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Back to full listing of specialties
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Abuse There are many types of abuse which we may suffer at the hands of another. Whether you have come to this page for yourself or for someone you care about, it is important to know that you have choices. When we become the victim of abuse, whether it be physical, emotional or sexual, we may feel trapped in the role of victim with no possible way out to safety. Whether you are experiencing abuse now, or whether it is a painful issue in your past, it is important to know that THERE IS HELP, and you need not face this painful ordeal alone. There are emergency shelters for domestic violence throughout Washington DC, Maryland and the areas we serve in Virginia, as well as Child and Adult Protective Agencies that are mandated by law to intervene in child abuse situations and situations in which an elderly or disabled person is being abused. You can find these centers by looking in the front of your telephone directory, calling your operator or 911. IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, PLEASE CALL THE POLICE OR 911. The immediate concern in any abusive situation is to get you to safety. After this comes the difficult and very, very important task of working through the emotional wounds that come with any type of abuse, whether it be spouse or partner abuse, child abuse or abuse that you have suffered at the hands of a caregiver. ALSO, if you are afraid you may be abusing your child, partner or someone else whom you care for, there is help available to you. Many times your local hotline, rape crisis center, child abuse reporting agency and/or mental health association can put you in touch with support for yourself and the person you are concerned you may be abusing. Whether your situation is one that requires immediate intervention because of current abuse, or whether you experienced abuse in the past and are now finding the emotional aftereffects difficult to deal with, a counselor can help you deal with the pain that comes from having been violated emotionally, physically or sexually. The following counselors specialize in dealing with issues of abuse:
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