Domestic Violence is a major global issue, and emotional abuse is playing a significant part in this, with children being caught in the crossfire.  Emotional abuse is one of the most common, yet under-researched types of abuse. It is insidious and has been associated with many other forms of childhood abuse.  Studies suggest for victims of emotional abuse, the psychological meaning of the trauma experienced has a much deeper impact than the more physical types of abuse.  Emotional abuse has been shown to be the most chronic and pervasive type of abuse leading to the development of maladaptive schemas of the self and the world.  Our research aimed to assess the impact of childhood trauma, specifically emotional abuse, by assessing maladaptive schemas and the associations with PTSD and CPTSD symptoms, trauma recovery and well-being.  Our findings suggest that individuals that have experienced childhood emotional abuse, struggle with thinking, feeling and subsequent behavior that reflects defectiveness, affect deregulation, negative self-concept, and disturbances in relationships, resulting in lower levels of trauma recovery and wellbeing.  However, there is hope as these individuals may experience increased levels of trauma recovery and wellbeing through developing connection and acceptance, affect regulation, positive self-concept, and supportive relationships.