Divorce is never easy, and that is especially true for intimate partner abuse survivors. My last blog, Considering Divorce, was a walk-through of the process. During my interview with Holly Slota, attorney at Pines Bach LLP in Madison WI, I asked what issues make it more difficult for survivors. This blog combines her responses with guidance on how to handle each issue.

Survivors, as well as those who work with them, will find my interview with Attorney Holly Slota from Pines Bach LLP in Madison, Wisconsin, informative. Those who contemplate leaving often feel fear about the unknown legal system, making an already complicated decision more difficult. Abusers often tell their partners information that is inaccurate because they want to manipulate or frighten them.

One of the most significant emotional injuries from intimate partner abuse is loss of self-esteem.

My guest blogger is Caron Kipping, a Divorce and Separation Coach in Great Britain and the author of "Recognition to Recovery."

Allies are the first pearl in the necklace of insight, hope, and healing. Victims know the difference between an ally and someone who has an agenda.

The term “victim” does not identify who anyone is, nor does it reflect on their worth. It denotes what happened to them.

Acknowledging what we don’t know represents strength when we use our curiosity and “inner scientist” to learn about it

I structured my book, Coercive Relationships: Find the Answers You Seek, around issues and questions I frequently hear from survivors and often from those who work with them.

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..