Emotional Abuse therapists in Berkeley, CA
Browse Emotional Abuse therapists in Berkeley, California. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
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Emotional Abuse
Jesse Whittle-Utter
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #79783
Emotional abuse leaves scars, but because they are invisible it's easy to not take the abuse seriously or know how to address it. I help you identify abuse and develop strategies for self-care.
18 Years Experience
In-Person in Berkeley, CA 94709
Online in Berkeley, CA
Emotional Abuse
The Connection Clinic
Marriage and Family Therapist
At The Connection Clinic, we create a safe space to heal from the effects of emotional abuse. Our goal is to empower you to reclaim your voice and cultivate a strong sense of self-worth.
9 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Emotional Abuse
Mia Turner
Therapist, MA, RYT, ASDCS, LMFT, NPT-C, CMNCS, CMIP
Healing support for survivors of emotionally abusive, manipulative, coercive, controlling, narcissistic, psychologically harmful, or chronically invalidating relationships. These experiences often leave impacts that extend far beyond the relationship itself, shaping self-trust, identity, nervous system functioning, boundaries, self-worth, and one's relationship with reality.
Emotional abuse can gradually erode confidence in your own thoughts, feelings, perceptions, memories, instincts, and lived experiences. It may show up as chronic self-doubt, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, walking on eggshells, perfectionism, difficulty trusting yourself, over-explaining, self-silencing, emotional overwhelm, dissociation, chronic guilt, difficulty identifying your needs, or feeling disconnected from your own voice and inner knowing. Many of these responses reflect the intelligence of a nervous system that learned to adapt to unpredictability, criticism, manipulation, invalidation, coercion, or emotional unsafety.
This work explores not only what happened within the relationship, but also the ways those experiences may continue to live within the body, nervous system, beliefs, relationships, and sense of self. Attention is given to the influence of attachment experiences, family systems, culture, gender, spirituality, trauma, internalized narratives, and the survival strategies that may have helped you navigate difficult relational environments. Particular care is given to understanding how emotional abuse intersects with neurodivergence, disability, chronic illness, race, culture, sexuality, and other identities that may have shaped vulnerability, coping, and meaning-making.
My approach integrates EMDR, somatic therapy, mindfulness, polyvagal-informed practices, attachment-focused therapy, parts work and Internal Family Systems (IFS), neuropsychotherapy, expressive arts, narrative therapy, and liberation-oriented healing. Therapy may include exploring patterns of protection, reconnecting with bodily wisdom and intuition, strengthening boundaries, processing traumatic experiences, understanding attachment wounds, reclaiming agency, and developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Healing is not approached as becoming less sensitive, more agreeable, or simply "moving on." It is often about reclaiming trust in your own experiences, reconnecting with your body's signals, honoring your needs and emotions, unlearning harmful messages you may have internalized, and creating enough safety for your voice, boundaries, values, and authentic self to take up space again. The goal is not simply to recover from what happened, but to cultivate relationships with yourself and others that are grounded in mutual respect, authenticity, consent, reciprocity, and care.
10 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Emotional Abuse
Nes Pinar Psychotherapy
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I help people who have experienced emotional abuse reconnect with their own voice, needs, and sense of worth after long periods of being dismissed, controlled, or minimized. Together, we gently untangle the impact of those dynamics—shame, self‑doubt, confusion, and the lingering pull of old patterns—so you can understand what happened with clarity and compassion. My approach is steady, relational, and deeply affirming, supporting you as you rebuild trust in yourself and create relationships that feel safe, mutual, and respectful.
15 Years Experience
In-Person Near Berkeley, CA
Online in Berkeley, CA
Emotional Abuse
Lisa Abdilova Andresen
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
What if it's precisely because you're smart, caring, and accommodating that you've been targeted by manipulative people? It's not your fault that people can be untrustworthy, self-serving, harsh, and insensitive.
Narcissists and Sociopaths represent 2% of the population, and they often have children. Growing up with highly critical, emotionally unavailable parents, who may have been caught up in their own mental health challenges, addictions, or abusive relationships can be considered traumatic.
People who've survived narcissistic abuse, upbringings without empathy, or a relentless break-down of your ego can still be successful high-achievers and entrepreneurs. Even after trying everything you can to keep the peace, please them, what if you still feel unsupported by your loved ones?
