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Domestic abuse can affect your sense of safety, self-worth, and ability to trust yourself and others. It can occur in many forms – emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or coercive control – and it does not always involve visible harm.
At The Cohen Clinic, we offer therapy for individuals impacted by domestic abuse in Toronto. Our goal is to provide a confidential, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can make sense of your experiences, rebuild a sense of safety, and move forward at your own pace.
Domestic abuse refers to patterns of behaviour used to gain power and control within an intimate or family relationship. It can occur between current or former partners, spouses, family members, friends or people who share a household.
Abuse does not always look the same, and many individuals question whether their experiences “count.” If you feel afraid, controlled, diminished, or unsafe in a relationship – emotionally or physically – your experience matters.
This form of abuse targets a person’s sense of self and emotional safety.
It may include:
Over time, emotional abuse can lead to confusion, self-doubt, anxiety, depression and loss of confidence.
Coercive control involves ongoing patterns of domination that restrict autonomy and independence.
This may look like:
Coercive control can exist even without physical violence and often escalates gradually.
Physical abuse includes any use of force intended to cause harm or fear.
This may involve:
Even one incident of physical violence is serious and deserves support.
Sexual abuse can occur within relationships and marriages and is often misunderstood or minimized.
This may include:
Sexual abuse can deeply affect trust, bodily autonomy, and emotional well-being.
Financial abuse limits access to resources and independence.
Examples include:
This form of abuse can make leaving or seeking help feel impossible.
Domestic abuse does not have a single cause. It often develops through a combination of relational dynamics, personal history, and broader social factors.
Abuse is rooted in unequal power. One person uses fear, manipulation, or dominance to maintain control rather than engaging in mutual respect and accountability.
Some individuals who experience abuse have histories of trauma or grew up in environments where control, violence, or emotional neglect were normalized. This does not mean abuse is caused by the survivor – responsibility always lies with the person who chooses to harm.
Cultural expectations, stigma, fear of not being believed, immigration concerns, financial dependence, or concern for children can all make it harder to recognize abuse or leave unsafe situations.
Living with abuse can impact nearly every area of life, even long after the relationship ends.
You may experience anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, shame, guilt, or numbness. Many people struggle with self-blame or difficulty trusting their own perceptions.
Abuse can affect future relationships, leading to fear of closeness, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling undeserving of care and respect.
Over time, abuse can erode confidence and sense of self. You may feel disconnected from who you were before or unsure of who you are now.
Healing from domestic abuse is not about “getting over it.” It is about restoring safety, agency, and self-trust.
Therapy offers a place where your experiences are taken seriously and explored without judgment. A therapist can help you:
Therapy can support you in:
For many survivors, abuse leaves lasting trauma responses. Therapy can gently address:
The focus is on stability and safety – not pressure.
Abuse often damages trust in oneself. Therapy can help you:
At The Cohen Clinic, we work with individuals affected by domestic abuse using trauma-informed, client-centred care. Our therapists:
Our aim is to support you in:
You do not need to have all the answers to begin.
Ph.D. (Psychologist, Supervised Practice)
If you are living with the effects of domestic abuse – past or present – reaching out for support is a meaningful step.
At The Cohen Clinic, we offer therapy for individuals affected by domestic abuse in Toronto, tailored to your experiences, needs, and goals.
Book an Appointment today to begin your therapy journey.
