Toxic and abusive relationships
Learn how to recognize and address toxic and abusive relationships. Our contributors offer guidance on identifying signs of abuse, understanding its impact, and finding ways to safely exit such relationships. Learn about the different forms of abuse, the psychological effects, and available support systems. Find practical advice and support if you are experiencing or recovering from toxic and abusive relationships.
The Invisible Prison of Abusive Relationships and How to Become a Powerful Ally
As a psychotherapist with 16 years of experience, I’ve heard one question about abusive relationships more than any other: “Why don’t they just leave?” This question, while often well-intentioned...
Four Damaging Effects of Toxic Secrecy
Here’s the reality. We all have chapters in our lives that we don’t read aloud. This is because society can be a cruel master toward those experiences. These experiences are a culmination...
Life Is a Puzzle and the Pieces Don’t Always Fit
Life, in all its complexity, resembles a giant, evolving, three-dimensional puzzle. It is made up of millions of diverse experiences, turning points, and relationships.
What If the Way You Love Is Your Toxic Trait?
One of my favourite songs by Whitney Houston is My Love Is Your Love. It speaks of an unconditional, unshakeable love that remains through poverty, war, even death. But what happens when the way we give...
Why Women Become Anxious and Men Become Avoidant Yet Carry the Same Wound
Not long ago, I published a social media post with a simple sentence: “I have body hair. I have a soft belly. I haven’t worn makeup in two years. And I love myself anyway.”
A Trauma-Informed Take on Mel Robbins' Viral Concept of "Let Them" But Not Without Feeling
When I first heard Mel Robbins share her now-famous mantra, 'Let them', I experienced a profound exhale and a flicker of resistance. The idea of letting them walk away, letting them misunderstand...
How Childhood Trauma And Past Experiences Can Shape Your Entire Life?
If you experienced traumatic events as a child, it can influence the choices you make in life and the relationships you get into.
Breaking the Cycle and Healing Family Trauma to Build Healthier Relationships
When people hear the word “trauma,” they often think of major life-altering events: a car accident, a natural disaster, or the sudden loss of a loved one.
Why Healthy Love Feels “Boring” and What It Really Means
If you’ve grown up with chaos or experienced toxic relationships, emotional stability might feel strange or even boring. But that’s not boredom. It’s healing.
Why Avoiding Conflict Can Quietly Break a Relationship and What You Can Do Instead
If you and your partner tend to avoid arguments, you might assume that’s a good thing. After all, who wants to fight? Staying calm, letting things go, or “not making a big deal out of it” can feel like the mature thing to do.
Trauma Bonds and the Addictive Cycle of an Abuser’s Control
There’s a common misconception that an abusive relationship is a 50/50 situation and this is deeply damaging.
Recognizing the Difference Between Trauma Bonds and True Love
Love should feel safe, supportive, and fulfilling. But sometimes, what we mistake for love is actually a trauma bond, a toxic connection...
7 Micro-Traumas That Are Harming Your Relationship
Micro-traumas are subtle emotional wounds that may not seem significant individually but can accumulate and weaken the foundation...
Loving and Thriving With an ADHD Partner Takes Patience, Humor and the Right Strategies
When I married my husband 35 years ago, I knew I was signing up for adventure, but I didn’t realize it would include finding the remote...
How to Handle Social and Workplace Envy
Jealousy is a universal emotion, one that can surface in a variety of settings. Among colleagues and friends, it can shape interactions...
Knowing When to Walk Away and Choose Yourself
When is enough truly enough? When do we recognize the importance of setting boundaries and walking away from situations that...
A Guide to Breaking Free From Addiction to Chaos and Overcoming Toxicity in Relationships
Do you find yourself constantly drawn to the emotional turbulence of chaotic relationships? Are you addicted to the drama, the highs, and...
The Role of Relationship Therapy in Rediscovering Connection
In a world where technology bridges gaps yet often deepens emotional distances, relationships require more nurturing than ever before.
Are You in an Abusive Relationship? – 4 Things to Stop Doing Now
It can be extremely heartbreaking when the once loving, kind, and caring person you fell in love with is no longer there.
