Coercive control is a pattern of relational harm that can be difficult to recognize while it is happening. It often develops gradually and can affect a person’s sense of safety, autonomy, self-trust, and identity — making it confusing or even frightening to step back and see the impact of the relationship.

How to support a loved one who might be in a relationship involving coercive control.

Coercive control is a subtle but damaging form of relational abuse. Learn the signs, patterns, and psychological impact — and how to recognize it. When people think about abuse, they often picture overt acts — yelling, threats, or physical harm. But many harmful relationships don’t look like that, especially at first. Instead, they are defined by something quieter and harder to name: coercive control.

Self-compassion may sound kind of fluffy when you first hear about it, but there are so many good reasons to cultivate it.

This Naked Mind: Book review by Laurel

Unfortunately, anxiety is part of being human. It will not go away. Not completely. It is just part of our human make up. If you had no anxiety, you would be an alien.

This video explains some common obstacles that prevent us from going to therapy. It reminds us of how helpful counselling can be.

Reference for article on Bisexuality

As a relationship therapist, I do a lot of learning, studying, and reading about relationships and how to be a better relationship therapist. One of my all-time favourite relationship researchers, teachers, and relationship therapists is Stan Tatkin. In this TED talk, he explains some of the neurobiological reasons of why relationships are so hard …

What are they and what can we do about them?

Struggling with unwanted intrusive thoughts can really make life difficult to bear. The nature of these kinds of thoughts is that they are incredibly distressing. Having unwanted intrusive thoughts can lead you to doubt yourself, your sanity, your morality, your safety, or the safety of those you love.