Abuse

Abuse can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effects, even after the  harmful behavior has ended. If you have experienced emotional abuse, physical violence,  sexual abuse, financial control, or another form of mistreatment, healing is possible with  the right support.  

The team at Sagent Behavioral Health provides compassionate, trauma-informed care to  help survivors process their experiences, rebuild confidence, and move forward at their  own pace.  

What Is Abuse? 

Abuse is any pattern of behavior used to control, intimidate, manipulate, or harm another  person. While abuse is often associated with physical violence, many forms of abuse can  cause harm in lasting and damaging ways.  

Abuse can occur in many types of relationships, including:  

• Romantic relationships 
• Families 
• Friendships  
• Caregiver relationships 
• Workplaces  
• Other social or professional settings 

It is important to remember that no matter what form abuse takes, it is never your fault. 

Types of Abuse 

Emotional or Psychological Abuse 

Emotional abuse involves ongoing behaviors intended to manipulate, control, or diminish  another person’s reality or sense of self-worth. 

Examples may include: 

• Constant criticism or insults 
• Manipulation or gaslighting 
• Chronic lying or deception 
• Humiliation or intimidation 
• Isolation from family and friends
• Threats towards you, loved ones, or pets  
• Controlling behaviors  

Physical Abuse 

Physical abuse involves intentionally causing bodily harm or threatening physical violence. 

Situations may include:  

• Hitting, slapping, kicking or punching 
• Shoving or restraining someone 
• Choking or strangulation 
• Throwing objects 
• Using physical force to intimidate 

Sexual Abuse 

Sexual abuse includes any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. 

Examples may include:  

• Sexual assault 
• Coercion or pressure into sexual activity 
• Sharing intimate images without consent 
• Sexual exploitation 

Financial Abuse 

Financial abuse occurs when someone uses money or financial resources to control  another person.  

This may include:  

• Restricting access to money  
• Taking control of bank accounts 
• Preventing someone from working 
• Stealing money or identity 
• Creating debt in another person’s name

What Abuse Can Feel Like Day to Day 

The effects of abuse don’t always end when the situation does. Survivors often continue to  experience emotional and physical symptoms that can affect daily life and overall well being.  

You may find yourself thinking:  

• “I constantly question myself or my decisions.” 
• “I feel anxious or on edge, even when I am safe.” 
• “I have trouble trusting other people.” 
• “I feel angry or irritable when nothing is outwardly wrong.” 
• “I blame myself for what happened.” 
• “I avoid situations or relationships because I’m afraid of being hurt again.”
• “I feel emotionally numb.” 

Many survivors struggle with these feelings, and therapy can provide a safe space to begin  their healing journeys.  

Approaching Abuse Recovery With Sagent 

Rather than just working on moving past the abusive experience, abuse recovery focuses  on fostering a safe environment where you can process what happened, develop healthy  coping strategies, and begin rebuilding your sense of safety and self.  

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:  

Individual Therapy 

Working one-on-one with a therapist can help process difficult experiences while  understanding the impact of the trauma. Together, you work on building skills to support  healing.  

Trauma-Informed Therapy 

Trauma can affect the mind and body in significant ways. Our clinicians trained in trauma informed care foster an environment built around safety, trust and empowerment.  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

CBT can help identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that may have developed  after experiencing abuse while building healthier coping strategies for the future.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

For some individuals, EMDR may be recommended to help process traumatic memories. Using guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, EMDR can help reduce the  emotional intensity of difficult experiences, so they become less distressing over time. 

Psychiatry & Medication Management 

Medication may be recommended as part of a personalized treatment plan if symptoms  such as anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, or PTSD are affecting your daily life. 

If You’re Currently Experiencing Abuse 

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services. 

If you’re experiencing abuse but aren’t in immediate danger, help is available. Reaching out  can feel difficult, but you deserve support, safety, and the opportunity to heal. 

Helpful resources include: 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 (or text START to 88788)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 422-4453