Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. The majority of cases, the perpetrator is a partner or ex-partner but also can be by a family member of carer.

I am a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and bring this knowledge and experience into our sessions to help you recover from an abusive relationship and offer this as a specialist area of counselling.

If you are reading this and you are currently in an abusive relationship and looking for specialist domestic violence advice, here are a few services based in East Sussex. If you are ever in immediate danger call the police on 999 - here is information on
how to make a silent 999 call to the Police.

Change Grow Live (CGL) provide domestic abuse support to anyone aged 16+ living in East Sussex 03003 239 985 (office hours) 08082 000 247 (out of hours)

 

Lotus Families – a women’s charity supporting those who have ended an abusive relationship and offer a programme, peer support mentoring programme and a programme offering support to parents/carers experiencing violence from their children.

 

Survivors Network – provide the specialist rape and sexual violence abuse service for Sussex you can contact then via their website or call 01273 203 380 

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Young people

We are currently experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis among young people aged 8-15 years old. With 1 in 5 young people reporting a probable mental health problem. * (mental health of children and young people in England 2023 report)

Young people are experiencing anxiety, self-harm and loneliness and with services such as CAMHS being under resourced and in high demand, mean that a lot of young people go without access to timely and appropriate support.

If you are looking for additional support and resources for your child/ young person here are a few I would recommend.

Young Minds – provide support to young people, parents and professionals and have a wealth of online resources and articles

Winstons Wish - Winston’s Wish offers free, accessible online grief support to children and young people (aged 25 or under).

For more links to other support services in East Sussex click here.

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Trauma

Trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical impact of experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. These experiences may involve actual or perceived threat, harm, or loss, and can disrupt a person’s sense of safety, control, and meaning. Trauma is subjective—what is traumatic for one person may not be for another—and its effects can be long-lasting, influencing emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and relationships.

I am a trauma informed practitioner which means I understand how trauma can affect the brain, body, emotions and behaviour and work in a way that focuses on your safety, trust, choice and control in our sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about trauma then exploring work by Dr Bessel van der Kolk, a leading expert on how trauma reshapes the brain and author of ‘The body keeps the score’ is a great starting point.

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Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry that is experienced as part of our emotional response to a situation, this can be a combination of physical sensations, thoughts and feelings. Everyone will have experienced anguish at some point in their lives, whether this is an exam, a driving test, theme park ride, job interview but we would expect those feelings to subside once that event or moment has ended.

Anxiety can become a problem when those feelings don’t pass, and people may experience constant anguish and feel overwhelmed and worried. It can start to interfere with your daily routine and tasks and start to impact your enjoyment of activities, that previously you may have found enjoyable. This can lead to withdrawal and limiting what you feel you can do.

Within my approach I like to focus on developing a wholistic approach to managing anxiety. This includes developing skills and techniques that you can use at any time, so you have a toolbox of things accessible to you anywhere.

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Useful links

Mental Health and Wellbeing | East Sussex 1Space – East Sussex 1Space is East Sussex County Council's online directory. It brings together groups and organisations that offer care, support and wellbeing services to people in East Sussex.

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Change Grow Live (CGL) provide domestic abuse support to anyone aged 16+ living in East Sussex 03003 239 985 (office hours) 08082 000 247 (out of hours)

Lotus Families – a women’s charity supporting those who have ended an abusive relationship and offer a programme, peer support mentoring programme and a programme offering support to parents/carers experiencing violence from their children.

 

Survivors Network – provide the specialist rape and sexual violence abuse service for Sussex you can contact then via their website or call 01273 203 380

ManKind Initiative - Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse– ManKind Inniative provide an information and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband.

Mankind Support Group - Mental Health Help for Men – based in Eastbourne and offer an informal support group for me to meet, talk and seek the help they need in a safe and friendly environment.

East Sussex Community Peer Support Groups - MindOut LGBTQ Mental Health - MindOut is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service based in East Sussex

Young Minds – provide support to young people, parents and professionals and have a wealth of online resources and articles

Winstons Wish - Winston’s Wish offers free, accessible online grief support to children and young people (aged 25 or under).

Home - Cruse Bereavement Support – Offering bereavement support, information and campaigning.