Safe, confidential counselling for survivors of intimate partner violence.
About This Service
What is happening to you is not normal, not your fault, and not something you have to endure alone.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and domestic violence, rarely look the way they are portrayed. They do not always involve visible bruises. More often, they look like a partner who controls your finances, monitors your phone, isolates you from your family, destroys your confidence with words, or creates an atmosphere of fear so pervasive that you no longer trust your own perceptions of reality.
In India, the barriers to acknowledging domestic violence are immense. Marriage is treated as sacred and permanent. Family pressure to “adjust” is intense. Economic dependence is real. And many times, the abuser carefully instills the belief in you that you are somehow responsible for what is happening, or that no one will believe you. This keeps many women silent for years.
This therapy for women, by women psychologists, is a safe, completely confidential space for women who are experiencing or have experienced intimate partner violence. Whether you’re facing physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or psychological abuse – we are here to help. You do not need to have left the relationship to be in touch with us. You do not need to be certain about what to call what is happening. You simply need to feel that something is wrong and seek our help.
Symptoms and Concerns We Address
Forms of intimate partner violence we work with-
Abuse in relationships takes many forms, and not all of them are immediately recognisable as abuse:
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
Hitting, pushing, restraining, or any physical force used to hurt, intimidate, or control you
EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
Constant criticism, humiliation, name-calling, threats, or behaviour designed to make you feel worthless and dependent
GASLIGHTING
Being made to doubt your own memory, perception, or sanity by your abuser by saying – “that never happened,” “you are too sensitive,” “you imagined it”
COERCIVE CONTROL
Controlling where you go, who you see, what you wear, how you spend money – or monitoring your phone and movements
SEXUAL COERCION
Being pressured, manipulated, or forced into sexual activity you did not consent to – including within marriage
FINANCIAL ABUSE
Being denied access to money, prevented from working, or kept financially dependent to limit your ability to leave
ISOLATION
Being cut off from family, friends, or support networks – leaving you without anyone to turn to or reality-check with
TRAUMA AFTERMATH
Fear, hyper-vigilance, self-doubt, shame, and depression that persist after an abusive relationship – including after leaving
Our Therapeutic Approach
Trauma-informed and safety-first
Working with women experiencing or recovering from IPV requires a specific kind of care. We prioritise your safety, respect your autonomy, and never push you to move faster than you are ready to go:
- Safety planning first
If you are currently in an abusive relationship, our first priority is your safety. We work together on a practical, confidential safety plan before anything else – what to do in a crisis, who to contact, and how to access resources. - Trauma-informed care
Domestic violence is trauma. We use trauma-sensitive approaches throughout. We never push you to revisit painful material before you are ready, and always work to build safety and stability first. - Naming and validating the abuse
Many women have spent years being told that what is happening is normal, or that they provoked it. A critical part of recovery is clearly naming the abuse for what it is and then dismantling the distorted belief system the abuser has built around it. - Rebuilding self-worth and trust in yourself
Prolonged abuse systematically destroys self-confidence and self-trust. We work slowly and carefully to rebuild your sense of your own perceptions, judgment, and worth. This is the foundation that everything else depends on. - Processing trauma symptoms
Hypervigilance, flashbacks, difficulty trusting others, shame, and anxiety are all common responses to IPV. We work on these with evidence-based trauma therapies, paced to what you can manage. - Supporting your decisions – whatever they are
We do not tell women to leave. Leaving is the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship, and it is your decision to make. What we do is ensure you have accurate information, genuine support, and a space free of pressure – so that whatever you decide, you decide it clearly.
If you are in immediate danger, please contact the National Commission for Women helpline: 7827170170, or the police emergency line: 112. Our counselling space supports you through the psychological dimensions of IPV, and we can work alongside legal and shelter resources when needed.
What to Expect
Coming to this space for the first time
- Absolute safety and confidentiality
What you share here will not be disclosed to your partner, your family, or anyone else. This space is yours, and yours alone. Confidentiality is maintained absolutely, except in situations of imminent danger to life (self-harm). - You do not need to have left or have decided to leave
You can come here while still in the abusive relationship. Many women need support before they are able to make any decisions about leaving. Our counselling space does not require you to be at any particular stage. - No judgment about why you stayed
The reasons women stay in abusive relationships are complex, real, and valid – economic dependence, children, family pressure, fear, love, hope. You will never be asked to justify your choices here. - Online sessions for maximum safety and privacy
Online sessions are strongly recommended for women who are still in an abusive household – as they can be accessed privately, with no physical trail of attendance. Sessions can be held during a walk, from a parked car, or from any private space. - A long-term, stable relationship
Recovery from IPV is not short-term work. Many women need sustained support through the process of leaving, through legal proceedings and through rebuilding an independent life. We are here for as long as that takes.
