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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...

When you’ve been harmed by an intimate partner, you want them to be accountable for their behavior. You may spend a lot of time asking...

My last post, Domestic Terrorism, recognized the similarity between prisoner of war brainwashing and intimate partner psychological...

If you’ve had an intimate partner hurt you emotionally, physically, or sexually, you may not have thought of it as terrorism. But I bet...

“It’s unfortunate that we all have lived with abuse and that our society tolerates it. I would like to wish the pain away . . . but I...

Domestic abuse is more than a personal problem - it's a societal problem. Any abusive relationship has intensely personal effects, and...

Abuse is often invisible to outsiders; those who are aggressive may look like upstanding community members outside the family. Confiding...

I'm back! It's been a long time since I've blogged because I took time off to complete a book on controlling relationships. My tentative...

"A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he...

Poise is a state of balance. We can see this physically when we view poised people moving with grace and agility. If thrown off balance,...

I've been spending a lot of time with my 13 month old grandson lately. What a joy! Being with children can be a good way to slow you down...

Is she a bitch or a leader? Is he a wuss or a sensitive man? Both these questions help us become more aware of underlying biases and...