Psychological Abuse Trauma Treatment & Recovery

Psychological, or emotional, abuse is an insidious type of violence that harms someone’s sense of self-esteem, safety, and worth. Whether it occurs in childhood or adulthood, psychological abuse can have huge effects on the social and emotional lives of survivors.

Childhood psychological abuse can result in lifelong mental health challenges, while adult victims can develop PTSD and face new challenges in future relationships.

As harmful as psychological abuse can be, recovery from it is entirely possible. With the right care, people can rebuild their sense of self-esteem and safety in the world. If you would like advice and guidance on how to recover, the team at AMFM is on hand to help.

This page can also help you understand the recovery process from psychological abuse trauma, as it explores:

What psychological abuse is
The impacts of psychological abuse on children, adults, and relationships
Treatment options for healing from emotional abuse
Where to find professional support

What Is Psychological Abuse?

While physical abuse leads to injuries and mental trauma, psychological abuse (also known as emotional abuse) has insidious and long-lasting impacts on the psychological well-being of survivors. Carried out through shaming, humiliating, controlling behavior, name-calling, manipulation, and threats, psychological abuse causes significant harm to both children and adults.^{1, 2}

This section will describe the psychological abuse of children by adults and of adults in intimate relationships.

Childhood Abuse

Children may be psychologically abused by being: ^{2, 3}

Exposed to violence and aggression between those around them
Threatened with violence or deliberately made to feel frightened
Rejected, excluded, silenced, belittled, and not communicated with
Bullied, name-called, and mocked
Manipulated or coerced into taking part in activities that they’re uncomfortable with, aren’t age-appropriate, or are unsafe
Limited in their freedoms unreasonably, such as their social interactions
Pressured under rigid and unrealistic expectations
Never receiving praise, warmth, affection, or nurturing
Only being interacted with when “necessary” (when caregivers are detached or uninvolved)

As may be clear from these descriptions, rather than being a specific event or act, psychological abuse describes a persistent pattern in a relationship between a child and an adult.³ As this relationship is most commonly with a caregiver(s), psychological abuse is likely to be interpreted by a child to mean they are unloved or unwanted.

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes violence between people in a close relationship. As well as physical and sexual violence, IPV may also involve psychological abuse.⁶

Some research finds that, between intimate partners, psychological abuse is more prevalent than physical abuse. There are many complex and subtle ways in which psychological abuse can be perpetrated. However, the behaviors are typically grouped into one of two categories. These are:¹

Expressive abuse: Consists of verbal put-downs and any other actions that are intended to diminish someone’s sense of self-esteem.
Instrumental abuse: Broad attempts to control someone; this could be carried out through threats, jealousy-motivated surveillance, manipulation of the legal system, and economic abuse. This is also known as “coercive control abuse.”

Sometimes it can be hard to be certain that you’re being psychologically abused by an intimate partner, but this can be part of the abuse.⁶ This is because gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that causes someone to question their own instincts, feelings, and sanity. It may sound like:⁷

“You’re imagining things.”
“You’re overly sensitive.”
“That never happened. You’re making stuff up.”
“You’re trying to confuse me.”
“You’re not remembering what happened.”

As gaslighting causes the victim to question their perceptions of events, it allows their abuser to control the narrative and maintain power.⁷

Other signs of psychological abuse in adult relationships includes:⁶

An abuser controlling all the income and budget.
The victim being kept away from their family and friends.
An abuser using verbal put-downs or doing things to make their partner feel guilty and ashamed.
The victim being controlled through threats. The threats may be threats of physical violence, reputational threats, or threats to take children away.

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Impacts of Psychological Abuse

Like other forms of trauma, psychological abuse can have significant impacts on children and adults throughout their lives.

Not only is childhood abuse likely to cause mental health problems during childhood, but these difficulties often persist into adulthood, too.³ Furthermore, emotional abuse in intimate relationships can result in long-lasting psychological harm.¹

In the following sections, we cover some of the specific impacts that psychological abuse can cause.

