Domestic abuse doesn’t always leave bruises. The emotional wounds — fear, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress — can last for years after the physical danger ends. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, NewBridge Services is calling attention to those invisible injuries and the critical role counseling plays in helping survivors heal.

More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced abuse from an intimate partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many times, this occurs before they turned age 18, NewBridge Executive Director of Counseling Services Viki Ferlauto noted. These experiences often lead to lasting emotional harm: survivors may live in a state of constant alert, struggle with sleep, or feel guilt and shame that make recovery difficult.

“Although teen years are when children begin to practice autonomy, it is a vital time to stay closely connected to them,” Ferlauto said. “This allows parents and other adults to be on the lookout for signs of isolation or restrictions imposed within dating relationships.”

Domestic abuse includes physical assaults, sexual coercion, stalking and coercive control — behaviors that isolate or intimidate a partner. In the Garden State, 70,828 incidents of domestic violence were reported in 2023, according to the New Jersey State Police’s domestic violence report. Many others never reach law enforcement.

“Domestic abuse can destroy a person’s sense of safety,” Ferlauto said. “Even after they’ve left an abusive relationship, survivors often struggle with panic and self-doubt. Counseling helps them rebuild stability and confidence.”

Healing Through Counseling

NewBridge counselors use trauma-informed therapy to help survivors process their experiences and regain control of their lives. Counseling sessions focus on:

Recognizing the signs of emotional abuse and ending self-blame
Learning techniques to manage panic and flashbacks
Reconnecting with supportive relationships
Setting healthy boundaries and goals for independence

As technology has advanced, abusers have increasingly used electronic tools — from phones and GPS trackers to social media — to monitor or harass partners, making coercion even more pervasive. Technology-facilitated abuse is increasingly recognized as part of intimate partner violence, with lasting mental health effects, according to a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

NewBridge counselors help clients identify and counter these tactics, which often stem from the same need for control as physical violence. Addressing the psychological effects of coercion is a crucial step toward emotional recovery.

Support and Safety in New Jersey

While NewBridge is not a shelter provider, its counseling programs complement the work of New Jersey’s emergency housing and legal-advocacy agencies. Clients who need protection, relocation or legal assistance are referred to partners such as Jersey Battered Women’s Services and DASI.

“Recovery from domestic abuse requires a network of care,” Ferlauto said. “Our counselors walk beside survivors, helping them manage fear, build coping tools and connect with resources that keep them safe.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available:

NewBridge Services: Call 973-316-9333 or email Services@NewBridge.org for confidential counseling.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233).

Survivors who receive mental health support for abuse can and do recover. With compassionate counseling and community awareness, the cycle of violence can be broken to allow healing.