Breaking Free: Healing from Abuse Through Therapy
Abuse is a topic that feels massive in scope and often difficult to fully comprehend. Sometimes, we struggle to identify abuse because it doesn’t always present in the obvious ways we expect or are taught to recognize. Abuse can be subtle, insidious, and deeply impactful, manifesting in ways that leave long-lasting scars.
Abuse can occur in many forms and come from anyone in your life—family members, partners, friends, or others you trust. My personal journey with abuse involved mental and emotional mistreatment from family, an ex-partner, and old friends.
My Personal Experience with Abuse
For me, abuse took the form of constant name-calling, manipulation, being put down, left in constant unknown, controlling behaviours, having my emotions toyed with and more. The relentless undermining and emotional games left me in a state of confusion, self-doubt, and fear. I experienced panic attacks, withdrew from the world, and closed myself off emotionally. I became a chronic people-pleaser, terrified of how others might react if I upset them. These patterns shaped my life and held me back for years, creating walls I didn’t know how to break down. Then I discovered EMDR and hypnotherapy.
How EMDR Changed My Life
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) became a lifeline for me. Through this therapeutic technique, I was able to:
• Reprocess Traumatic Memories: Memories that once felt overwhelming became manageable. EMDR helped me revisit those moments in a safe and structured way.
• Reduce Emotional Triggers: The things that used to send me spiraling—certain words, tones, or situations—lost their power over me.
• Feel Lighter and Free: By resolving old traumas, I found myself carrying less emotional baggage every day.
How Hypnotherapy Helped Me Rewrite My Story
Hypnotherapy complemented my EMDR work in ways I never expected. By accessing my subconscious, I began to understand the deeper beliefs I had internalized because of the abuse. Hypnotherapy helped me:
• Identify and Change Negative Beliefs: For years, I believed I was unworthy, unlovable, and weak. Through hypnotherapy, I started to replace these toxic narratives with ones of empowerment and self-worth.
• Build Emotional Resilience: The calming and restorative nature of hypnotherapy gave me tools to face life with renewed strength.
• Reconnect with Myself: For so long, I felt disconnected from who I was and was someone I didn't recognise. Hypnotherapy helped me rediscover and embrace my authentic self.
The Healing Journey
Healing from abuse isn’t a linear process, but with the right tools and support, it’s absolutely possible. No two journeys look the same. EMDR and hypnotherapy gave me the freedom to step out of the shadow of my past and reclaim my life back