Domestic Violence
Serving Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London, and the surrounding areas, Anchoridge Counselling wants to help find ways to understand and work with individuals experiencing Domestic Violence.

Experiencing domestic violence—whether emotional, physical, sexual, financial, or psychological—can leave deep and lasting wounds. At Anchoridge Counselling Services, we offer a safe, confidential space where survivors can begin to heal, rebuild trust, and regain a sense of control over their lives.
You are not alone. You are not to blame. Help is available.
Understanding Domestic Violence
Domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence or IPV) is any pattern of behaviour in a relationship used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner. It can involve:
1. Emotional or verbal abuse (insults, gaslighting, threats)
2. Physical violence (hitting, pushing, restraining)
3. Sexual coercion or assault
4. Financial control (restricting access to money or resources)
5. Social isolation (cutting you off from friends or family)
Domestic violence can happen to anyone—regardless of gender, age, culture, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
How Can Counselling Help?
Healing from abuse is not easy, but therapy can be an empowering first step. Our trained clinicians offer trauma-informed, non-judgmental support to help you:
1. Process your experience in a safe and validating environment
2. Rebuild self-esteem and sense of identity
3. Manage symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, flashbacks, or hypervigilance
4. Establish boundaries and recognize healthy vs. unhealthy relationships
5. Develop a safety plan if you are currently in a dangerous situation
6. Navigate difficult decisions about separation, custody, or legal steps
7. Reclaim your voice and autonomy in your healing journey
Our Therapeutic Approach
We use compassionate, evidence-based methods tailored to survivors of trauma, including:
1. Trauma-Informed Therapy
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
4. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
5. Narrative Therapy
Safety Planning and Psychoeducation
Your Safety Comes First
If you are currently in an unsafe situation, we can help you create a safety plan and connect you with appropriate crisis supports and community resources.
📞 If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local crisis line.
We Support All Survivors and provide counselling for:
1. Adults of all genders and identities
2. LGBTQ2S+ survivors
3. Individuals navigating post-separation abuse
4. Survivors of childhood domestic violence or intergenerational trauma
5. Family members or friends affected by a loved one’s experience of abuse
We honour your courage in reaching out and walk with you at your pace, without pressure or judgment. Take the First Step Toward Healing. You deserve to feel safe, supported, and heard. Whether you’re still in the relationship, have recently left, or are carrying the impact of past abuse, healing is possible—and we’re here to support you.