Freedom from Abuse: A Psychological Perspective on Healing One Day at a Time

Freedom from Abuse: A Psychological Perspective on Healing One Day at a Time By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate Freedom from abuse is not just the absence of harm—it’s the beginning of a journey back to yourself. It’s the quiet realization that you deserve peace, safety, and joy. But after leaving an abusive… Read More Freedom from Abuse: A Psychological Perspective on Healing One Day at a Time

Dog Whistling

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate In abusive relationships, dog whistling is a covert form of communication that allows the abuser to deliver a private insult, threat, or reminder of control in a public or semi-public space, often leaving the victim feeling deeply unsettled, humiliated, or re-traumatized—while bystanders remain completely unaware that anything harmful… Read More Dog Whistling

🔍 What Happens to You When You Lie Constantly?

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate 🧠 1. Neurologically: Your Brain Adapts… and Deteriorates ⚡ Amygdala Desensitization 🧩 Prefrontal Cortex Overload Eventually, the brain struggles to distinguish truth from fiction — leading to confusion, paranoia, and sometimes even delusional thinking. 🧠 2. Psychologically: Fragmentation of the Self Constant lying creates a false self. A persona. A mask. Behind… Read More 🔍 What Happens to You When You Lie Constantly?

🧠 Neurologically: The Brain Adapts to Lying — But Not Without Consequences

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate When someone lies repeatedly — especially to protect their own abusive behavior or manipulate how others perceive them — several parts of the brain are involved: 1. Amygdala Desensitization The amygdala is the part of the brain that triggers emotional responses like guilt, fear, or anxiety.Studies have shown… Read More 🧠 Neurologically: The Brain Adapts to Lying — But Not Without Consequences

Healing after physical, emotional, and financial abuse

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate Healing after physical, emotional, and financial abuse—particularly at the hands of someone manipulative or narcissistic—requires more than just “moving on.” It’s a deeply layered process that unfolds in stages, often nonlinear, often complex, but always transformative. From a psychological and trauma-informed perspective, here are the key stages of recovery and… Read More Healing after physical, emotional, and financial abuse

Coming Home to Harmony: A Choir, a Court Verdict, and a Healing Heart

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate After four weeks away, I walked back into choir not quite knowing what to expect. Life has a way of moving forward while we’re away, and I wasn’t sure if I’d return to smiles or silence. But the moment I stepped into the familiar space—the warm faces,… Read More Coming Home to Harmony: A Choir, a Court Verdict, and a Healing Heart

🕯️ They Lit a Candle for You: The Kindness That Carries Us

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate You’re walking through the street, maybe a little weary, maybe holding it all together with invisible thread…And someone you know — a friend, a neighbor, maybe even someone you hadn’t spoken to in a while — stops you. And they say something like: ✨ “I lit a candle… Read More 🕯️ They Lit a Candle for You: The Kindness That Carries Us

🌿 When Someone Really Sees You: The Power of Being Truly Heard and Felt

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate A psychological reflection on emotional attunement and why it heals There are people in this world who don’t just listen to your words — they hear your heart.They notice the pause in your sentence, the flicker in your eyes, the energy shift in the room when something feels off —… Read More 🌿 When Someone Really Sees You: The Power of Being Truly Heard and Felt

💔 When Love Was Really Just Convenience: A Psychological Look at One-Sided Relationships

— Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment Easter always brings reflection.For some, it’s about renewal. For others, it reveals a quiet grief — not just about lost time, but about the parts of ourselves we silenced for someone else’s comfort. I used to go to… Read More 💔 When Love Was Really Just Convenience: A Psychological Look at One-Sided Relationships

🌟 The Healing Power of a Genuine Smile and a Soft Gaze 🌟

🌟 The Healing Power of a Genuine Smile and a Soft Gaze 🌟Why feeling seen, safe, and smiled at is a balm for the nervous system By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate There are moments in life that don’t come with fireworks or fanfare, yet they leave an imprint so deep, it stays with us… Read More 🌟 The Healing Power of a Genuine Smile and a Soft Gaze 🌟