April 14, 2025
If you’re anything like me, you start with research. Before exploring deep therapeutic work, I wanted to understand what I was going through. I read anything I could get my hands on, desperate to make sense of my experience. Books became my lifeline. I’d identify, highlight, and reread parts I needed to absorb fully. But one thing was missing.
I was searching for a resource tailored to what I’d been through, something that truly captured the nuances of abusive relationships and the complex process of healing. After years of searching for the right workbook, I finally decided to create it myself.
This wasn’t just a professional endeavor; it was deeply personal. I spent years struggling to even name what had happened to me. I couldn’t see the full picture until long after walking away, and even then, I stayed in the wrong relationship far too long, unaware of the damage it was causing.
If I’d had this information earlier, I could have saved myself years of pain. That thought fueled me as I created this workbook. I wanted to give survivors a resource that would empower them to name their experience, find clarity, and unlock the strength they already have inside them.
Since its creation, I’ve had the honor of sharing this workbook with many of my clients. Watching them recognize their strength, connect the dots, and begin to thrive in ways they never thought possible has been one of the most rewarding parts of this process.
Introducing the Workbook
The workbook I created was born out of necessity. It was designed specifically for survivors of relationship abuse, addressing the questions, doubts, and challenges many of us face on the healing path.
What makes this workbook unique is its balance of education, reflection, and action. It not only provides clarity on the different forms of abuse but also helps readers process their own experiences in a safe, constructive way. Each page was crafted with care, offering survivors the tools to rebuild their self-worth, practice self-compassion, and begin to set firm boundaries.
This workbook is more than just a resource. It’s a guide and a companion, walking you step by step through the challenging but empowering road to recovery.
Resources to Support You
Healing is a multifaceted process, and having the right tools can make all the difference. That’s why I also want to share the books I’ve found incredibly helpful, both personally and professionally. Each one offers unique insights into healing, relationships, and reclaiming your life.
- Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend A guide to understanding and setting boundaries, crucial for reclaiming your power and protecting your well-being.
- The Book of No by Susan Newman Learn how to say no and honor what’s right for you without guilt or hesitation.
- Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson A revealing book that sheds light on patterns of emotionally unavailable parenting and how they impact adult relationships.
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk A profound resource on how trauma is stored in the body and strategies for healing at a deeper, physical level.
- Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft A compassionate look into the mindset of abusive individuals, perfect for understanding the dynamics of abuse.
- Codependent No More by Melody Beattie A classic for breaking free from codependent patterns and recognizing your own needs and worth.
- Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw An essential read for recognizing and addressing the toxic shame that holds so many of us back.
Alongside these books, I’m thrilled to offer my Types of Abuse Worksheet as a free resource. It’s designed to help you recognize the subtle and overt ways abuse shows up in relationships. Pulling back that curtain is an important step in protecting yourself and beginning the process of healing.
Take the Next Step
Wherever you are in your healing process, remember this: you are not alone, and the strength you need is already inside you. Whether you start by exploring the workbook I created, downloading the free Types of Abuse Worksheet, or diving into one of these incredible books, you’re taking a powerful step toward reclaiming your life.
Your healing matters. Your growth matters. And you are so much stronger than you may realize. Take it one step at a time, and know that these tools and resources were made with you in mind.
You’ve got this. And when you’re ready, the next step is waiting for you.
Healing and Blessings!