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.
This blog is the beginning of a seven-part series regarding therapeutic basics that I found addressed survivors’ concerns and encouraged post-traumatic growth. Each of my next six blogs will go into more depth. I think you will find they help you to empower yourself.
Recovery together or apart requires accountability, ability to look at one’s self, a willingness to let go and forgive if staying together, or a willingness to rebuild trust in yourself and others if the relationship doesn’t continue.
Writing is a way to know ourselves. It eases us through unsettling times. A bonus: robust self-awareness provides guardrails against accepting coercive control.
There is a simple tool that helps many trauma survivors; simple but not always easy. So, ahead of time, give yourself wells of permission and patience.
Grief is always a normal and important part of healing for intimate partner abuse survivors.
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