An effective shame-reduction program. As I have shared in my previous posts, I believe that shame is the most damaging aspect of emotional abuse, so much so that I designed a shame reduction program for emotional abuse victims. This proprietary program has been highly successful with my clients. It features six major avenues for reducing or eliminating the shame of emotional abuse. They are: Emotional abuse de-programming. Like members of a...

Heal your shame in order to end an emotionally abusive relationship. Emotional abuse and shame go hand in hand—a perfect marriage, so to speak. Shame is a significant factor in emotional abuse since it is the primary damage caused by emotional abuse. It is also the primary tool used by abusers and the source of emotionally abusive behavior in abusers. Coming to identify how shame is affecting you and understanding how shame works to diminish...

Three important steps to help you stay strong when you are tempted. KEY POINTS It is normal to consider going back to an emotional abuser, but following three steps could help you gain clarity and courage. The steps include asking yourself if you are considering going back out of fear, and noticing how you have felt since ending the relationship. Another important step is remembering how you felt during the relationship. Those who are finally...

Stefano Lunardi Source: 123RF Stock Photo 7 signs that it’s critical to end your relationship for your health and safety. KEY POINTS People often avoid confronting the consequences of an emotionally abusive relationship. Signs that it is critical to end the relationship include physical abuse, abuse toward children, and fantasizing about harming a partner. Individual therapy can help people emotionally and logistically prepare to leave...

After escaping an emotionally abusive relationship, shame needs to be healed. For victims of emotional abuse, shame causes damage to their perceptions of themselves, ongoing disgust and humiliation, and self-criticism for putting up with the abuse. Working to reduce shame is an important part of the healing process. Changing one’s posture, such as sitting up straighter and expanding one’s chest, can help eliminate shame and make...

Here’s how to know if a friend or family member could be a victim of mental abuse and what you can do to help them. Emotional abuse, unlike physical abuse, can be so subtle and insidious that friends, family and even the victims themselves may not recognize the toxic dynamics at play. At first, the emotionally abusive partner may act in ways that appear loving and attentive on the surface — all part of the “grooming process” to win over...