Domestic Abuse Counselling in Nottingham
If you’re experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse, you don’t have to face it alone. I offer specialist counselling in Nottingham to support those affected by emotional, psychological, and coercive forms of abuse.
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Understanding the Impact of Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse affects far more than just physical safety – it often leaves deep emotional and psychological wounds that can be harder to see, but just as difficult to live with. Abuse may take many forms, including verbal aggression, threats, humiliation, control, and manipulation. The effects can include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, isolation, confusion, and a persistent sense of fear or shame. These patterns can also create lasting impacts on how you view yourself and your relationships.
Through domestic abuse counselling in Nottingham, you can begin to process what has happened in a safe, confidential space. Therapy allows you to name your experience, regain clarity, and slowly re-establish your sense of identity. Whether you’re still in a difficult situation or recovering from past trauma, support is available to help you feel heard, believed, and empowered to move forward at your own pace. HM Counselling is here to help.
Narcissistic Abuse and Coercive Control
Narcissistic abuse can be subtle and insidious. It often involves emotional manipulation, gaslighting, blame-shifting, and a long-term erosion of your self-worth. This kind of abuse may leave you feeling like you're always at fault, confused about what’s real, and unable to express your needs or feelings without fear of backlash. It’s often difficult to recognise while it's happening, which can make recovery feel even more complex.
Coercive control is another form of psychological abuse where one person uses tactics such as monitoring, isolation, intimidation, and threats to dominate and control another. You may feel trapped, silenced, or stripped of your autonomy. These forms of abuse can exist in any kind of relationship - not just romantic ones. Through counselling, you can explore these dynamics safely and begin to reconnect with your inner voice, understand what you’ve experienced, and start to rebuild your emotional independence and trust in yourself.
How Counselling Can Help You Heal
Domestic abuse can leave you feeling powerless, disconnected, and unsure of who you are. Counselling offers a way to begin making sense of your experience, to understand the impact it’s had, and to slowly rebuild a sense of safety and self-trust. It’s not about quick fixes – it’s about giving you the space to be heard, validated, and supported in your own unique process of healing.
Therapy can also help you explore boundaries, self-worth, and healthier patterns of relating to others. It’s a place where you can express anger, grief, confusion, or fear without judgement. Together, we can begin to untangle the emotional threads left behind by coercive or narcissistic dynamics. You’ll be met with care, compassion, and professional insight as you move forward – not just away from the past, but toward a more grounded and empowered future.
Why Choose Me for Abuse Counselling
At HM Counselling in Nottingham, I offer a supportive and confidential space for anyone affected by domestic abuse, including those navigating the aftermath of narcissistic abuse or coercive control. My approach is grounded in empathy, safety, and respect, allowing you to explore your experiences without pressure or judgement. You set the pace — and every session is led by your needs, goals, and readiness to explore. I have extensive experience working with trauma, identity, and relational issues. Whether you prefer face-to-face sessions in Nottingham, or the flexibility of online or telephone counselling, I provide a consistent, compassionate space to begin your healing journey. As a UKCP-registered psychotherapist and member of the BACP, I adhere to strict professional standards of care and confidentiality. If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, I offer an initial reduced-fee consultation to help you decide in your own time.
Personalised Support
Tailored counselling sessions focused entirely on your unique postnatal experience.
Trusted Counsellor
Experienced, fully qualified, and based right here in Nottingham.
Safe, Confidential Space
Judgement-free environment where you can talk openly and honestly.
Flexible Session Options
Daytime, evening, and online appointments to suit your schedule.
Reach Out When You're Ready
Taking that first step into counselling can feel daunting – especially after experiencing abuse or control. But you don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re just starting to recognise the effects of abuse or you’ve been in recovery for some time, support is available. I understand how important it is to feel safe and in control of your own healing process.
You’re welcome to get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, talk about what’s been going on for you, and decide whether my approach feels right. Sessions are available in Nottingham or remotely via online or telephone counselling. Everything shared is held in strict confidence. If you’re ready – or even just curious – I’m here to listen, and to support you without judgement. Contact me when you’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Postnatal depression can look and feel different for everyone. You might feel persistently low, anxious, tearful, or emotionally distant from your baby. Some people describe a sense of numbness, guilt, or failure—even when everything on the outside looks “fine.” Others feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks or struggle to sleep, even when the baby is resting. You might notice changes in appetite, energy levels, or motivation. If you’ve had your baby recently (or even within the past year or two) and these feelings have been lasting for more than a couple of weeks, it’s worth seeking support. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to begin counselling—if something doesn’t feel right, that’s enough. I’ll listen without judgement and help you explore what you’re experiencing in a safe, supportive space. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Feeling guilt is incredibly common for people experiencing postnatal depression—and it’s often one of the things that keeps people silent. You might feel like you “should” be coping better, or that talking about your struggles means you’re not a good parent. But I want you to know this: feeling overwhelmed, low, or disconnected does not make you a bad parent. You’re human, and becoming a parent is a massive emotional shift. In counselling, I offer a gentle, non-judgemental space where you can say the things you’ve been holding in—whether that’s guilt, anger, sadness, or complete emotional exhaustion. There’s no expectation for you to have the right words or to explain things perfectly. Just showing up and allowing yourself to be supported is enough. You deserve to be cared for too.
Absolutely. Postnatal depression can affect you whether it’s your first child or your fourth. In fact, many parents experience postnatal depression after later births, especially when there are added pressures like caring for other children, work commitments, or a lack of support. It can also be influenced by past experiences, such as a difficult birth, previous mental health struggles, or even unresolved emotions from earlier parenthood. Just because you’ve been through it before doesn’t mean you’re expected to “know what you’re doing” or cope without help. Every parenting journey is different, and each stage can bring its own emotional challenges. If you’re feeling low, anxious, or like you’ve lost touch with who you are, counselling can be a valuable space to reconnect with yourself and make sense of everything you’re feeling. You deserve support—no matter how many times you’ve done this before.
I completely understand how hard it can be to find time for yourself when you have a baby or young children at home. That’s why I offer flexible session times, including evenings and online counselling, so you can fit therapy into your life more easily. Some clients speak to me during nap times or after bedtime routines. Others choose online sessions so they can stay at home and still receive support without needing to arrange childcare or travel. There’s no “perfect” way to start counselling—what matters is that you’re doing something for yourself, even if it’s just an hour a week. We’ll work together to find a format that feels manageable for you. Taking that time to focus on your own wellbeing isn’t selfish—it’s essential. When you feel supported, everything becomes a little easier to carry.