Being in an abusive or toxic relationship can leave deep and lasting wounds. These wounds may show up in how we relate to others, how we see ourselves, and how safe we feel in the world. Abuse doesn’t have to be physical to be harmful — emotional manipulation, coercion, control, and chronic invalidation can all leave a painful legacy.
You might be navigating:
- Ongoing anxiety or hypervigilance
- A loss of trust — in others, and in yourself
- Shame, confusion, or self-blame
- Grief for the person who hurt you, and for the future you hoped for
- Difficulty setting boundaries or feeling safe in intimacy
- A harsh inner critic shaped by harmful messages about your worth
These experiences are valid. And you don’t have to face them alone.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers a space to gently unpick the legacy of abuse — to name what happened, explore its impact, and begin to reclaim your voice and autonomy.
Together, we might explore:
- The trauma and emotional residue left by the relationship
- The internalised beliefs about your value and identity
- Patterns of mistrust, especially if your ex-partner’s gender feels triggering
- The grief you may carry — for the person you loved, and the dreams you held
- Reconnecting with your boundaries, your body, and your sense of self
Healing is not linear, and it doesn’t require you to “get over it” or “move on.” It asks only that you show up — with curiosity, courage, and care.
My Approach
I work from a feminist, non-pathologising perspective. That means I don’t see you as broken or disordered — I see you as someone who has survived, adapted, and coped in the best way you could.
My practice is:
- Trauma-informed: attuned to safety, pacing, and choice
- Relational: grounded in warmth, trust, and collaboration
- Somatic and integrative: blending talking therapy with body-based awareness
- Inclusive: especially welcoming to LGBTQIA+ clients and those navigating marginalisation
Where I Work
You’re welcome to see me at the Queer Therapy Hub in Brighton one afternoon a week, or in my peaceful, quiet rooms at the Quaker Meeting House in Lewes.
If you’re curious about working together, or have questions about whether therapy might be right for you, please feel free to get in touch.
a space to reflect 