In a therapy session, I clarify what is not love more frequently than what love is. Once you get familiar with common misinterpretations of love, recognizing romantic love is easier. Identifying red flag behaviors early on your relationship, is going to help you build healthy relationships. Have you ever heard the word “limerence”? Limerence is often described as the altered state of mind when … [Read more...] about Red Flag Behaviors in Relationships That are Often Misinterpreted as Love
Abusive Relationships
Why & How Narcissists Love to Play the Victim
Narcissists tend to behave in a horrible yet predictable pattern when in conflict with another (especially a relationship partner). The narcissist will twist reality to weave a distorted story of their “victim” status and manipulate others in to believing that the partner/ex-partner was an abuser. The typical pattern looks like this: The Narcissist is living in deep levels of denial … [Read more...] about Why & How Narcissists Love to Play the Victim
Coercive Sexual Experiences
An experience that is not usually represented in sexual assault or sexual violence statistics is the experience of sexual coercion. However, coercive sexual experiences are a type of sexual assault and sexual violence and can cause similar trauma related symptoms. Many women who have coercive sexual experiences struggle with how to label or name what has happened to them. Review the checklist … [Read more...] about Coercive Sexual Experiences
Surviving the Narcissist: What to do When the Abuser Cries Abuse
A frightening story I hear over and over is that of a narcissistic ex-partner abusing the legal system to abuse and bully their former partner. The narcissist will claim their former partner was or is abusive to him/herself and/or their pets or children. This form of abuse is costly to the victim, as the victim needs to hire a lawyer to defend themselves and may miss time away from work to deal … [Read more...] about Surviving the Narcissist: What to do When the Abuser Cries Abuse
10 Signs Your Loved One May Be Struggling with Opiate Addiction
Opiate addiction has become an epidemic in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and estimated 2.1 million people in the United States are addicted to prescription opioid painkillers and an estimated 467,000 addicted to heroin. For more information please … [Read more...] about 10 Signs Your Loved One May Be Struggling with Opiate Addiction
What is “Gaslighting”?
“Gaslighting” is a type of emotional abuse. The term comes from the play (1938) and then later the movie Gaslight (1944) in which a husband slowly begins to convince his wife and others that she is crazy. Gaslighting happens slowly over time leaving the victim feeling confused, anxious, depressed and often isolated. Listed below are 7 red flags that may indicate that you are being gaslighted by … [Read more...] about What is “Gaslighting”?
