Sometimes healing feels lonelier than being hurt. Dear Survivor, There’s a quiet grief that doesn’t get talked about enough: the loneliness that shows up after you finally see the truth. At first, awakening to realizing it is abuse can feel like relief. The fog lifts. The confusion starts to clear. But then something unexpected happens. […]
Realizing It Is Abuse: The Loneliness of Waking Up Read More »
What do you do when doing the right thing might put your client at risk? Dear Colleague, Mandated reporting is a legal duty. But for survivors of domestic violence, it can feel like a betrayal. We must walk a careful line, honoring our ethical and professional responsibilities while holding deep awareness of the real-world consequences
When Ethics Meets Danger: Navigating Mandated Reporting with DV Survivors Read More »
Is My Teen in an Unhealthy Relationship? You may find yourself asking questions like: “Is my teen’s relationship just typical drama, or something more serious?” This is one of the most common and heartfelt questions parents ask. Teen relationships can look intense and emotional, and it’s not always easy to tell the difference between normal
Help: I Need Teen Relationship Advice Read More »
Healing from trauma takes time, but what if there were a way to shorten the journey without rushing the process? Dear Survivor, Some survivors spend years in weekly therapy, making brave strides in recovery while still feeling stuck in old trauma loops. I’ve seen it happen often. There’s nothing wrong with the traditional path, but
How EMDR Intensives Help Survivors Heal Faster Read More »
Leaving doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re reclaiming your life, even if it takes more than one try. Dear Survivor, If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I just leave?”—please know you are not alone. This question carries so much pain, shame, and misunderstanding. But the truth is, leaving a narcissist is one of
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery: Why It’s So Hard to Leave a Narcissist Read More »
Some questions echo louder in silence than when spoken aloud. Dear Survivor, When you find yourself wondering, “Was my relationship abusive?” that question alone holds power. It’s the beginning of truth-making, of choosing to listen to your own experiences instead of minimizing them. Even asking means you’re tuning in to something within you that needs
Was My Relationship Abusive? Abusive Relationships Can Be Covert Read More »
When power and control doesn’t stop at the door, it often follows you through your screens. Dear Survivor, A client once told me something that still sits heavy: her partner had secretly placed a tracking device on her car before a weekend recreation trip with a friend. She was shocked when she found it on
They’re Still Watching: Protect Yourself Digitally Read More »
In an abusive relationship, even technology can be turned into a tool of control and manipulation. Dear Colleague, Survivors are often monitored more closely than they realize. From smart home devices to hidden spyware and GPS tracking, abusers exploit technology in deeply invasive ways. As clinicians, we must assess these risks as part of their
The Digital Trap: Helping Survivors Navigate Tech Safety Read More »
Knowing what to expect can calm some of the fear that comes with doing deep healing work. Dear Survivor, Many survivors feel nervous before starting an EMDR intensive. That’s natural. You might be wondering how it works, what you’ll have to talk about, or if you’ll be emotionally overwhelmed. These are common questions, and they
What to Expect from EMDR Therapy Intensives as a Trauma Survivor Read More »
The first step isn’t fixing yourself. It’s remembering you were never broken. Dear Survivor, If you’ve just left a narcissistic relationship, or if you’re still trying to find the strength to go, this question may be echoing inside you: “Where do I even start?” Healing after narcissistic abuse is not a linear process. It doesn’t
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery: Where Do I Begin? Read More »
