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.
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
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate In a world that often idolizes fame and success, it’s easy to forget that public figures—those we admire on stage, on screen, or in the media—are still human beings, carrying their own private battles behind closed doors. Abuse doesn’t discriminate. It can seep into any life, regardless… Read More 🌟 Behind the Spotlight: Famous Lives Silently Lost to Abuse
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate 🧠 1. Neurologically: Your Brain Adapts… and Deteriorates ⚡ Amygdala Desensitization The amygdala triggers emotional responses like guilt, fear, or moral discomfort when we lie. Over time, repeated lying dulls the amygdala’s response — the liar feels less guilt, less fear, less empathy. This creates a kind of emotional numbing that makes lying easier… Read More 🔍 What Happens to You When You Lie Constantly?
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate Psychology | Trauma | The Mask of False Identity At first, lying might feel like protection.A way to avoid consequences.A way to hide shame.A way to control the narrative and preserve the image. But the truth is:Every lie builds a wall.Every deception adds a bar to the… Read More 🔒 Pathological Lying: Building the Bars of Your Own Emotional Prison 🔒
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
Recovery after abuse is not just an emotional or psychological process; it’s deeply physical and somatic. The body stores trauma, and we must tend to the body just as much as the mind. Healing is about reclaiming your nervous system, your agency, your joy — and yes, even your sensuality and aliveness. Below is a warm, holistic guide… Read More Rewire the nervous system, calm hypervigilance
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
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate It’s one of the hardest truths to face: That the person we love—or once loved—is hurting us. Not by accident. Not in passing. But deeply, consistently, and often—intentionally. And yet, for many survivors of emotionally abusive relationships or trauma bonds, this truth remains buried for years, even… Read More 🧠💔 The Terrifying Truth: Why It Feels So Dangerous to Admit That Someone We Love Is Hurting Us
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate Self-deception is often misunderstood as weakness or denial. But in truth, it’s a brilliant survival strategy. When reality feels too painful, overwhelming, or threatening, the human psyche finds ways to soften the blow. It tells stories that help us cope—even if those stories are half-truths, distortions, or outright lies.… Read More 🧠💔 The Psychology of Self-Deception: Why We Lie to Ourselves to Survive—and What It Costs Us
By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate The “good girl/boy” mask The “strong and unbothered” mask The “caretaker” or “people-pleaser” maskTaking it off feels like stepping into the unknown—and the brain hates uncertainty. The amygdala (your fear center) lights up, scanning for danger. It’s not that authenticity is dangerous, it’s just unfamiliar. Fear of Rejection Is HardwiredHumans… Read More 🧠✨ Why Removing the Mask Feels So Scary (Psychology & Neuroscience)
