Therapy, Counselling
& Recovery
Trauma-informed therapy, support groups, online counselling, the Freedom Programme, self-care for survivors, and specialist services. Healing is not linear — but it is possible.
Trauma-informed therapy
Trauma-informed therapy recognises the impact of trauma on the whole person and does not require you to repeatedly retell your story. Specialist counsellors understand domestic abuse and its effects.
Finding specialist support
- BACP — Find a Therapist
- UKCP — Trauma Specialists
- NHS Talking Therapies — via GP referral (free)
- Many refuges and DA services offer free or low-cost counselling
- Counselling Directory
Types of trauma therapy
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) — NICE-recommended for PTSD
- Trauma-focused CBT — evidence-based approach for trauma
- Somatic therapy — body-based approaches to trauma
- Narrative therapy — reframing the story of your experience
- Art and creative therapy — non-verbal approaches to processing trauma
Support groups
Group support can be profoundly healing. Knowing that others have shared your experience — and have survived — can break through isolation like nothing else.
Find a support group
- Women’s Aid Local Services
- Freedom Programme Groups
- Local refuge support groups — ask your local DA service
- Online groups — available if in-person attendance is not safe
Peer support & forums
- Women’s Aid Survivors Handbook
- Women’s Aid online community forum — anonymous peer support
- Galop peer support for LGBT+ survivors
- ManKind Initiative peer support for male survivors
Online therapy
Online therapy allows you to access support from a safe location — particularly important when attending in-person appointments is not safe or practical.
BetterHelp UK
Online counselling platform with therapists trained in trauma, domestic abuse, and relationships. Subscription-based with financial assistance available.
BetterHelp UK →Counselling Directory
Find a therapist who can work online. Filter by specialism including domestic abuse and trauma.
Counselling Directory →NHS Talking Therapies
Free via GP referral. Some areas offer online Talking Therapies. Ask your GP about referral for PTSD, anxiety, or depression related to domestic abuse.
Self-care for survivors
Healing is not linear. Be patient with yourself. Some days you will feel you are going backwards — you are not. You are processing.
Physical
Gentle movement, adequate sleep, nourishing food when possible. Your body has been under extreme stress — it needs care, not pressure.
Emotional
Journalling, creative expression, connecting with trusted people. Let yourself grieve what happened. Anger is allowed. So is hope.
Mental
Grounding techniques, mindfulness, limiting news and triggers where safe. Your nervous system is recalibrating — give it time.
Practical
Small achievable goals. Celebrate small wins. Ask for help — it is not weakness. You have been doing everything alone for too long.
The Freedom Programme
The Freedom Programme helps survivors — before or after leaving — to understand the beliefs held by abusers and the effects of those beliefs. It is run live and online across the UK, is often free or low-cost, and is available in many languages.
From the Founder
From the Founder
Personal writing from Amy Royle — survival, recovery, neurodiversity, parenting through trauma, advocacy, and the journey that built NAAVoices.
All resources by NAAVoices.com — ⚖ DA & Neurodiversity — Understanding the Risks, Barriers & Support ⚠ Police Misconduct & Victim BlamingYour Pain, Your Voice, Your Life Matters — NAAVoices