Self-Doubt: A Common Result of Experiencing Emotional Abuse

Abuse victims commonly experience intense periods of self-doubt, often questioning the reality of their feelings and experiences. A couple of tips can help when this happens.

Abuse victims commonly experience intense periods of self-doubt, often questioning the reality of their feelings and experiences. A couple of tips can help when this happens.

Signs of Intimate Partner Violence: Bruises, Marks, and Scars

Intimate partner violence has complex and toxic dynamics. The dehumanization of victims can include physical violence that leaves visible evidence of harm, pain, and disfigurement.

Intimate partner violence has complex and toxic dynamics. The dehumanization of victims can include physical violence that leaves visible evidence of harm, pain, and disfigurement.

Unique Factors for LGBTQ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic violence is not unique to straight relationships, but it might manifest differently in diverse relationships. Here are some ways it can be different in LGBTQ relationships

Domestic violence is not unique to straight relationships, but it might manifest differently in diverse relationships. Here are some ways it can be different in LGBTQ relationships

How False Memories Can Ensnare Us in a Cycle of Abuse

False memory manipulation is a tactic used to control abuse victims and foster dependence. Recognizing how memory functions is key to combatting influence and maintaining autonomy.

False memory manipulation is a tactic used to control abuse victims and foster dependence. Recognizing how memory functions is key to combatting influence and maintaining autonomy.

Coercive Control, Gaslighting, and Recovery

The term gaslighting refers to a pattern of manipulation and control in which an abuser successfully convinces their victim that they are insane. It has devastating consequences.

The term gaslighting refers to a pattern of manipulation and control in which an abuser successfully convinces their victim that they are insane. It has devastating consequences.

Without Her Knowledge

The horrific case of Gisèle Pelicot is one of such magnitude that it reveals the need to redefine the way we talk about and classify rape.

The horrific case of Gisèle Pelicot is one of such magnitude that it reveals the need to redefine the way we talk about and classify rape.

The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Relationships

Survivors of childhood abuse often normalize behaviors such as manipulation, control, or emotional volatility and may dismiss or excuse these red flags in adult relationships.

Survivors of childhood abuse often normalize behaviors such as manipulation, control, or emotional volatility and may dismiss or excuse these red flags in adult relationships.

Effects of Psychological Aggression in Couple Conflict

Psychological aggression is so common in couple relationships across diverse countries and cultures that partners commonly consider it an acceptable way of dealing with conflict.

Psychological aggression is so common in couple relationships across diverse countries and cultures that partners commonly consider it an acceptable way of dealing with conflict.

Lessons From the Murder of Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei

The murder of Rebecca Cheptegei exposes the chilling reality of intimate partner violence, its devastating effects, and the urgent need for action.

The murder of Rebecca Cheptegei exposes the chilling reality of intimate partner violence, its devastating effects, and the urgent need for action.

How Do Abuse Victims View Justice?

A conversation with trauma pioneer Dr. Judith L. Herman on how abuse victims view justice and how, rather than revenge, most want validation and acknowledgment of their abuse

A conversation with trauma pioneer Dr. Judith L. Herman on how abuse victims view justice and how, rather than revenge, most want validation and acknowledgment of their abuse

How Should I Dress for Court?

Psychology research shows that your clothes shape first impressions, and first impressions matter. Dressing appropriately for court will help you get your desired outcome.

Psychology research shows that your clothes shape first impressions, and first impressions matter. Dressing appropriately for court will help you get your desired outcome.

BBC Report Finds Social Workers Lack Training to Spot Abuse

Many social work graduate programs fall short in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in areas of coercive control and psychological abuse.

Many social work graduate programs fall short in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in areas of coercive control and psychological abuse.

Domestic Abuse Turns Lethal: TikTok Star Kills Wife and Friend

Famed TikToker JinnKid subjected his wife to multiple incidents of domestic violence before murdering her and a friend.

Famed TikToker JinnKid subjected his wife to multiple incidents of domestic violence before murdering her and a friend.

Caught in the Drama Triangle?

We are not characters in a play.

We are not characters in a play.

