Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to an event or series of events that are distressing or disturbing, often exceeding an individual’s ability to cope. Traumatic experiences can be diverse and may include situations such as accidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, combat, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, leading to a range of symptoms and challenges.
When you say, “I need to get away somewhere different for a while,” it tells me that part of you is yearning for: A change of scenery doesn’t have to be permanent or dramatic. Sometimes even a few days by the sea, a weekend in a new town, or time in nature can recalibrate your… Read More The Need to Get Away
And the Silent Grief That Comes With Knowing Too Late, but Just in Time to Save Yourself For years, maybe even decades, you sensed something wasn’t right. The stories never quite added up.The charm felt performative.The criticisms cut too deep.The silences were louder than words.And deep down, your body knew. But the words didn’t come.The… Read More 🌫️ “Now It All Makes Sense”: How the Nervous System Responds When Lifelong Gaslighting Is Finally Revealed
There is a unique kind of heartbreak that comes not from being blindsided, but from having your deepest suspicions confirmed. You know the feeling — that uncomfortable churn in your stomach, that quiet voice whispering, “Something isn’t right here.” Years ago, I felt it. A comment about Thai girls in France. A cruel suggestion that I could… Read More 🌪 When the Truth Confirms the Trauma: A Psychological Reflection on Betrayal, Intuition, and Liberation 🌱
Deciding whether to warn your abuser’s new partner about past abuse, especially something as severe as strangulation, is a deeply personal and complex decision. It involves weighing your safety, emotional well-being, and the potential impact on the new partner. Here’s a comprehensive look at the considerations involved: Understanding the Risks Strangulation is one of the… Read More Warning
Strangulation is not just an act of violence — it is one of the clearest predictors of escalating abuse and potential homicide in domestic violence cases. Survivors often underestimate the seriousness of this form of assault, sometimes due to the absence of visible injuries. But make no mistake: strangulation is a form of power and… Read More Strangulation: When It’s Time to Leave — What Comes Next
For years, I poured everything I had into others — even when it depleted me.Even when it cost me my truth.Even when it broke my body and bruised my spirit. But not anymore. Now, I am my number one priority.Not from a place of selfishness — but from a place of survival, healing, and hard-won wisdom. 🧠… Read More 🌿 My Priorities Have Changed — I Am Finally My Own
When I first met him, I didn’t have the training I do now. I hadn’t studied trauma, emotional abuse, or nervous system dysregulation. I hadn’t yet learned how the cycle of abuse works—or how deeply psychological manipulation can entangle even the strongest, most intelligent people. So I did what many empathic people do:I tried to… Read More 🌿 “I Wasn’t a Therapist When I Met Him. Now I Understand Why That Matters.”
“He never screamed at the waitress. Never slammed doors at work. Never called his friends names or insulted them in front of others.But behind closed doors? He was someone else.And I used to wonder… Is it me? Is it my fault? Does he have anger issues?No. The truth is harder to face, but also liberating:It wasn’t… Read More “If They Can Control It in Public, It’s Not a Loss of Control — It’s a Choice”
Violence, whether born from intimate betrayal or state-sanctioned terror, leaves a mark not only on bodies but deep within the psyche. It fractures the world into before and after, into safe and unsafe, into known and unknown. Yet, in the wreckage left behind, healing is not only possible—it can also be transformative. The journey from… Read More Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
“He made a deal with his ex-wife—she wouldn’t speak about the abuse, and in return, he’d keep paying her support. At the time, I thought it was just a messy divorce. Now, I know it was strategic. He was hiding the truth—and I was the next target.” In abusive dynamics, silence is power. For the… Read More The Silence Deal: When Abusers Bury Their Past Through Coercive Agreements
Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Emotional Healing Specialist 