Some of the most profound shifts for survivors begin with giving themselves permission to choose their own response.
Dear Colleague,
Abusers often twist words, incite arguments, and create emotional traps designed to keep survivors entangled. Engaging in these conversations is often futile and draining. Teaching survivors the empowering skill of “Don’t Take The Bait” can be transformative.
“Don’t Take The Bait” is about helping survivors recognize that they have the right to disengage from manipulative interactions — mentally, emotionally, or verbally — when it is safe to do so. It is about permission: the permission to not respond, to not defend, and to not be pulled into the abuser’s cycle of control.
This skill is not about denial or passivity. It is about reclaiming their power to choose where they place their energy and attention. Importantly, we must honor that safety always comes first. In some situations, placating the abuser temporarily may be necessary for survival. Therapists can empower survivors to assess each moment carefully, knowing that strategic disengagement is not weakness — it is wisdom.
In your work with survivors, consider introducing “Don’t Take The Bait” as a small but mighty tool in their healing journey. Offer it with compassion, validation, and an understanding of the complex dynamics they navigate every day.
Resource for You and Your Clients: Join our Monthly Free Peer Support Group for Providers, a space for connection, insight, and renewal. 👉 Monthly Free Peer Support Group
With appreciation for all you do,
#SurvivorEmpowerment #ReclaimYourStrength #TraumaInformedCare #TherapistSupport #DVawareness