The Connection Between Neurodiversity and Relationship Abuse

Undiagnosed autistic girls are vulnerable to relationship abuse as adults. Why aren't they diagnosed? How are they vulnerable?

Undiagnosed autistic girls are vulnerable to relationship abuse as adults. Why aren't they diagnosed? How are they vulnerable?

Back to School With a Narcissistic Co-Parent

Narcissists often need control and have a lack of empathy. This can make co-parenting particularly difficult, especially during the beginning of a school year.

Narcissists often need control and have a lack of empathy. This can make co-parenting particularly difficult, especially during the beginning of a school year.

How the Meaning of Gaslighting Has Been Diluted

There are two core factors no one should lose sight of.

There are two core factors no one should lose sight of.

Would Lily in "It Ends With Us" Walk Away So Easily?

The film "It Ends With Us" portrays domestic violence, but it gets a few important things wrong. Here's a more true-to life rewrite.

The film "It Ends With Us" portrays domestic violence, but it gets a few important things wrong. Here's a more true-to life rewrite.

What “It Ends With Us” Gets Wrong

This film is an accurate portrayal of an abusive relationship in many ways, but we need to talk about the one thing it gets really wrong.

This film is an accurate portrayal of an abusive relationship in many ways, but we need to talk about the one thing it gets really wrong.

Living With an Intimate Terrorist: The Damage of Control

Even when coercive abuse isn’t doing damage physically, it is eroding self-esteem and mental health. It is important to seek healing from intimate terrorism.

Even when coercive abuse isn’t doing damage physically, it is eroding self-esteem and mental health. It is important to seek healing from intimate terrorism.

Giselle Salazar-Tapia's Violent Death in Disguise

Personal Perspective: What Giselle Salazar-Tapia's story could tell us about intimate partner violence and staged suicides.

Personal Perspective: What Giselle Salazar-Tapia's story could tell us about intimate partner violence and staged suicides.

How Abusers Control Partners by Watching and Wearing Them Down

How do domestic abusers control their intimate partners? There are specific psychological tactics they use to punish and wear down another.

How do domestic abusers control their intimate partners? There are specific psychological tactics they use to punish and wear down another.

The Difference Between Toxic and Abusive Relationships

While all abusive relationships are toxic, not all toxic relationships are abusive. But there are some other differences that you should consider before labeling.

While all abusive relationships are toxic, not all toxic relationships are abusive. But there are some other differences that you should consider before labeling.

Abuse and the Control of Executive Function

Punishment is the least effective means of education. It increases fear, hostility, helplessness, stress, and violence—none of which enhance learning. Let's make better choices.

Punishment is the least effective means of education. It increases fear, hostility, helplessness, stress, and violence—none of which enhance learning. Let's make better choices.

Intimate Terrorism and the Pattern of Coercive Control

Domestic violence includes various patterns and types. Coercive violence is sometimes called intimate terrorism because of the fear and control it produces.

Domestic violence includes various patterns and types. Coercive violence is sometimes called intimate terrorism because of the fear and control it produces.

Should We Really See Jealousy as a Sign of Love?

What victims and sufferers of morbid jealousy experience.

What victims and sufferers of morbid jealousy experience.

Reconsidering How We Talk About Suicide

Suicide is a war waged against oneself. There are no winners.

Suicide is a war waged against oneself. There are no winners.

Behind the Mask: When Success and Power Protect Abusers

As societal attitudes often prioritize the protection of powerful abusers over the validation of their victims, many survivors are retraumatized.

As societal attitudes often prioritize the protection of powerful abusers over the validation of their victims, many survivors are retraumatized.

Reunification Therapy for Children With a Domestic Abuser?

Should therapy be used to hasten contact between children and an abusive parent?

Should therapy be used to hasten contact between children and an abusive parent?

Income Influences Level of Protection From Domestic Violence

The cycle of domestic violence is upheld by systemic inequalities that benefit those in positions of privilege and authority, leaving poor victims with few, if any, supports.

The cycle of domestic violence is upheld by systemic inequalities that benefit those in positions of privilege and authority, leaving poor victims with few, if any, supports.