There is a moment in recovery that you may never have imagined. You meet someone new. And you realise you’re not afraid. Not afraid of saying the wrong thing. Not afraid that a simple disagreement will become an argument. Not afraid to say no. Not afraid to express an opinion. Not afraid to ask for… Read More You Know You Have Moved On When Love No Longer Feels Frightening
“He’ll be different with someone else.” It is something survivors are sometimes told. Perhaps the relationship has ended. Perhaps he has moved on. Perhaps there is already another woman in his life. And you may find yourself wondering: Will he treat her better? Was I the problem? Why couldn’t he behave like that with me?… Read More The Next Victim: When Abusive Behaviour Follows the Person
Sometimes the thing you least expect after leaving is discovering that the person you left hasn’t gone anywhere. You may have imagined that once the relationship ended, they would move away. Perhaps they had talked about leaving for years. Perhaps family members told you that they would move to another country. Perhaps they repeatedly said… Read More When They Don’t Leave: Finding Peace When Someone You Left Stays Nearby
There comes a point in healing when you realise you no longer have to explain what happened. For years, you may have lived with behaviour that other people didn’t fully see. They may have witnessed the meanness, the criticism, the control, the financial restrictions, the humiliation or the way you were spoken to. They may… Read More When People Finally See the Truth
Taking control of your life is empowering yet challenging after experiencing various forms of control. It can lead to self-doubt and anxiety, prompting questions about identity and trust. Therapy offers a supportive space to rebuild confidence, establish healthy boundaries, and rediscover your voice. Embrace your journey toward freedom.… Read More You Don’t Have to Rebuild Your Life Alone
Taking back your life from control involves small, impactful decisions rather than a dramatic transformation. Key steps include recognizing what was taken, reclaiming personal choices, rebuilding support networks, achieving financial independence, and fostering self-confidence. It’s essential to create boundaries, allow for grief, and embrace a future free from past constraints.… Read More Taking Back Your Life: From Control to Freedom
Everyone has the fundamental right to make choices about their own lives, including where to live, who to see, and how to manage finances. In abusive relationships, these freedoms are often taken away, leading to control and isolation. Reclaiming autonomy is crucial for healing, emphasizing that individuals must assert their right to choose freely.… Read More Your Right to Choose Your Own Life
Recovery from abuse involves reclaiming control over one’s life, finances, and emotions. It signifies the moment when one realizes they are no longer bound by another’s manipulation or fear. True freedom lies in establishing boundaries, trusting oneself, and recognizing that peace is innate, independent of past trauma. Healing fosters autonomy and personal growth.… Read More When You Finally Reach a Place of Peace Where No One Can Control You Anymore
When a person is prepared to physically injure you to stop you from seeing the truth, this is not anger.
This is not emotional reactivity.… Read More This Wasn’t Love, It Was Captivity: Understanding Coercive Control
Understanding How Control Progresses Into Danger
Coercive control rarely begins with overt violence. It follows predictable psychological and behavioural stages, escalating gradually as dominance increases and resistance threatens the controller’s power.… Read More Recognising Coercive Control: From Subtle Control to Lethal Risk
