Survivors of partner abuse often benefit from seeking professional assistance. However, they often hesitate because they hope their partners will change or due to their partner's not to talk. This article identifies two categories of service providers, explains their roles, and encourages discerning whether they have knowledge about abusive partners. It ends with a preview of the final article in this series. It builds on When Survivors Face Unsupportive Reactions from Fa

My guest today is Vanessa Salvatore, a practitioner in integrative body psychotherapy and writer from Quebec, Canada, currently working on her debut memoir. After connecting on LinkedIn, we decided to highlight her experience and interest in empowering survivors as a fitting ending to the “Reclaim Your Voice” series. Vanessa's story provides both hope to survivors who experience coercive control and information for therapists who serve them. Note: Everyone’s situation is diff

The first article in my Reclaiming Your Voice series focused on external barriers survivors encounter when they reach out for help. The second examined how abuse creates internal barriers that interfere with healing. This third article focuses on what to expect with therapy to avoid common pitfalls, such as thinking you aren't doing therapy "right." Understanding how healing unfolds helps set appropriate expectations. Healing Ups and Downs Everyone’s healing journey is de

In my previous article, Reclaiming Your Voice After Partner Abuse, I focused on the external barriers survivors often encounter when seeking support—misunderstanding, judgment, fear, and well-intended but unhelpful responses. Part two of this series turns inward to explore the internal barriers abuse creates: fear of escalation, hope for change, self-doubt, confusion, self-blame, and fear of making the wrong choices. These barriers are not signs of weakness or indecision; the