Please read this part first

Thank you for telling us that. It changes what you need from here.

You said someone in your home is afraid for their physical safety. That is not a communication problem, and couples work is not the right tool for it — in some situations joint sessions can make things more dangerous, not less.

So there is nothing to buy on this page. Ray would want you to talk to people who do this specific work, and he would want you to do it before anything else.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 now. If it isn’t safe to speak, you can call and stay silent, or text 911 in most parts of the United States.

People who can help, free and confidential

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

24 hours, every day, free and confidential. Text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. They will talk through options with you without telling you what to do — including if you are not sure what you are dealing with.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

For any kind of emotional crisis, not only thoughts of suicide. 24 hours, free.

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

24 hours, free and confidential. Online chat at rainn.org.

Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence

mnadv.org

Local Maryland services, shelters and legal advocacy, if you are near Ray’s office.

Two practical things. If someone else can see this device, close this page and clear your history — or use a friend’s phone or a library computer. And the hotline can help you think about safety planning before you make any move, which is often the most important part.

About Ray

Ray is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, and he does take on individual work with people in difficult situations — including where couples work is not appropriate. He has seen your answers and his office will reach out quietly. If you would rather they didn’t, reply to say so and that will be the end of it.

If you want to reach him directly, the number is (301) 220-6955.