I specialize in the links between trauma and achievement, as well as family estrangement. Gradually, you'll learn that your preferences and needs matter too. We'll identify your triggers, practice self-regulation strategies, and develop tools for you to connect with your self-worth, establish a sense of safety, and identify trustworthy people.
9 Years Experience
In-Person Near Berkeley, CA
Online in Berkeley, CA
Emotional Abuse
Miriam Adrianowicz
Psychologist, PsyD
Relationships can turn abusive at times. Your safety is my priority, and we'll work together to implement ways to increase your sense of safety. It is important to understand that emotional abuse is abuse. It may not be as clear cut as physical abuse, but it is equally as harmful and traumatic. Together, we'll process your experience, try to understand the relational dynamic, and emphasize that the abuse you suffered is not your fault.
7 Years Experience
In-Person Near Berkeley, CA
Online in Berkeley, CA
Emotional Abuse
Abigail (Abi) Zarate Ramsay
Pre-Licensed Professional, Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee
I help survivors of emotional abuse recognize harmful patterns, heal from gaslighting and control, and rebuild self-trust, boundaries, and safer, more supportive relationships.
0 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Emotional Abuse
Corrie Blissit
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, LMFT#150479
Victims of emotional abuse may feel like they have completely lost themselves. When we experience psychological abuse, there are severe ramifications that impact our ability to function holistically in our lives. To make matters worse, emotional abuse is often invisible to others. Our partner may behave differently in front our friends and family, but behind closed doors they are bullies and tyrants. This leads to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and shame. As the confusion and disorientation of this experience sets in, victims start to distrust their own healthy instincts and may even blame themselves for their partners abusive behaviors. The cycle of psychological beatings is a soul killing process. Whether you experienced emotional abuse as a child or are currently living with this traumatic experience, there is hope, joy, and empowerment to be found beyond the pain and suffering. Call or email me today to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.
5 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Emotional Abuse
Susanna La
Psychologist, Ph.D.
When we experience emotional abuse, we come up with creative ways of coping to try to get our needs met or even to disconnect from those needs. The creative coping strategies we develop as children tend to stay with us into adulthood, especially if we haven’t developed new coping skills. Without awareness of the impacts of our pain, we tend to replicate patterns of people pleasing, hyper-independence, perfectionism, lack of boundaries, and seeking emotionally unavailable/painful relationships.
13 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Emotional Abuse
Erin Powers
Counselor/Therapist, APCC 9590
I have experience working with clients who have dealt with emotional abuse. I utilize various modalities to support you in overcoming the negative effects/trauma of such experiences.
6 Years Experience
Online in Berkeley, CA (Online Only)
Berkeley is home to the University of California, Berkeley—one of the world's great public research universities—and has a progressive, intellectually vibrant character and a community culture that is among the most therapy-positive in the United States, with an unusually high density of licensed therapists relative to population. The university's health services include counseling for enrolled students, and the academic and activist culture of Berkeley creates specific mental health pressures around perfectionism, imposter syndrome, political engagement, and the burnout of sustained social activism. The city's housing market is among the most expensive in the country, and financial precarity is a significant stressor for students, artists, and workers who value Berkeley but struggle to afford it. Common therapy concerns include academic stress, activist burnout, identity and social justice, anxiety, depression, and the complex emotional experience of living in a place with deeply held ideals about equity alongside the daily reality of inequality.
Emotional Abuse therapists in Berkeley, CA Statistics
Emotional Abuse therapists in Berkeley, CA average 15 years of experience and charge around $204 per session. 99% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (64%), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (45%), and Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) (45%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$204
Accept insurance
39%
Offer sliding scale
52%
Gender ID
| 65% |
Female |
|
| 26% |
Male |
|
| 5% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 4% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 53% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 46% |
Online Only |
|
| 1% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 64% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 45% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 45% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 44% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 43% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 40% | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) |
| 39% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 69% | Young Adult |
| 58% | Senior |
| 53% | Teen |
| 33% | Children |
Client Focus
| 73% | Women |
| 54% | LGBTQ+ |
| 51% | Men |
| 40% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 36% | Christian |