“For the first time, I didn’t feel like I had to hold it all in.”
When Briana contacted House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC), she was a young college student with nowhere to go—kicked out of her home and carrying the weight of unspoken trauma: physical and emotional abuse from her father.
At first, it was hard for Briana to open up. But over time, she and her counselor built a strong, trusting relationship—one rooted in safety, non-judgment, and compassion. Briana began to find the words to make sense of her family system and explore the complex, conflicted feelings she held toward her parents. Though the process was painful, she gradually developed the emotional regulation skills needed to face her past and begin healing.
With each session, Briana gained insight, not just into what had happened, but how it had shaped the way she saw herself and the world. Her healing journey wasn’t linear, but she kept going.
Now, Briana is nearing her college graduation. And she continues to work with her counselor to navigate the challenges of adulthood, carrying with her the tools, language, and strength to build a future free from the patterns of her past abuse.
This is the difference you make.
Because of your support, survivors like Briana don’t have to heal on a timeline. At the DVSC, counseling is never time-bound, and there are no payment or insurance requirements. Survivors can continue receiving care for as long as they need it. And when they’re ready, we support them in planning a thoughtful transition, whether that means accessing therapy through an employer, a community provider, or another trusted source. Your generosity removes the barriers to accessing mental health for domestic abuse survivors.
*Name has been changed to protect privacy. The included photo may not picture the individuals featured in the story. The photo is of actual House of Ruth program participants.
