Leaving was not just about heartbreak. It was about survival. Dear Survivor, A woman once told me that after she left, people treated it like a typical breakup. They asked if she was dating again. They encouraged her to get over it. What they did not see were the nightmares, the triggers, the way her […]
It Wasn’t Just a Breakup. It Was an Escape. Read More »
Healing does not mean forgetting. It means becoming someone new on purpose. Dear Colleague, Trauma shakes the ground beneath a survivor’s feet. It can fracture identity, warp trust, and turn the future into something that feels either blank or terrifying. But healing is not just about repairing damage. It can also be about discovering new
Beyond Survival: Supporting Post-Traumatic Growth in Survivors Read More »
Sometimes silence feels more threatening than chaos. Dear Survivor, One woman I worked with described how anxious she felt in her first healthy relationship. There were no raised voices, no sudden mood swings, no punishments for speaking her mind. On the outside, everything looked calm. But inside, she was panicked. Her body could not relax,
I Was Afraid of Peace Because I Thought It Meant Danger Read More »
Even when it feels like nothing is changing, survivors are doing deep, courageous work. Dear Colleague, It can be easy to get discouraged when survivors seem stuck. You offer safety, support, and space. Yet the client returns to the relationship, cancels sessions, or shares the same painful pattern week after week. That does not mean
Every Choice Counts: Micro-Moves That Make a Difference for Survivors Read More »
Missing someone who hurt you does not mean you’re broken. It means you’re human. Dear Survivor, A survivor once asked me, “Why do I still miss him? After everything he did, why do I still feel drawn to him?” That question lives inside so many survivors. And it’s often followed by shame. The answer, more
Why Do I Miss My Abusive Ex? Read More »
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 »
There is a quiet power in hearing yourself again after surviving what tried to silence you. Dear Survivor, Your voice is still yours. It may feel buried beneath doubt or fear, but it has never truly left you. I remember the first moment I heard mine clearly again. It happened during a small decision, one
Survivor Strength: Reclaiming Your Inner Voice Read More »
Healing doesn’t always move in a straight line. Dear Survivor, I thought leaving would be the hard part. I believed that once I got out, the pain would fade and peace would follow. I imagined progress would feel like clarity, like I had crossed a finish line. But instead, I found myself triggered by small
Survivor Strength: Healing Isn’t Linear and That’s Okay Read More »
Sometimes, the bravest thing a survivor can say is no more. Dear Survivor, There was a moment in my own journey when I whispered two words that would change everything: no more. I didn’t shout them. There was no dramatic scene. Just a quiet declaration made in the middle of an ordinary day that felt
Survivor Wisdom: The Power of No More Read More »
April 16, 2025 Some days feel impossibly heavy, but even on those days, small steps toward healing can ignite hope. Dear Survivor, Healing from domestic violence or relationship abuse is not linear. It’s a path filled with highs and lows, strength and vulnerability. On the hardest days, it might feel like you’re stuck in place,
Healing Starts Here: Affirmations and Support for Survivors Read More »