Maya took a brave step when she walked into my office, still unsure if her "difficult relationship" could really be called abuse. Through therapy, she began to understand the lasting impact of emotional abuse and started the journey toward healing, reclaiming her voice, and rediscovering her self-worth.

Healing after a dysfunctional relationship is hard, but with self-compassion, therapy, and understanding the grief process, you can move toward closure and a healthier future.

Legal abuse is a lesser-known but powerful tactic often used in domestic abuse situations. This happens when one partner exploits the legal system to exert control and inflict pain, even after the relationship has ended.

After a breakup, abusers often use hidden tactics to maintain control and harm their ex-partner, including manipulating the legal system, children, and shared responsibilities.

There is a misunderstanding that needs to be addressed - the concept of 'mutual abuse' in relationships is not accurate and can harm those involved. Almost always, there will be a primary aggressor and primary victim.

Psychological abuse involves using tactics to control someone's thoughts. Abusers make the victim feel crazy, manipulate them, or threaten them. Emotional abuse controls a person's emotions and causes distress. Abusers belittle, blame, and humiliate their victims.

It's easy to mix up conflict and abuse, but it's important to understand that while healthy disagreements can foster growth in a relationship, abuse is never acceptable and involves one person harming or excerting control over another.

Coercive control is a complicated problem that impacts many individuals. This article discusses the main tactics used by perpetrators of this kind of abuse, the impact on those experiencing it and how to seek help.