Leaving an abusive relationship does not necessarily mean you immediately feel safe. Returning home after incarceration does not mean the stress of that experience disappears. Sometimes the people around you expect a fresh start while you are still trying to understand what happened and how to move forward.

You may be struggling with sleep, mistrust, shame, anger, or feeling constantly on guard. You may also have practical concerns—housing, employment, family responsibilities, or legal obligations—that leave little room to focus on yourself.

At Brookhaven Therapy in Lincoln, Alyssa Simnitt, LIMHP, works with adults affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, incarceration, and other traumatic experiences. Her graduate education in criminal justice and social work informs her understanding of both personal experiences and the systems people navigate.

These experiences are different, and no two people need the same kind of support. Therapy starts with understanding your situation.

After Domestic Violence: Making Room for Your Own Decisions

You might find yourself asking:

• Why do I still miss someone who hurt me?
• Why do I question my memory or judgment?
• How do I recognize a relationship that is safe?
• How do I make decisions when someone else has controlled them for so long?

You can bring these questions to therapy without having all the answers.

Alyssa’s approach emphasizes choice and collaboration. Sessions can address self-blame, trust, boundaries, painful memories, and the ways your experiences affect daily life. You do not need to tell your entire story in the first appointment.

If abuse is ongoing, practical safety support matters alongside therapy. A domestic violence advocate can help you consider your circumstances and options without requiring you to make an immediate decision about leaving.

A Safety Plan Can Start With Your Current Situation

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a personalized safety-planning tool for people experiencing abuse, preparing to leave, or navigating life afterward. A plan can address whom to contact, where to go, and what support may be needed.

A useful first question is: “What would make the next day or week safer for me?”

That might mean talking with an advocate about safe communication, transportation, children, or access to essential belongings. You do not have to solve every problem at once.

If someone may monitor your device or accounts, consider using a safer device to look for help. Private browsing and deleting history do not guarantee that activity cannot be discovered.

Therapy After Incarceration or Justice-System Involvement

An arrest, time in jail or prison, probation, parole, or other justice-system involvement can bring concerns that are difficult to explain to someone who has not listened carefully.

You may feel judged before anyone knows you. Reconnecting with family may be complicated. You might be managing expectations, appointments, and practical barriers while also dealing with experiences you have not had space to process.

Therapy can provide room to explore:

• What helps you feel safe enough to talk honestly.
• How past experiences affect trust and relationships.
• Shame, anger, grief, and fears about the future.
• Ways to respond to stress without making life harder.
• The person you want to be and the choices available now.

You can take responsibility for your choices while also acknowledging harm you have experienced. Neither requires reducing your identity to a record or a difficult period in your life.

Three Questions to Bring to a First Appointment

You do not need to prepare a detailed personal history. These questions may be more useful:

What is hardest right now?
Choose something concrete: sleeping, going to appointments, handling conflict, or feeling comfortable around other people.

What would I like help changing?
For example: “I want to get through a disagreement without shutting down,” or “I want to stop blaming myself for someone else’s behavior.”

What do I need to understand before I feel comfortable talking?
You can ask about confidentiality, its limits, documentation, and communication with other professionals. If treatment is connected to a court or supervision requirement, clarify what is required and whether the service meets that requirement before scheduling.

Lincoln Resources You Can Use

Domestic violence and sexual assault support:
Voices of Hope serves survivors of all genders in Lincoln. Its confidential, 24-hour crisis line is 402-475-7273. You can contact an advocate even if you are uncertain how to describe what you have experienced.

Safety planning and national support:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers live advocacy by phone at 800-799-7233, online chat, or by texting START to 88788.

Support returning to the community:
Lincoln’s Center for People Community Reentry program helps people transitioning from incarceration develop employment and everyday skills. Contact the program about current participation options.

These resources serve different purposes. Therapy offers ongoing mental health support; advocacy and reentry programs can help address other immediate needs.

Meet With Alyssa Simnitt

You do not need to feel ready to discuss everything. You can begin with what is affecting your life today.

Learn more about Alyssa’s approach, or request a free consultation with Alyssa. Brookhaven can help you check appointment availability and insurance coverage.

If safe to do so, let us know a safe way to contact you.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

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