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 »
Understanding Gaslighting Recovery for Survivors The most radical thing we can do is believe them. Dear Colleague, Gaslighting is not just deception. It is distortion. It erodes a survivor’s trust in their own memory, emotions, and instincts. Over time, this tactic chips away at their ability to name harm, speak up, or even trust their
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Self-doubt does not always come from within, sometimes it is taught. Dear Survivor, One of the most painful truths survivors share with me is this: “I don’t know how to trust myself anymore.” That feeling does not come out of nowhere. It is built, crafted, piece by piece, through patterns of gaslighting and manipulation. When
How Gaslighting Stole My Voice Read More »
One of the most devastating effects of abuse is when a survivor begins to doubt their own mind. Dear Survivor, My friend Joanna once sat across from me and said something I’ll never forget. “You know,” she whispered, “I thought I was crazy, but it was just gaslighting.” She shared story after story of how
I Thought I Was Crazy But It Was the Gaslighting 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 »
Minimizing your pain doesn’t make you stronger — it only makes healing harder. Dear Survivor, How many times did you tell yourself, “It wasn’t that bad”? Maybe you stayed because you thought others had it worse. Maybe you believed love meant forgiving everything. Maybe your abusive partner convinced you that the harm wasn’t real. Gaslighting
The Myth of “It Wasn’t That Bad.” Read More »
Your intuition often sees the truth long before your mind can explain it. Dear Survivor, In every abusive relationship, there are warning signs — little moments that make your heart race, your stomach tighten, your spirit shrink. Maybe it was the way they mocked your dreams, isolated you from loved ones, or twisted every argument
Red Flags Aren’t Red for No Reason Read More »
Not all abuse leaves bruises. Some of the deepest wounds are emotional—and they’re often hidden in plain sight. Dear Colleague, Recognizing the signs of emotional abuse is essential when working with survivors of domestic violence and relationship trauma. Unlike physical violence, emotional abuse often leaves no visible marks, but its impact can be just as
Signs of Emotional Abuse Providers Must Recognize Read More »
If you’ve experienced domestic violence or relationship abuse, it can be hard to make sense of what you’re going through. You might feel confused, overwhelmed, or question your own reality. These feelings are common—but they don’t change the fact that what’s happening (or has happened) to you is not your fault. Here are 3 simple
3 Simple Truths Every Survivor Deserves to Hear Read More »
Gaslighting is more than manipulation; it’s a calculated tool of control that leaves survivors doubting their own reality. Dear Colleague, When working with survivors of narcissistic abuse, we often encounter the devastating effects of gaslighting. This insidious form of emotional abuse strips individuals of their self-trust, leaving them in a haze of confusion and shame.
The Role of Gaslighting in Narcissistic Abuse: Identifying and Addressing Its Impact Read More »