It’s commonly believed that when people enter the legal divorce process, they have come to accept the reality that divorce is inevitable. Divorce Isn’t Always a Done Deal Even therapists and lawyers tend to assume that once divorce papers are filed, ambivalence about divorcing is over and the only task ahead is to help couples […]
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Leaving isn’t about strength or weakness, it’s about safety, timing, and having the right support. Dear Survivor, If the words “I need help leaving an abusive relationship” have echoed in your mind or left your lips, please know this: your voice matters. Saying it, even silently, is a powerful act of truth-telling. You are not
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Gaslighting doesn’t just distort your memory, it teaches you to mistrust yourself, and therapy can help you get that trust back. Dear Survivor, Gaslighting is one of the most insidious forms of emotional abuse. It doesn’t leave bruises, but it erodes your sense of reality, one subtle moment at a time. You may have been
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The most powerful healing begins when you stop trying to be who they wanted and start becoming who you are. Dear Survivor, If you’ve been in a relationship with a narcissistic partner, you know the damage goes far beyond words. You were likely blamed for everything, made to question your every memory, and convinced that
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Healing begins when you feel seen, not when you have all the answers. Dear Survivor, Searching for a therapist for emotional abuse recovery can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve never shared your story before. Maybe you’re unsure if it “counts” as abuse. Or maybe you’ve tried therapy before and didn’t feel understood. The good news is
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You don’t have to wait until it gets worse to ask for help, reaching out is already a sign of strength. Dear Survivor, If you’re reading this and wondering if you need help for an abusive relationship, that is a powerful first step. Even naming the possibility can feel terrifying. Abusers often work hard to
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We’ve seen people in your shoes—a spouse announces a divorce—make a bunch of mistakes when it comes to talking with others. One mistake is to not tell anyone, often out of shame or to avoid recognizing the threat at real. The result is isolation and stewing in one’s juices. A second mistake is to tell
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Understanding Empathy Overload and Its Effects Caring deeply is not the problem. Carrying it all alone might be. Dear Colleague, You listen to trauma stories every day. You hold space for grief, fear, rage, and despair. You try to be present, steady, and safe. And some days, that gets harder. That heaviness you feel? It
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Finding Mental Health Support After a Breakup Leaving was not just about heartbreak. It was about survival. Dear Survivor, A woman once told me that after she left, people treated it like a typical breakup. They asked if she was dating again. They encouraged her to get over it. What they did not see were
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Understanding Sexual Coercion and Its Impact If it was not a choice, it was not consent. Dear Colleague, Sexual coercion does not always look like force. Sometimes it sounds like “If you really loved me…” or “Everyone else would do this for their partner.” Sometimes it is the cold shoulder until compliance. Or the fear
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