Some trauma needs more space to breathe before it can fully heal. Dear Survivor, A survivor I once worked with, who we’ll call Maya, had done years of weekly therapy. She was insightful, committed, and brave, but there was still a heavy weight that clung to her spirit. She told me, “I understand my trauma. […]
Why I Recommend EMDR Therapy Intensives to Survivors Read More »
You don’t have to be sure of everything to take your next step. You just have to trust yourself enough to try. Dear Survivor, One of the most painful effects of narcissistic abuse is how it breaks your trust in your own perception. You begin to question your memory, your instincts, even your feelings. You’re
From Confusion to Clarity: Rebuilding Trust in Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse Read More »
When love starts to hurt more than it heals, it’s time to take a closer look. Dear Survivor, Emotional abuse can be difficult to recognize, especially when it’s wrapped in affection, apologies, or promises to change. Unlike physical violence, emotional abuse wears a disguise. It slowly chips away at your self-worth, your confidence, and your
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 »
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 »
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
The ties that hurt the most are often the hardest to break. Dear Survivor, You may have left the relationship, but something keeps pulling you back, a longing, a guilt, a whisper of “maybe it wasn’t that bad.” If you’ve ever felt stuck in an emotional loop with someone who caused you harm, it’s worth
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m the crazy one,” you’re not alone. Dear Survivor, Survivor after survivor asks me the same question in different words: “Am I remembering it wrong?” “Am I overreacting?” “Am I crazy?” They’re not asking because they are confused people. They’re asking because they’ve been made to doubt their own mind.
When They Rewrite Reality: Understanding Gaslighting Read More »