Safety · Trauma · Healing
Intimate Partner Violence Psychotherapy
Individual psychotherapy for people who have experienced physical, sexual, emotional, financial or psychological abuse by a current or former partner.
Intimate partner violence can affect safety, health, relationships and sense of self long after a specific incident. Therapy offers a confidential, non-judgmental space to address trauma responses, make sense of mixed feelings and rebuild a life that feels safer and more your own.
In person at our Riverside office in Ottawa, and virtually across Ontario.
Who this supports
- Adults who have experienced abuse in a current or past intimate relationship
- People still in the relationship who want confidential support
- People supporting their children through the aftermath of IPV
- People of all genders, orientations and backgrounds
Concerns addressed
What people often bring to this work
- Trauma responses such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, anxiety and sleep difficulties
- Mixed feelings, trauma bonds and difficulty leaving or staying away
- Minimizing what happened or blaming yourself
- Emotional, financial, sexual or physical abuse by a partner or ex-partner
- Fear and stress related to court, police or child protection involvement
- Rebuilding confidence, relationships and identity
What psychotherapy may involve
A paced, trauma-informed approach
-
Safety and stabilization
Prioritizing safety and connecting you with resources, including HELP NOW, when needed.
-
Understanding trauma responses
Making sense of how your mind and body have responded to danger.
-
Processing at your pace
Trauma-informed work with memories, grief and shame, without pressure to disclose before you are ready.
-
Reconnecting
Rebuilding self-trust, boundaries and supportive relationships.
Important limits
What this service is not
- Legal advice or representation — please speak with a family lawyer about legal questions
- A custody or parenting assessment, or a recommendation about parenting time
- A forensic opinion, court report or finding about another person
- A crisis or emergency service
Therapy describes behaviours and experiences you bring to session. It does not diagnose or make findings about another person.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report the abuse to attend therapy?
No. You decide what to share and whether to report. Limits of confidentiality, including legal duties to report a child at risk, are explained before therapy begins.
What if I am not ready to leave?
Therapy supports you where you are. We focus on safety and your choices, without pressure.
Is this the same as screening?
No. Screening consultations are a separate service within our IPV and Coercive Control Consultancy.
Related services
Related support at the clinic
Coercive Control Psychotherapy
Therapy focused on patterns of control in relationships.
Post Separation Abuse Psychotherapy
Support when abuse continues after separation.
Parental Alienation Psychotherapy
Support for parents facing contact difficulties with their children.
Related articles
Further reading
- Emotional Abuse Without Bruises: Why It Is Still Abuse
- Why is it hard to leave a narcissistic relationship?
- Trauma Bonds: Why You Can Miss Someone Who Hurt You
- “It Wasn’t That Bad” – Why Survivors Minimize Abuse
- What Happens in an IPV and Coercive Control Screening Appointment?
- Hypervigilance After Abuse – Why Survivors Stay On Guard
How to book
Begin with a consultation
You can book a free 15-minute consultation online or contact the clinic to ask questions first. Please use an email address and phone number that only you can access, and let us know the safest way to reach you.
Riverside Office by Billings Bridge · 2211 Riverside Drive, Suite 107, Ottawa, ON K1H 7X5 · Virtual sessions available across Ontario.
If you are in danger
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The clinic is not a crisis service. For crisis lines, shelters, legal resources and victim services, visit HELP NOW.