Sometimes even our most encouraging words can leave survivors of abusive relationship feeling unseen. Dear Colleague, Empowering language can become a burden when survivors are not ready to carry it. Phrases like “you’re so strong” or “you’ve got this” are meant to uplift, but they can land as expectations. Survivors may feel they have to […]
When Empowering Survivors Starts to Feel Like Pressure Read More »
There is a quiet power in hearing yourself again after surviving what tried to silence you. Dear Survivor, Your voice is still yours. It may feel buried beneath doubt or fear, but it has never truly left you. I remember the first moment I heard mine clearly again. It happened during a small decision, one
Survivor Strength: Reclaiming Your Inner Voice Read More »
Some days, helping survivors will confront parts of you that you have not healed yet. Dear Colleague, Helping survivors often surfaces your own unprocessed wounds. Even the most seasoned provider can feel caught off guard by an emotional reaction. These reactions may come from past personal trauma, grief, or even early professional burnout. No one
The Thing Nobody Tells You About Helping Survivors Read More »
Healing doesn’t always move in a straight line. Dear Survivor, I thought leaving would be the hard part. I believed that once I got out, the pain would fade and peace would follow. I imagined progress would feel like clarity, like I had crossed a finish line. But instead, I found myself triggered by small
Survivor Strength: Healing Isn’t Linear and That’s Okay Read More »
Some of the most dangerous moments in a survivor’s life happen right after they decide to leave. Dear Colleague, Leaving is often the most life threatening decision a survivor can make. Studies show that women are 70 times more likely to be killed in the weeks after leaving than at any other time in the
Survivors Are Dying to Leave. Literally. Read More »
Sometimes, the bravest thing a survivor can say is no more. Dear Survivor, There was a moment in my own journey when I whispered two words that would change everything: no more. I didn’t shout them. There was no dramatic scene. Just a quiet declaration made in the middle of an ordinary day that felt
Survivor Wisdom: The Power of No More Read More »
You’re not losing your mind, you’re losing the version of you that tolerated emotional chaos. Dear Survivor, If you’ve ever thought, I feel crazy in my relationship, I want you to pause and take a breath. That feeling, that disorientation, that fog… it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a signal
Why Do I Feel Crazy in My Relationship? Read More »
Leaving an abusive relationship isn’t just hard, it can also be life-threateningly dangerous. Dear Colleague, To truly support survivors, we must understand the staggering risks they face when attempting to leave an abusive partner. Here are some facts: Leaving isn’t just an emotional decision — it’s a complex, often life-threatening transition that demands our deep
Why Leaving an Abusive Partner Is So Complex — And So Dangerous Read More »
Your pain is part of your story — but it is not the end of it. Dear Survivor, One of the cruelest lies abuse leaves behind is this: you are broken beyond repair. When you survive narcissistic abuse or an abusive relationship, you may carry shame so deep it feels fused to your bones. You
You Are Not Broken: The Myth of Permanent Damage Read More »
For survivors, trust isn’t just given. It has to be rebuilt piece by piece over time. Dear Colleague, Helping survivors rebuild trust after abuse is one of the most delicate parts of relationship recovery. There are many things that influence the survivor’s ability to relearn trust. Trusting oneself after being challenged year after year, day
Trust After Abuse: Helping Survivors Rebuild Safely Read More »