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As I delved into writing my book, I rediscovered Eisler’s work along with her subsequent books that explore Partnership systems throughout all aspects of society. My soon to be published book Coercive Relationships: Find the Answers You Seek has a chapter that connects the insights of her work with intimate partner abuse.

The Burning Bowl ceremony is about releasing what no longer serves us. The White Stone ceremony is about welcoming something into your life that you want to grow toward or find..

Intimate partner abuse survivors have one or more of the following experiences with their own anger. Actually, all but the first one are common for others as well. This blog will explore each type before talking about anger as a superpower.

It’s Not Against the Law If you have experienced coercive control, you know the devastating effects. Those who feel entitled to use it...

Next steps are always scary. We don’t know what they will be like—not really—until we take them. Each of the paths listed above encompasses many steps. We can set off, but we cannot outline each step, each curve, each boulder along the way, and when we think we have to, it stops us from ever setting off.

I am opening a new chapter in my career. I will be sending in the manuscript for my book for survivors of intimate partner abuse within a couple of weeks. I began revising my web site to reflect that I only do intimate partner abuse work now. I am contemplating supervising a Master’s level student. I have two workshops to prepare for this fall. A lot is happening and it is all in the middle of a pandemic!

This post is about shifting our attitudes regarding the need to take a stand on domineering, coercive behavior. Beyond the justified anger and grief is a space for pride in the fact that we never give up on empowering ourselves.

We can all do our part by supporting protests of these injustices. That can take the shape of a march, but longer term work happens by joining organizations that work against intimate partner and racial injustice.

We often want to retaliate and give people a dose of what they’ve given us, but this does not maintain our power.

Intimate partner violence victims’ safety has always been linked to how communities work together to reduce IPV. Unfortunately, our society’s response to IPV often enables violence.

Being under a Safe at Home order is an oxymoron when it comes to IPV, since home is where you’re in danger.

Trauma symptoms can worsen when triggered by current stressors.

A member of the Women’s Voices group posed this question. Her family and friends either criticized what she was doing or went into fix-it mode whenever she confided in them. All she needed was to be listened to, empathized with, and encouraged. We had a discussion in group, and I promised to write a blog on the subject as well.

I counsel everyone who is embarking on something new to expect feeling fearful. It usually feels like jumping off a cliff. All the insecurities we have (and we all have them) jump out to convince us we can’t make it.

If we’re thinking of leaving the relationship, we often want to get through the holidays and put off any decisions we’re contemplating, especially when we have children. That means maintaining our mask—putting on a pretend face with family, friends, or others. I believe those who suffer from intimate abuse are the best ones to know the timing that is right for them. The last thing you need is second guessing from others who are concerned for you.

Consent is much discussed today, a very good thing. Learning that everyone has the right to determine sexual contact is healthier for...

At the foundation of violence against women are three basic building blocks: women have lesser value, women are property and the objectification of women.

"The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is not just an adult thing. It's common among teens. The Center for Disease Control indicates that 7...

June is LGBTQ Pride Month. The growing acceptance of all sexual preferences and acknowledgement that gender is not binary is something to...