If someone asked you to explain what a trauma bond is, would you be able to provide an example? Have you ever experienced a trauma bond? It happened to me many years ago and I will never forget its impact.

As I’ve been interviewing guests for my new podcast, Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Abuse, several have mentioned the term “covert narcissist.” I’ve experienced narcissistic behavior before, but it made me wonder—what’s the difference between a narcissist and a covert one? The word “narcissist” has become more familiar in recent years as research sheds light on this complex personality disorder.

You’ve finally moved on. You’ve done the hard work to heal, let go, and step into your power—only to receive a random “Hey stranger” text from the person who caused the most confusion in your life. You freeze. You wonder: Should I respond? What does this mean?

Have you ever met someone, maybe through a friend or a dating app, and wondered if they were really interested in you?  Perhaps you start texting each other and meet up a few times for coffee or dinner.

My last article dealt with the increase in abuse cases during the holiday season. There are several reasons, but the fact remains that this is a sad reality for some. For those lucky enough not to have experienced abuse (and, yes, you are very fortunate), the question becomes, how would you really recognize it at family gatherings or holiday parties. Here’s the top five ways people experience gaslighting and domestic abuse, with examples to illustrate each type.

The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, celebration, and connection. It’s a season of twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and cherished memories with loved ones. But behind the cheerful façade, there’s a hidden reality that too often goes unnoticed: for many, the holidays are a time of fear and isolation.

Fans of TLC’s “Sister Wives” are getting a deeper look into the unraveling of Kody’s polygamous relationships, with three of his four wives now having separated from him. As with many relationship breakups, the blame game has taken center stage, making it even more challenging when children are involved.

As most of us already know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  This is the time when some light is shed on this very dark topic in an effort to bring awareness and education to stop the abuse.  Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can occur within a range of relationships including married couples, cohabiting couples, or dating couples, and can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, economic standing, or sexual orientation.

In the complex world of relationships, both personal and professional, certain negative behaviors can arise that are important to recognize. Two such behaviors are "gaslighting" and "ghosting," each distinct in its nature but equally damaging. Understanding these terms and how they work can help us identify and protect ourselves from these toxic dynamics.

Have you noticed when scrolling social media that the words “gaslighting” and “narcissism” seem to constantly appear?  Or perhaps listen to the news, particularly political news, and we hear or see gaslighting and narcissism in action.  So then what exactly is narcissism, and can it be prevented?

Having been subjected to gaslighting myself where I have written two books on the subject, I wondered if someone could be gaslighted unintentionally.  The answer is “yes”.  So, if the answer is “yes”, how and when can gaslighting be unintentional?  Let’s look at what this is.  Unintentional gaslighting often arises when individuals, without malicious intent, invalidate or dismiss another's feelings or experiences due to their own biases, misunderstandings, or lack of awareness. It can occur in various settings, including personal relationships, workplaces, or social interactions. Here are a few examples:

Almost 30 years ago, I found myself waking up in a psych ward realizing that I survived a suicide attempt.  The doctor came in and simply said, “Your environment is making you sick.”  That statement got my wheels in motion.  Laying in that room I reflected on the past seventeen years and what led me to attempt suicide.  I came to the heartbreaking conclusion I was not happy in my marriage and realized that I was constantly walking on eggshells.  Nothing I said or did was ever good enough.  I was always to blame for the slightest infraction and, quite simply, I wasn’t treated well.  In those days, they referred to this as verbal abuse.  Now they coin this gaslighting.

Breaking free from an abusive relationship marks the courageous initiation of a journey toward self-discovery and healing. It's a profound decision that demands resilience, strength, and a commitment to rebuilding one's life. The path to recovery may be challenging, but it is undoubtedly transformative.

As we head into a new year, I wanted to take a minute and talk about self-esteem and spotting signs when your relationship might need a tune-up. Let's break it down with five must-know signs to keep your self-esteem soaring!

The holiday season is difficult for many people, especially for victims of domestic violence. Here are some reasons the holidays are especially hard for victims of domestic abuse:

In a world where silence often shrouds the painful experiences of abuse, finding the strength to open up and share your story can be a powerful step towards healing. The journey of recovery is unique for each survivor, but one common thread that binds many is the transformative power of breaking the silence. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of opening up about your experience of abuse, the challenges involved, and the healing that can arise from sharing your story.

As you may already know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In my effort to continually educate on the red flags and subtleties of abuse, especially gaslighting, I wanted to point out five common misconceptions.

The real reasons why narcissists engage in gaslighting behavior are complex and may vary from one individual to another. However, some common underlying motivations for gaslighting by narcissists include:

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that can have profound and lasting effects on a person's mental and emotional well-being. This insidious behavior can occur in various settings, including relationships, workplaces, and even among friends and family. In this blog, we will delve into the effects of being gaslighted, shedding light on the damage it can inflict and offering guidance on how to heal.

Leaving a domestic abusive situation can be a difficult and complex process. Here are some steps that may be helpful: