REPAIRING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL BOUNDARIES

Repairing physical and emotional boundaries is the fifth in my empowerment series that began with How to Empower Yourself. This step begins with believing you have the right to set limits.

PARTNERS’ DOMINATION BELIEFS LEAD TO 1) Abuse 2) Submission

Looking at the assumptions that underlie coercive control helps explain why your partner behaves abusively. Sometimes they admit these beliefs, but mostly it’s their behavior that shows you what they believe.

CALLING OUT ABUSE TO HEAL CONFUSION, SHAME, AND SADNESS

Calling out abuse means naming what happened” as abuse, coercive control, gaslighting, intimate partner violence, domestic abuse—whatever term feels right to you. It includes acknowledging that the person you love is willing to harm you. This will hurt! However, it’s the beginning step toward freedom.

FACING LOSS WITH RESILIENCE

Dr. Boss reveals that resilience is especially important when there are no immediate solutions. This is often what intimate partner abuse survivors face: no immediate solution. Sometimes, coercive behavior continues even after leaving. Dr. Boss prescribes adaptability, flexibility, and tolerance for ambiguity. What do these mean for victims of intimate abuse?

GUIDANCE FOR INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE THERAPY

Intimate partner abuse victims often search for therapists who help them recover from the emotional injuries they experience. The purpose of this blog is to guide both prospective clients and therapists toward treatment success.

THE EARLY SIGNS OF COERCIVE RELATIONSHIPS

The answers to these questions offer clues as to whether coercive relationships will develop. Proceed with caution and talk about it if you don’t like what you see.