Domestic Violence Support for Men in Riverside County
What Happened to You Is Real, and It Wasn’t Your Fault
Men who have experienced abuse in a relationship often feel there’s nowhere to take it. Here you’ll have a confidential, nonjudgmental place to deal with what happened and rebuild your footing, working alongside other men who understand how isolating this can be.
At a glance
- Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or digital.
- Support includes safety planning, trauma therapy, group with other men and connections to legal advocates.
- Levels of care: PHP, IOP and outpatient.
- Insurance: we work with most major insurance plans.
Men and abuse
Men Get Hurt in Relationships Too
Abuse in a relationship isn’t defined by gender. Men are hit, threatened, controlled, belittled and cut off from friends and money by partners, former partners and sometimes family members. Because it doesn’t fit what people expect, a lot of men keep it to themselves. They worry no one will believe them, that they’ll be laughed at or that speaking up will make things worse.
Domestic violence is a pattern of one person using fear and control over another, and it doesn’t always leave bruises. Constant criticism, tracking your phone, isolating you from people who care about you or controlling every dollar can wear you down just as much. Over time it’s common to feel anxious, on edge, ashamed, depressed or unsure of your own judgment. Those reactions make sense, and they can be treated.
Signs of abuse
Signs You May Be in an Abusive Relationship
Every relationship has conflict. Abuse is different: it’s a repeated pattern of control. If several of these sound familiar, it’s worth talking with someone who can help you sort it out.
- A partner who hits, shoves or throws things at you
- Being insulted, humiliated or put down, in private or in front of others
- Feeling afraid of how your partner will react
- Your phone, messages or location being monitored
- Being kept from seeing friends or family
- A partner who controls the money or keeps you from working
- Pressure or threats around sex
- Threats to hurt you or themselves, or to make false accusations
- Injuries you find yourself explaining away
- Feeling anxious, numb or always on guard at home
Treatment at Entelos
How Entelos Supports Men Affected by Abuse
Care starts with a confidential assessment of what you’ve been through and how it’s affecting you now, including anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms or drinking and drug use that may have started as a way to cope. If you aren’t safe where you are right now, tell us. Our admissions team will help you work out the right next step and level of care. Your safety comes first: we’ll work with you on a personal safety plan to protect yourself and the people you care about, and we can connect you with legal resources and advocates who specialize in domestic violence cases, so you understand your rights.
In individual therapy you can talk openly about what happened without being judged or rushed. Trauma-focused approaches like cognitive processing therapy help loosen the grip of self-blame and fear. Group time with other men breaks the isolation that abuse depends on. You’ll also work on rebuilding confidence, setting boundaries and recognizing what a healthy relationship looks like. Entelos provides mental health treatment, so for legal questions, an attorney is the right person to ask.
Therapies that may be part of your plan
- Trauma Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Talk Therapy and Counseling
- Process Group Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Holistic Care
Levels of care
Questions
Common Questions
Will I be taken seriously as a man who was abused?
Yes. Here, what you went through is treated as real and serious. Many men wait years before talking about it, and there’s no wrong time to start.
Do I have to leave the relationship to get help?
No. You can start treatment wherever things stand right now. Therapy can help you think clearly about your options at your own pace. If your safety is at risk, our admissions team will help you find the right level of care.
What if I'm worried about my own behavior at home?
Our domestic violence support focuses on men who have experienced abuse. If you’re worried about your own temper or how conflict plays out at home, our anger management page explains how treatment can help. If a court is involved, ask our admissions team and your attorney what will meet the requirement.
How does insurance work for this kind of care?
We work with most major insurance plans. Verify your benefits, and admissions will walk you through your coverage clearly.
Keep reading