Category: ABUSE, VIOLENCE & DISCLOSURE

When Someone Has a History of Violence: Disclosure, Accountability and Safety

Behind Closed Doors: Recognising the Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse and Hidden Offending

The respectable identity an adult presents to society does not necessarily reveal their private behaviour. Understanding grooming, boundary violations, secrecy and patterns of inappropriate conduct can help protect children before abuse escalates. One of the most difficult aspects of child sexual abuse is that perpetrators do not necessarily look, behave or present themselves in ways… Read More Behind Closed Doors: Recognising the Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse and Hidden Offending

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Sexual and Emotional Withholding as Punishment

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner © 2025 Linda Carol Turner. Content protected by copyright.
Reproduction or redistribution in any form requires prior written permission from the author.
When quoting or referencing, please cite: Linda Carol Turner, Psychology & Neuroscience Insights.

When affection, intimacy and physical closeness become instruments of power, rejection and control in a relationship. Introduction: When affection becomes conditional Intimacy is an important part of many relationships. It can provide reassurance, connection, pleasure, comfort and a sense of being wanted. But what happens when affection disappears whenever one partner disagrees, challenges the other,… Read More Sexual and Emotional Withholding as Punishment

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Shame, Humiliation and the Psychology of Retaliation

The article explains how shame, humiliation, rejection and threatened self-esteem can contribute to anger, blame, retaliation and coercive control, while stressing that these reactions do not establish a diagnosis or justify harm. It distinguishes accountability from retaliation, highlights post-separation abuse and boundary erosion, and emphasizes survivors’ right to safety, autonomy and independence.… Read More Shame, Humiliation and the Psychology of Retaliation

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Remorse, Guilt, Shame and Humiliation: The Psychology of Accountability, Anger and Losing Control

The text distinguishes remorse and guilt, which focus on harm and responsibility, from shame and humiliation, which threaten identity or status and may provoke defensiveness, blame, or retaliation. In coercive relationships, losing control can be mistaken for losing love. Understanding psychology should never excuse abuse; safety, boundaries, accountability, and sustained change remain essential.… Read More Remorse, Guilt, Shame and Humiliation: The Psychology of Accountability, Anger and Losing Control

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Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): How it affects relationships and whether people feel emotions

People with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) can feel emotions. They are not necessarily emotionless, incapable of attachment or unable to experience love. However, they may experience, process and respond to emotions differently from people without the disorder. One of the most important distinctions is between feeling an emotion and having the capacity to understand, respect and respond… Read More Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): How it affects relationships and whether people feel emotions

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When Someone Cannot Accept That You Have Moved On: Revenge, Resentment and the Psychology of Losing Control

A woman walks through a dim tiled passage while a hooded man stands nearby

The article explores post-separation abuse, highlighting how controlling behaviors can persist even after a relationship ends. It discusses psychological mechanisms behind vindictiveness and stalking, emphasizing that emotional pain does not justify abusive actions. It stresses the importance of personal autonomy and safety, urging victims to seek support and document incidents for protection.… Read More When Someone Cannot Accept That You Have Moved On: Revenge, Resentment and the Psychology of Losing Control

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The Difference Between Being Triggered and Being Abused: Recognising Vindictiveness, Retaliation and Revenge

Man dismantling framed certificates beside a defaced group photograph

The article discusses the distinction between emotional triggering and vindictive behavior in relationships. It emphasizes that emotional reactions stem from unresolved trauma, while vindictiveness involves deliberate attempts to punish or harm others. The content highlights the importance of recognizing these behaviors to foster understanding and accountability, advocating for healthy relationship dynamics.… Read More The Difference Between Being Triggered and Being Abused: Recognising Vindictiveness, Retaliation and Revenge

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Three Relationship Patterns That Are Often Confused: Mutual Trauma Activation, Anxious–Avoidant Attachment and Abuse & Coercive Control

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner

Understanding why two people repeatedly hurt each other, why some couples become trapped in pursue-and-withdraw cycles, and why abusive relationships must never be mistaken for ordinary relationship difficulties. One of the most important distinctions in relationship psychology is understanding that not every destructive relationship operates in the same way. Two people can argue constantly, trigger… Read More Three Relationship Patterns That Are Often Confused: Mutual Trauma Activation, Anxious–Avoidant Attachment and Abuse & Coercive Control

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When Two People Are Trauma Bonded: Why They Keep Hurting Each Other, Separating and Coming Back Together

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner © 2025 Linda Carol Turner. Content protected by copyright.
Reproduction or redistribution in any form requires prior written permission from the author.
When quoting or referencing, please cite: Linda Carol Turner, Psychology & Neuroscience Insights.

The article explores the complexities of emotionally dependent relationships marked by unresolved attachment wounds and recurring distress. It outlines the cycle of pain, separation, and temporary reconciliation experienced by two individuals unable to break free. The narrative emphasizes the distinction between intense attachment and healthy love, advocating for personal accountability and emotional regulation for potential recovery.… Read More When Two People Are Trauma Bonded: Why They Keep Hurting Each Other, Separating and Coming Back Together

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Trauma Bonding: Why You Keep Going Back to the Person Who Keeps Hurting You – And How to Break the Cycle

A man comforts a crying woman seated in a living room

The text explores the complexities of trauma bonding in unhealthy relationships, explaining how psychological and neurobiological mechanisms can keep individuals returning despite knowing the harm. It emphasizes understanding these patterns, the impact on mental health, and the importance of establishing boundaries to break the cycle, highlighting recovery’s non-linear nature.… Read More Trauma Bonding: Why You Keep Going Back to the Person Who Keeps Hurting You – And How to Break the Cycle

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