abusive can be difficult. The confidentiality of a therapist and the absence of guilt can be helpful for people of all ages. 

When children who are abused do not receive therapy or do not process their trauma, they can go on to be abusers themselves. Mental health concerns can also arise in abused children who have suppressed instances of abuse. 

Can Therapy Help Abusers?

Therapy can help those with abusive behaviors replace those tendencies with more healthy options. It may take a while to accept the help of a therapist, but therapy can help people set better boundaries, have healthy arguments or disagreements, and share power in relationships. 

Abusers will need to avoid blaming and excuses if they want therapy to work for them. Therapists can help abusers work out disagreements without abusive language or insults. 

Therapy With Ogden Psychological Services

Our team at Ogden Psychological Services looks forward to working with clients in our community. No matter what experiences you have had, we can provide therapy practices that will work for you. We believe that every patient can grow in respect and dignity, and correct healthy habits.
Our therapists can help patients of all ages deal with trauma, relationship issues, and more. Fill out our contact form to schedule your first appointment today.

The mental health stigma makes it hard to talk about mental issues or distinguish between fact and fiction when it comes to mental health diagnoses. In this blog, we will break down some common myths and share some mental health facts to help you better support loved ones or understand your own mental health. 

Fact: Mental Health Problems Are Very Common

The first thing to address is that mental illness is very common worldwide. One in five American adults experience a mental health issue. One in six young people experience a major depressive episode. Suicide is also the leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. 

Taking care of your mental health can help limit the symptoms and debilitating moments that you experience. Taking breaks, seeking therapy, and getting on medication are helpful when it is best for you. Doing self-care practices can help you avoid burnout or depressive episodes. 

Myth: Children Don’t Experience Mental Health Problems

Because of this myth, only about half of children or adolescents with mental health problems receive the treatment that they need. Children can show signs of mental illness at an early age, in fact, half of mental health disorders show the first signs before 14 years old. Early intervention can help limit developmental problems that children and adolescents can experience due to mental illness. 

Fact: Those With Mental Health Diagnoses Are Productive Workers

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, and other illnesses often do not prevent people from succeeding at their jobs. It may be hard for those with mental illness to work in a high-stress environment, but employers have reported those that they hire have high productivity, high punctuality, and great job tenure. Knowing mental health facts is important for employers because this will help them hire skilled workers despite what mental illness they may experience.

Myth: Therapy And Self-Help Are A Waste Of Time

Just because you can take a pill to help improve your mental health symptoms, therapy, and self-help can help you learn coping skills, calming techniques, and recovery techniques. Those who receive counseling see improvements in their quality of life and avoid hearing damaging myths about mental health. 

Fact: Friends And Family Can Help Support Those With Mental Illness

While your friends and family are not licensed to give you a diagnosis or prescribe medications, they can offer emotional support for those who struggle. Friends and family can help distract you, talk you down from a stressful situation, and help you avoid toxic choices. 

Myth: Mental Health Diagnoses Are Signs Of Weakness

Mental health struggles do not make you less than or weaker than other people. This is part of the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially for men who show more emotion. Mental health facts may even state that those who struggle with mental illness on top of other life trials are stronger.

Talking about your emotions, working through your struggles, or experiencing anxiety does not make you weak. Those with mental health issues are not weaker than others as they still have to accomplish daily tasks while dealing with extreme depression or trauma. 

Fact: Mental Health Can Affect Everyone, Even Those Who Seem To Have It All

Mental health can affect any type of person. It can affect people of all ages, those who are successful, those who are in poverty, those of any sexual orientation, any occupation, etc. Dealing with a mental health diagnosis is difficult no matter who you are, but even if you seem to have your life together on the outside, you can be lonely, depressed, or suicidal on the inside. 

Myth: Bad Parenting Is The Cause Of Mental Health Issues In Adolescents Or Children

There are multiple factors that contribute to mental health including socioeconomic status, genetics, violence, and support. ‘Bad parenting’ is not the sole cause of difficulties in adolescents or children. Their living situation and the care they receive can help improve their mental health symptoms or impact the resilience of children. 

