Business

Behind the Screen: Revealing the Faces of Cyber Abusers

The Chicago Journal Contributor

August 7, 2024

By: Nic Abelian

Corey Woodhouse, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and founder of Corey Woodhouse, LPC Counseling and Clinical Supervision, is dedicated to helping individuals overcome the lasting impacts of abuse. With thirteen years of experience and a practice spanning the states of Michigan, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Florida, Corey has become a beacon of hope for those navigating the challenging terrain of recovery from verbal, emotional, and physical abuse.

A Mission Rooted in Personal Experience

As a survivor of abuse, Corey brings a unique perspective to the counseling profession. Despite having a successful career and a supportive social network, Corey found themselves isolated and victimized by an abuser in a past relationship. This personal experience fueled a lifelong mission to remove the stigma associated with abuse and bring awareness to protective measures, safety strategies, and healing processes.

“I have made it my life’s mission to help empower men and women who are survivors of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse,” Corey shares. “Abuse affects everyone across all ages, genders, and pay grades. It’s okay to ask for help; you are not alone.”

The Evolution of Abuse in the Digital Age

In recent years, the nature of abuse has evolved with technology. Abusers now utilize digital platforms to exert control and inflict harm, creating a new set of challenges for victims. Corey’s counseling practice addresses these modern manifestations of abuse, offering strategies to identify and combat digital abuse.

“Abusers use multiple dating app profiles with different names and identities that are not their own, employ location trackers to stalk or control their victims, and can even go as far as installing malware on victims’ computers,” Corey explains. “Additionally, they may even threaten to leak compromising pictures online as revenge if their demands are not met.”

Here are five recommendations Corey has to help protect yourself at the beginning of a new relationship:

Make sure you keep your phone with you and locked at all times so that strangers cannot gain access to your photos, chats, location history, or install malware on your device.
If you add a potential partner to your social media, be careful not to share location details of where you will be going or if you will be alone. A good rule of thumb is to post event details 24 hours after the event has concluded.
If a partner or potential partner is pressuring you to provide them with information or pictures and you do not feel comfortable doing so, it is okay to set boundaries with them and say no. Corey works with clients to practice assertiveness skills in an emotionally safe setting, emphasizing the importance of communicating needs over people-pleasing. It’s okay to say no, and wanting privacy does not make you a bad partner.
It is important to communicate together what you do and don’t feel comfortable sharing online. This includes relationship status information, if you will be deleting any dating profile apps or remaining active, as well as sharing any pictures with one another (privately on Snapchat vs. publicly on instagram, for example). Discussing what will happen if boundaries are violated, such as partner screenshotting private images and sharing, is also essential.
When communicating with someone new, it is okay to share that communication with friends or those you trust to determine whether or not those messages are concerning or a potential red flag. This helps the client to develop a more balanced assessment of the relationship apart from any feelings of attachment they may have. Abuse often happens in silence, where the abuser isolates their victim from those who care about them to make them question their own worth, to stop them from questioning their bad behavior (gaslighting), and to make them feel like they are dependent upon the abuser.

Corey’s approach focuses on helping victims recognize these manipulative behaviors and develop strategies to protect themselves. By casting a light on abusive tactics and encouraging open communication, Corey empowers clients to reclaim their lives and move forward with confidence.

Raising Awareness and Empowering Survivors

Corey Woodhouse’s work extends beyond individual counseling sessions. By raising awareness about the evolving nature of abuse in the digital age, Corey aims to educate and empower survivors, helping them navigate the complexities of modern abuse. Through counseling, clients learn to identify manipulative behaviors, protect themselves, and build new boundaries to ensure future safety and connection.

For more information about Corey Woodhouse and its counseling services, visit www.coreywoodhouse.com.