Healing from Emotional Abuse or Gaslighting

Reclaim Your Power and Create Your New Reality

“How did this happen?”

Josie discussed how charming, loving and kind Tad had been when they met and for the first year of their relationship.

“How could I have let this happen? How did I not see what he was doing to me?” she asked through tears.

“I had to watch everything I did… the money I spent, the people I talked to, how I dressed, what I said.”

Whatever I did was wrong…

“…and he was always mad at me, everything was my fault. I walked on eggshells, and I never knew what to expect from him. I could never make him happy.”

Tad often told Josie she was “paranoid,” “ridiculous,” “overly emotional,” and “selfish” if she ever questioned him or tried to stand up for herself.

He minimized or downright denied her feelings.

He shared false information about her with her family and friends.

This led Josie to a life of doubt and isolation where she had shut nearly everyone out but Tad. She felt alone, worthless, anxious and depressed. Where had the old Josie gone?

I thought I was crazy.

Gaslighters and abusers are master manipulators and can have you, your family, and your friends believing the worst of you.

Their hope is to isolate you and turn your support people against you so that you feel trapped. Because when you feel trapped, you are less likely to fight back or challenge your abuser.

They seek to have complete control over you and the relationship.

The feeling trapped comes slowly, the manipulation is subtle which is why there’s often the question, “How did I let this happen to me?”

Formerly strong, confident, independent women struggle to understand how their world ended up so turned around and out of their control.

Who will ever believe me?

Many of the women I’ve worked with through the years have wondered this. And some of the men too. Yes, gaslighting happens to men as well.

When you enter my virtual doors, you enter a safe haven. From minute one, you will not need to worry about whether or not I believe you.

I will. I do.

My experience has led me to the awareness that emotional abuse and gaslighting are more prevalent in relationships than I could have imagined.

No life story is the same, but the details recounted to me are eerily similar.

Gaslighting is powerful.

And it can happen anywhere: in romantic relationships, in families, in friendships, and even at work.

Gaslighting is a specific kind of emotional or psychological abuse that’s employed by the abuser in order to gain control over you.

Gaslighters do hundreds of little things over time making it difficult to realize what actually is happening.

They work slowly to condition you to a new reality – their reality. A reality in which they have control and have you:

• Giving excuses for their behavior to your family and friends.
• Second guessing everything you thought you knew about yourself, them and others.
• Apologizing for things when you are not wrong.
• Spending all of your time and energy trying keep the gaslighter calm so that their anger will not surface.
• Refusing outside help for fear that it will make things worse.
• Believing you are always responsible for their bad mood and anger.
• Questioning your own judgment.
• Struggling to make decisions.

I can help you recover, heal, and create a new reality of hope.

If you’re currently experiencing gaslighting or emotional abuse or have escaped this experience, know that it’s not your fault.

Recognizing signs of gaslighting and emotional abuse is not easy. Abusers are subtle and intentional in their behavior.

You were not meant to see it coming – that is part of their power and their plan.
Your feelings were and are valid.

You can expect to have productive conversations in relationships void of fighting, screaming and belittling language.

You deserve to be happy and live a full life that you choose how to live.

I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can move at your own pace.

I’ll not ask intrusive questions. I know you’ll share your story and your experience when, and if, you feel you need to.

I begin with an outcome in mind – your outcome.

During our work together, we’ll explore what your hopes are as you choose your path, not me.

I’ll act as your guide as you begin to travel your new path toward reclaiming your life.

I want you to experience your own power of choice.

I’ll engage you in hopeful conversations and all the while look for what you already have within you that will help you to build the future you most want.

I can serve as your reality check, and hope you’ll feel comfortable checking out anything with me as you begin to create your new reality.

There may be some self-doubt as you move toward healing and I’m happy to answer any questions as you build back your confidence.

I’m discreet, and I can tailor your sessions and your work with me in a way that fits your situation.

If you need privacy, need me to not text or call, have a preferred way of me contacting you, or you contacting me, I’ll ask you so I can have an understanding of what you need to be safe. Call me today, and let me help you reclaim your power (513) 904-9322.