Supportive and understanding family members can play a large role in getting children to help when they need it and feeling like they have a support system. Neglectful parenting is not directly linked to developing mental illness but can impact its severity. 

Help For Mental Illnesses With Ogden Psychological Services

Our therapists and counselors want to help patients deal with their mental illness in a healthy way and dispel myths surrounding mental health. Our team wants to hear your specific goals and use treatment methods that are necessary to reach them. We offer different therapy types to best fit your needs or improve your relationships with others. Contact us with any questions and we would be happy to assist you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there is help. Call 988.

Mental health diagnoses such as depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, or other illnesses can lead to increased stress and suicidal thoughts. Many people want to escape their struggles and feelings of sadness and figure the only way to improve their state is to take their own life. Some suicide attempts fail, which can be hard for the patient and family to grapple with. Healing and dealing with suicidal thoughts after an attempt can bring out difficult emotions. 

Emotions That Can Occur After An Attempt

Each suicide attempt patient will experience different emotions and move forward in living differently. No situation is the same, but there are some common emotions that multiple people experience. 

Common symptoms that can occur after an attempt can include:

• Relief that the attempt failed
• Disappointment in still being around
• Shame
• Embarrassment
• Fatigue or emotional fatique
• Overwhelm
• Anger

While many will see a failed suicide attempt as a good thing, the person who attempted may feel disappointed or angry that they didn’t accomplish what they set out to do. Many suicidal people are emotionally drained and some have even sought help for their mental health for many years. These frustrations and coinciding emotions can become heightened after a suicide attempt. 

Different Therapy That Is Available For Survivors

Seeking help after a suicide attempt may seem especially daunting. Opening up about your struggles and dealing with the shame can be difficult when working with a counselor. Suicide attempt survivors can benefit from finding a support group where they can hear from strangers who have experienced the same thing. 

Seeking individual counseling can help break down your emotions, triggers, and what you can do to find joy in life again. Many suicidal people have experienced intense trauma or abuse, which can be digested and worked through with a licensed therapist. Therapy can help teach you coping skills and minimize triggers.

As the stigma around mental health continues to decrease, more therapy techniques and coping methods will also come to light. Developing therapy practices can be helpful for those who have sought counseling in the past and still struggle with suicidal thoughts. Seeking help from a therapist can be beneficial, but it is always a good idea to do some research before starting a new therapy practice. 

Recovering After A Suicide Attempt

Multiple actions need to take place after a suicide attempt. Depending on if the patient is still a danger to themselves, they may be held in the hospital for multiple days. Even after being released from the hospital, creating a safe place and providing help is necessary for the patient.

One thing that can be helpful when combined with therapy, is mindfulness. Mindfulness practices can help you find the positive and help your brain to focus on these moments rather than anxiety or fearful moments. 

Mental health concerns can lead to seeking numbing agents to help block out symptoms of depression. But after a suicide attempt, it is best to avoid drugs and alcohol as these can make your suicidal thoughts worse. Alcohol can cloud your judgment and critical thinking, this is dangerous when you are wanting to take your own life. 

There is no pressure to tell friends and family about your attempt as soon as it happens. If these people are important to your care, then talking to them can help offer you emotional support. You should only talk about your attempt to others when you are ready. 

Creating a suicide safety plan and recognizing what triggers you to have suicidal thoughts will help you avoid a future attempt. Your plan should include resources to help and people who are around to offer support through hard times. If you know what situations or people can make you feel suicidal, this can be helpful for you to limit these symptoms. 

Therapy With Ogden Psychological Service

Ogden Psychological Services wants to help all patients have a better quality of life and avoid suicidal thoughts. Our therapists can help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. Mental health help is not something to be ashamed of and can help you live a long full life. If you are currently having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or 911 immediately. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.