Author: Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Teen Mental Health: Why Teens Blame Themselves After an Unhealthy Relationship

Teen Dating / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

When Your Teen Says, “It Was My Fault” Parents often feel heartbroken hearing their teen say, “It was my fault,” after a relationship that clearly caused pain or harm. You may want to reassure them right away, but underneath that self-blame is often deep confusion and shame. Teens who have experienced manipulation, emotional abuse, or […]

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10 Empowering Podcasts for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Relationship Abuse / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Sometimes healing feels less lonely when we can hear voices that remind us we are not alone. Dear Survivor, When you are rebuilding life after abuse, it helps to hear stories and guidance from others who have walked this path. Podcasts can be a powerful companion because you can listen while driving, walking, or simply

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Survivor Safety Starts with Listening

Therapists working with DV Survivors / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Safety begins not with advice, but with deep, attuned presence Some of the most powerful work we do begins with what we don’t say. Dear Colleague, Survivors often enter therapy already bracing for judgment. They’ve been blamed, doubted, and silenced. Sometimes this comes from the very systems meant to help them. When we meet their

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Healing After Narcissistic Abuse: Steps Every Survivor Should Know

Relationship Abuse / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Some wounds don’t show up on the skin, but they still need time and tenderness to heal. Dear Survivor, Healing after narcissistic abuse takes more than time. It takes truth, community, and a deep reconnection with your inner voice. This kind of abuse doesn’t just hurt. It confuses, isolates, and erodes your sense of self.

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AI for Abuse Survivors: What Helps and What Hurts

Wellness Topics / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

How Can AI Support Survivors of Abuse? Dear Survivor, Some tools were built to help, and some were built without you in mind. If you’ve lived through emotional, physical, or psychological abuse, you already know that healing is layered. It’s quiet. It’s personal. And sometimes, it needs to happen in private. That’s where AI can

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AI and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Wellness Topics / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Can AI Help with Narcissistic Abuse Recovery? Dear Survivor, After narcissistic abuse, even the smallest decisions can feel overwhelming. You may second guess yourself, over explain, or feel paralyzed when trying to move forward. Recovery doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in tiny steps, and sometimes, support comes from unexpected places. AI and narcissistic

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Recognizing Narcissistic Abuse in the Therapy Room

Relationship Abuse / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

A trauma-informed lens on gaslighting, manipulation, and power Some clients have no idea they are describing abuse. Dear Colleague, A client shares that their partner constantly “corrects” them, questions their memory, shifts blame and alternates between lavish praise and emotional withdrawal. They might blame themselves, wondering why they’re so sensitive or confused. This isn’t just

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What Is Coercive Control? A Survivor’s Guide to Emotional Abuse

Relationship Abuse / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Control doesn’t always come with raised voices or bruises. Dear Survivor, Coercive control is one of the most overlooked forms of abuse. It is a slow unraveling of your autonomy, your confidence, and your voice. It shows up as monitoring, isolation, subtle put-downs, or rules that shift without warning. The goal is not just power.

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How to Help When Your Teen’s Partner Is Controlling

Wellness Topics / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Understanding Control in Teen Relationships When parents sense that something is off in their teen’s relationship, it can be difficult to know what to do. Many parents describe feeling helpless or afraid of saying the wrong thing. You might notice your teen’s partner seems overly involved in their daily life, dictates who they spend time

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How Narcissists Use Coercive Control in Relationships

Relationship Abuse / Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S

Control doesn’t always come with bruises. Sometimes, it comes with silence, fear, and shrinking your truth to survive. Dear Survivor, You may not have called it control at the time. Maybe it looked like jealousy. Or concern. Or the kind of love that just wanted you “safe.” But if you ever felt like you had

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