Strength is not something we give survivors. It is something we recognize in them. Dear Colleague, Too often, support begins with the assumption that something is wrong. When providers enter the room ready to fix, we reinforce the belief that survivors are damaged. Even gentle guidance can feel like correction when it is not requested. […]
Survivors Are Not Broken. We Must Stop Treating Them That Way. Read More »
Sometimes the systems we create for safety end up reinforcing control. Dear Colleague, We are taught to protect survivors, but protection can look a lot like power. When we take over a survivor’s safety plan, we may unintentionally mirror the dynamics they are trying to escape. Safety built on control, even benevolent control, can feel
What If Everything We Know About Survivor Safety Is Wrong Read More »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
Understanding manipulation tactics is key to helping survivors stay empowered and safe in their abusive relationship. Dear Colleague, Two concepts every survivor — and provider — needs to understand are gray rocking and bread crumbing. When survivors know what to expect, they can protect their energy, set stronger boundaries, and move forward more confidently. Helping
Gray Rocking and Bread Crumbing: Tools Survivors Need to Know Read More »
The true goal isn’t just surviving abuse — it’s building a life beyond it. Dear Colleague, When we support survivors, we aren’t just helping them leave an abusive relationship . We are helping them reconnect to themselves. And we are helping them break the cycle for good. By focusing on empowerment over rescue, we help
Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Survivors Toward Freedom Read More »
Healing from narcissistic abuse takes more than time. It takes clarity, safety, and support to rebuild trust and self-worth. Dear Colleague, Guiding survivors through the aftermath of narcissistic abuse means understanding the deep emotional and psychological toll it leaves behind. This form of relational trauma is often invisible to outsiders but profoundly disruptive to a
Navigating the Healing Journey After Narcissistic Abuse Read More »