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The MEND Project Blog

The MEND Project Blog

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The MEND Project’s blog offers articles, personal stories, and more to help victims and responders of emotional abuse.

Use the box below to search our articles, or scroll down to view them as a list.

Additionally, you can click here for free downloadable resources.

The Truth About Forgivness

The Truth About Forgiveness and Healing From Abuse

“I hope you heal from things no one ever apologized for.”This phrase resonates deeply for survivors of emotional abuse, coercive control, and any harmful

Read More
Featured Image Kintsugi Pots

Your Guide to MEND’s Resources for Clarity and Healing

The MEND Project is here for you.When you’re in a difficult, confusing, or abusive relationship, one of the most overwhelming challenges is finding the

Read More
playing the victim blog

Playing the Victim: How Abusers Flip the Script

Abuse in relationships can take many different forms, some subtle and hidden, while others are overt. One of the most confusing and painful tactics

Read More
Abusive Belittling

The Harm of Pathologizing Abuse Survivors

At The MEND Project, we often hear stories from survivors whose emotional pain was mislabeled as abnormal behavior or unhealthy behavior. This experience has

Read More
emotional-abuse-quiz

Is It Emotional Abuse? Take This Confidential Quiz

Emotional abuse, especially when covert or hidden, can be difficult to name and identify. This self-assessment quiz is designed to help uncover subtle relational

Read More
Mark’s Story of Narcissistic Abuse

My Story of Narcissistic Abuse and Workplace Retaliation by Mark

How has MEND helped you?I finally understand what happened to me!I not just gained clarity about what I experienced, I understand what happened to

Read More
Brians Story of Finding Freedom

Brian’s Story: Finding Freedom After 23 Years of Marriage

My name is Brian, and I just finished the self-paced course: Finding Clarity and Healing in Difficult, Confusing, or Abusive Relationships. I am so thankful

Read More

Kathy’s Story: Money Was a Constant Source of Tension

Through her courage and resilience, Kathy offers an eye-opening story of emotional abuse that occurred over the course of her marriage. Her journey speaks to

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emotional abuse

Recognizing and Overcoming Emotional Abuse: A Path to Freedom, and Empowerment

Emotional abuse can be difficult to identify, as it often doesn’t leave visible scars. However, its impact on mental and emotional well-being can be

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emotional abuse confusion

How Emotional Abuse Creates a Maze of Confusion

Have you ever been in a conversation where you feel things are getting off-topic or out of control, but you can’t figure out how

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Narcissistic Parents

Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents: What Happens After They Grow Up

The Lasting Impact of Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent It’s difficult to fully comprehend the impact of a narcissistic parent on a child.  Children of

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how to tell your story of abuse

How to Share Your Story of Abuse and How it Helps You to Heal

Sharing your story—publicly or privately—is a significant step in the healing journey for any survivor. Some prefer to share their story with one or two

Read More

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The Truth About Forgivness

The Truth About Forgiveness and Healing From Abuse

“I hope you heal from things no one ever apologized for.”This phrase resonates deeply for survivors of emotional abuse, coercive control, and any harmful relationship. It acknowledges a reality far too common: many people carry ...

Read More
Featured Image Kintsugi Pots

Your Guide to MEND’s Resources for Clarity and Healing

The MEND Project is here for you.When you’re in a difficult, confusing, or abusive relationship, one of the most overwhelming challenges is finding the words to describe what you are experiencing. At The MEND Project, ...

Read More
playing the victim blog

Playing the Victim: How Abusers Flip the Script

Abuse in relationships can take many different forms, some subtle and hidden, while others are overt. One of the most confusing and painful tactics used by abusers is playing the victim—a manipulative strategy where they ...

Read More
Abusive Belittling

The Harm of Pathologizing Abuse Survivors

At The MEND Project, we often hear stories from survivors whose emotional pain was mislabeled as abnormal behavior or unhealthy behavior. This experience has a name: pathologizing — and it causes deep, lasting harm. This ...

Read More
emotional-abuse-quiz

Is It Emotional Abuse? Take This Confidential Quiz

Emotional abuse, especially when covert or hidden, can be difficult to name and identify. This self-assessment quiz is designed to help uncover subtle relational patterns that may be undermining your emotional safety, autonomy, and well‑being.On ...

Read More
Mark’s Story of Narcissistic Abuse

My Story of Narcissistic Abuse and Workplace Retaliation by Mark

How has MEND helped you?I finally understand what happened to me!I not just gained clarity about what I experienced, I understand what happened to me, and I experience enormous validation from Annette's words about double ...

Read More

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Stories Of Healing

Abuse Survivor Stories

Male Survivor Stories

SHARE YOUR STORY

MEND Frameworks

What is Original Abuse?

What is Double Abuse ®?

MEND’s Terms & Definitions

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If you are in immediate danger contact the national hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or call 911.

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Disclaimer: The author of this website, The MEND Project and its founder, Annette Oltmans, takes responsibility for the presentation of the content of this website. We are not clinicians, but are researchers and desire to help you. We are not trying to vilify any gender, or any person, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality etc. Our mission is to identify and clarify the single behaviors or patterns of behaviors that occur when covert abuse is present. The material on this website and the services our nonprofit offers are offered in an effort to serve all victims of abuse. © 2026 The MEND Project. All Rights Reserved.

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