Mental health and healing
What you experienced wasn't normal, and what you're feeling is a normal response to it. Healing isn't linear, and there's no timeline to measure yourself against.
What to know first
- Trauma from abusive relationships can show up as PTSD, anxiety, depression, trouble trusting, or physical symptoms. All of it is real, and all of it is treatable.
- Trauma-informed therapy is different from regular therapy. The therapist understands trauma and moves at your pace. You won't be pushed.
- You don't have to be in crisis to get support. Therapy, peer groups, and community programs are there at any stage, including long after you've left.
- Victim Services in every province offer free, confidential counselling for survivors. You qualify as a victim of a crime.
- Peer support, talking with other women who've been through it, can be as powerful as formal therapy. You're not alone in this.
- Your kids may be carrying weight from what happened too. Child-specific trauma therapy is available, often free through victim services.