Understanding the Beliefs Behind Abuse Understanding someone's behavior begins with understanding what they believe.— Inspired by Gavin de Becker, The Gift of Fear You begin to answer why your partner dominates you when you recognize what they believe. Realizing that your partner thinks it is acceptable to harm, control, or dominate you contradicts everything most of us expect from a loving relationship. Give yourself permission to grieve this. This is the final article in a

Couples therapy is not appropriate when one partner abuses the other. This general rule applies until the abuser holds themselves accountable, has completed an abuser treatment program, and the therapist and the victim consider it safe. Why? Couples therapy is not effective because of the imbalance of power between the two individuals. That imbalance results in one or more of these issues: A victim who discloses is punished outside of the therapy room. Abuse disempowers and

This article provides information for therapists and survivors that explains when clients do not recognize abuse. It serves as reassurance for survivors that their earlier lack of recognition is common and not something to feel guilty about. Love relationships are the hardest place to identify abuse. Victims of abuse often attend therapy for other issues, cloaked in confusion. Clients do not recognize abuse for many different reasons: Growing up in an abusive home Blamin

Recognizing narcissistic behavior in partners often happens after years of confusion and harm. While labeling their behavior won’t change it, identifying it empowers you to know it's not your problem. This article indicates ways you can effect change in your life and those you love. Narcissistic Personality Disorder The Oxford dictionary defines narcissism as “selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration, as characterizing a p