Impacts on Children

As infants and children, we have very little control over our emotions and behavior. We are dependent on “dyadic regulation,” which is the soothing and emotional validation offered by competent caregivers. If children repeatedly experience fright and are not soothed, they encounter a chronic activation of their fight-or-flight systems and subsequently do not learn to regulate their feelings.⁴

This effect can result in several challenges in emotional development. Firstly, such children may experience mainly negative emotions and struggle to identify emotions in others.⁴ Secondly, as mentioned before, children often interpret psychological abuse and neglect as them being unloved or unwanted; these beliefs can also undermine healthy development and socialization.³

The second effect is frequently observed in research, as it finds that children who are emotionally abused and neglected are likely to struggle socially and with developing friendships. Furthermore, these children may struggle with low self-esteem, suicidality, and school performance.³

Impacts on Adults

Without healing, adults may continue to experience the negative impacts of psychological abuse beyond childhood. Research finds that adults who were psychologically abused and neglected as children report low self-esteem, sensitivity in relationships, aggression, and hostility. Furthermore, these adults are also found to experience depression, dissociation, and suicidality.⁴

Other research finds long-term effects of childhood psychological abuse to include personality disorders, eating disorders, and alcohol dependency.³

Perhaps surprisingly, research into women who were abused by male partners found more consistent associations between psychological abuse and PTSD than between physical violence and PTSD. In particular, denigration (belittlement and criticism) predicted PTSD more strongly than other forms of abuse.⁵

Impacts on Relationships

Emotional abuse in childhood is thought to contribute to the development of insecure attachment styles (which include anxious, avoidant, and disorganized types). Insecure styles of attachment impair the ability to regulate emotions and can cause people to develop negative ideas about themselves and others. These make it very difficult for people to cope with stress and conflict in healthy ways, which can significantly impact relationships.⁴

While people who are emotionally abused in childhood may struggle socially, this can persist into adult romantic relationships. In particular, people may find intimacy, caregiving, sexual functioning, and conflict resolution challenging. Each of these issues can hugely color their experiences of intimacy. Plus, unfortunately, if these patterns are not resolved, people who were emotionally abused as children may be emotionally abusive to their own children, too.⁴

Further, those whose childhoods were marked by parental rejection are more likely to use avoidant attachment strategies in relationships. In other words, they may become very adept at deactivating natural attachment responses and achieving independence or distance from intimacy.⁴

Emotional abuse in intimate relationships can also impact future relationships. Victims of IVP may continue to experience fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, and depression after the relationship ends, which can then influence their perception of future relationships. Some people may avoid romantic intimacy because of their previous abuse or fear that they’ll have the same experience with someone new.⁸

Despite these deep-seated effects, it is possible to recover from psychological abuse. In the next section, we’ll discuss the types of support out there that you can access to begin healing.

Find Trauma Treatment Programs

A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Trauma support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.

California Locations

See our residences in Southern California’s Orange County & San Diego County.

Carlsbad - Goldenbush

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & covered seating in backyard.

Carlsbad - Hoover

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms for our clients with ocean views and large rooms.

Dana Point - Blue Lantern

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & pool.

Dana Point - Crystal Lantern

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Includes large rooms, updated interior, & private treatment rooms.

Fallbrook - North Ridge

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features a tennis court, pool, and game area.

Fallbrook - Peony

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Secluded area with library, large backyard, and pool.

Laguna Hills - Waterwheel

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & large backyard.

Laguna Niguel - Campeon

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & covered seating in backyard.

Lake Forest - Grayston

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & covered seating in backyard.

Lake Forest - Sunnybrook

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Newly remodeled interior with large rooms and backyard with garden.

San Juan Capistrano - Banderas

Male identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Updated interior, & covered seating in backyard.

San Juan Capistrano - Valencia

Female identifying house with double occupancy rooms. Features large rooms, updated interior, & covered seating in backyard.

Minnesota Locations

Take a look at our homes on the east side of the Metro area in Washington County.

Stillwater - Arcola

Male mental health residential house with double and single occupancy rooms. Secluded area with large backyard many dedicated spaces for therapy.

Stillwater - Dellwood

Female mental health residential house with double and single occupancy rooms. Beautifully appointed, relaxing atmosphere for healing.

Virginia Locations

View our facilities in Fairfax County, VA within the DC metro area.

Annandale - Rebel Rose

Female identifying house with single and double occupancy rooms. Secluded area with movie theater, on a large property.

Fairfax Station - Derbyshire

Male only house with double occupancy rooms. Secluded area with large rooms, gorgeous interior, and music/game room.

Great Falls - Kellie Jean

Gender Inclusive house with double and single occupancy rooms. Secluded area with movie theater, game room, and large property.

Vienna - Browns Mill

Gender Inclusive property, Restoring hope and well-being, AMFM Mental Health Treatment provides compassionate care in a peaceful setting in Vienna, Virginia.

Vienna - Corsica

Gender Inclusive house with double and single occupancy rooms. Secluded area with large backyard, movie theater, and dedicated spaces for therapy.

Vienna - Lawyers

Male identifying house with double and single occupancy rooms. Secluded area with large backyard many dedicated spaces for therapy.

Treatment for Psychological Abuse

Mental health support for abuse survivors can take several forms. The best one for you will depend largely on personal preference and the circumstances of your situation.⁹ A mental health professional will be able to talk you through the best fit for your needs. The following are some of the most commonly used approaches:⁹

Trauma-Focused Therapies:

With specialist knowledge of how trauma impacts mental health, these therapies can include approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy. While CBT explores calming the nervous system and challenging automatic thoughts, psychodynamic therapy focuses on historic experiences to understand the present.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

EMDR invites people to reprocess traumatic memories while being guided through bilateral eye movements. While not specifically a talk therapy, it’s thought to work by reducing the emotional power of memories through exposure and challenging thoughts and beliefs around them.

Counseling and Psychotherapy:

Individual therapy involves less action-taking and more talking than other methods. It focuses on building a strong therapist-client relationship, which can be tremendously helpful in “undoing” the harm caused by psychological abuse. Talking therapy can be used to work through past and current relationships and address the psychological processes that underlie present difficulties.

Abuse Recovery Therapy Groups:

Groups provide a unique form of support that isn’t possible in individual therapy. These groups are found to reduce isolation, normalize people’s feelings, and extend social networks. Some groups will also carry out activities to build self-esteem or assertiveness.

Residential Trauma Treatment:

Inpatient mental health support for abuse survivors is a robust form of care. Often involving trauma-informed therapy sessions, residential centers provide comprehensive support and structure for people who want to focus on recovery without the stresses of everyday life.

Alternative Therapies:

Research also supports the efficacy of art therapy, play therapy, and animal therapies for both children and adults.9 These therapies use alternative methods to express and process emotions – experiences that may not be possible for everyone in talking therapies.

AMFM: How We Can Support You

Healing from emotional abuse may be challenging and complex, but with the right support, it is entirely possible.

At AMFM (A Mission for Michael), we offer several types of evidence-based therapies. We strive to support each person who seeks our help, providing personalized care for their unique needs and circumstances. The relationship with the client is always at the core of what we do, so you can expect safety, confidentiality, and compassion throughout your experience.

Contact us today to discuss help after psychological abuse. Our team can answer any questions you may have and begin your journey to recovery.

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References

Hamel, J., Cannon, C. E. B., & Graham-Kevan, N. (2024). The consequences of psychological abuse and control in intimate partner relationships. Traumatology, 30(3), 314–326. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000449
NSPCC. (2021). Preventing emotional abuse. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/emotional-abuse
Xiao, Z., Murat Baldwin, M., Wong, S. C., Obsuth, I., Meinck, F., & Murray, A. L. (2022). The Impact of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(5), 152483802211228. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380221122816
Riggs, S. A. (2010). Childhood Emotional Abuse and the Attachment System Across the Life Cycle: What Theory and Research Tell Us. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 19(1), 5–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926770903475968
Mechanic, M. B., Weaver, T. L., & Resick, P. A. (2008). Mental Health Consequences of Intimate Partner Abuse. Violence against Women, 14(6), 634–654. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801208319283
National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). Intimate Partner Violence. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/violence_ipv.asp
National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2024). What is Gaslighting? https://www.thehotline.org/resources/what-is-gaslighting/
Psychology Today. (n.d.). The Damaging Effects of Emotional Abuse. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/hope-for-relationships/202405/the-damaging-effects-of-emotional-abuse
Macdonald, G., Livingstone, N., Hanratty, J., et al. (2016). The effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for maltreated children and adolescents: An evidence synthesis (Health Technology Assessment No. 20.69, Appendix 5, Types of interventions). NIHR Journals Library. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK385382/

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Psychological Abuse Trauma Treatment & Recovery