Why People Stay in Harmful Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonding, Intermittent Reinforcement, Confirmation Bias, the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Cognitive Dissonance

One of the most common questions people ask after leaving a harmful relationship is: “Why didn’t I leave sooner?” Friends and family often ask a similar question: “Why couldn’t they see what everyone else could see?” These questions have been studied for decades by psychologists and neuroscientists. The answer is rarely about weakness, lack of… Read More Why People Stay in Harmful Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonding, Intermittent Reinforcement, Confirmation Bias, the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Cognitive Dissonance

Why Early Treatment for Psychosis Matters: What Happens to the Brain?

Psychosis is a medical emergency, yet many people live with symptoms for months—or even years—before receiving treatment. This period is known as the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). Over the past several decades, researchers have found that the longer psychosis goes untreated, the more difficult recovery can become for many people. Early treatment does not guarantee… Read More Why Early Treatment for Psychosis Matters: What Happens to the Brain?

Marriage Guidance Is Not a Treatment for Abuse

One of the most damaging myths surrounding domestic abuse is the belief that marriage counselling can fix it. It can’t. Healthy relationships experience disagreements, communication problems, financial pressures and periods of emotional distance. Marriage counselling can often help couples work through these issues because both partners are willing to listen, take responsibility and work together. Abuse is… Read More Marriage Guidance Is Not a Treatment for Abuse

A Friendly Public Service Announcement from Karma…

Just a little reminder… Karma doesn’t send warning letters. She doesn’t book appointments. She doesn’t post on Facebook to let you know she’s on her way. She simply waits. So if you’re lying, cheating, manipulating, using people, playing mind games, or treating someone like they’re disposable… carry on if you must. Just remember, life has… Read More A Friendly Public Service Announcement from Karma…

“Double life” structures (compartmentalisation)

Professionals in policing, safeguarding, and forensic psychology look for patterns over time, not single events or impressions. They are essentially trying to separate image from behaviour. Here’s how they typically detect things like grooming patterns, coercive control, and “double life” structures: 1. Grooming patterns (behavioural sequencing) Grooming is not one action — it’s a process. Investigators look for repetition across… Read More “Double life” structures (compartmentalisation)