The Power of Therapy Groups for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Surviving intimate partner violence (IPV) is a traumatic experience that can leave its victims isolated and confused. Fortunately, there are many ways to heal from IPV, and one of the most potent methods is joining group therapy. In a therapy group, survivors can share stories in a safe space, connect with other survivors who understand their experiences and create meaningful bonds that often last long after the group has ended. We’ll also discuss why our trans-inclusive group for female survivors of IPV can be a healing experience.
The Healing Power of Connection
When you’re trapped in an abusive relationship, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else understanding what you’re going through. But when you attend group therapy made up of women who have experienced IPV, it’s easier to realize that you aren’t alone in your struggles. This shared understanding creates an environment where members feel comfortable enough to open up about their journeys without fear of judgment or shame.
Regain Your Sense of Self
Gaslighting—the manipulative technique abusers use to make their victims question their memories and sanity—can cause survivors to doubt themselves long after they escape the abuse they endured. That's why it's so important for survivors to hear from others with similar experiences; hearing your story echoed by someone else can be incredibly validating and freeing. This validation helps solidify that you know yourself and can learn to trust your gut instincts. In addition, connecting with other survivors allows trust between members, which often facilitates deeper healing conversations than those had with therapists or family members who weren't present during the abuse.
The Benefits Of Therapy Without The High Cost
Therapy can be expensive, and not everyone has access to health insurance or can afford co-pays associated with traditional therapy sessions. However, therapy groups offer low-cost options for those seeking healing from IPV without breaking the bank. In addition, participating in a group provides invaluable insight into how each person’s unique experience with trauma impacts them differently and how different coping strategies work for different people. It also provides opportunities for women to learn how others identify their needs and set boundaries when dealing with potentially triggering situations or people—essential skills to establish healthy relationships moving forward.
Learn How Others Identify Needs & Set Boundaries
It can be challenging for survivors of IPV to identify where they should draw boundaries when interacting with other people because they often lack trust due to past traumas. However, through participating in a supportive setting, IPV survivors can observe how fellow members self-identify their needs and set boundaries within relationships. This experience provides them with tangible examples of how healthy relationships work, which can help them build assertiveness skills for themselves. Additionally, hearing stories about how other members navigated their healing journey provides real life examples of how individuals could cope with various obstacles during their recovery process.
Why join the Empowerment and Hope After Intimate Partner Violence group?
The Empowerment and Hope After Intimate Partner Violence Group is an online therapy group held weekly for California residents. The group is for women (trans and non-binary-inclusive) to process past or current abuse and learn more about how some end up in unhealthy relationships, rights, resources, community, and empowerment.
Marjorie Boggs Vazquez, AMFT, facilitates the group. Marjorie joins Rouse after ten years of working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault at San Francisco Women Against Rape. As a survivor herself, Marjorie brings in a wealth of tools, knowledge, lived experience, and training to create a productive and healing group environment for the members.
“My goal is to empower my clients to become more self-aware of their feelings and needs and to better understand and process their unique experiences in a collaborative, self-affirming environment. My hope is that our work together will pave the way for becoming your most genuine self.”
Therapy groups provide survivors of intimate partner violence with critical tools they need as they navigate life post-abuse while also providing them with much needed validation and connection at a lower cost. If you are looking for an accessible way to join forces with other survivors on the path toward healing, we highly recommend trying our group!
Please reach out if you would like more information or would like to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about joining our weekly therapy group meetings! In addition, our staff would be happy to speak more about our online virtual therapy group options.