• About
  • Contact
DONATE
  • Healing From Abuse
  • Help Someone Being Abused
  • Training + Curriculum
  • Tools + Resources
    • Blog
    • Types of Abuse
    • Abuse Recovery Stories
    • Finding Clarity And Healing Course
    • CE Course
    • MEND’s Terms-Definitions and Other Free Tools
  • Free Monthly Workshops
  • Healing From Abuse
  • Help Someone Being Abused
  • Training + Curriculum
  • Tools + Resources
    • Blog
    • Types of Abuse
    • Abuse Recovery Stories
    • Finding Clarity And Healing Course
    • CE Course
    • MEND’s Terms-Definitions and Other Free Tools
  • Free Monthly Workshops

The MEND Project Blog

The MEND Project Blog

How MEND Can Help? Subscribe Now!

Subscribe Now

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.

why-partners-who-catastrophize-are-abusive

Why Partners Who Catastrophize Are Abusive

How is catastrophizing in relationships abusive? At first glance, this behavior may not seem very harmful. Yet victims experience negative personal and relational effects because

Read More
Covert bullying

Unveiling Covert Bullying: Understanding its Hidden Tactics

Have you been the victim of covert bullying? In the realm of adult interactions, bullying doesn't always manifest in overt displays of aggression. Often, it lurks

Read More

I Was Never Heard – By “Brooke” | The Mend Project

I Was Never Heard - By “Brooke” | The MEND Project In this survivor of domestic violence story written by a brave soul who we

Read More

Child Abuse from the Eyes of a Foster Advocate

This is the story of one child's journey through the foster care system. As you read the experiences of this child who survived abuse,

Read More
how-victims-experience-secondary-abuse

How Victims Experience Secondary Abuse

Secondary abuse is when victims of abuse are inadvertently or intentionally mistreated by the people they trusted with their story. In this post, we're going

Read More
emotional-entitlement

A Guide to Navigating Entitlement in Relationships

Have you ever asked your partner to stop doing something you’re uncomfortable with? For example, he won’t stop photographing you in your bathing suit. Or

Read More
Power and control wheel

Power and Control Wheel as a Tool for Recognizing Abuse

Abuse is so confusing it can be hard to put into words. What seems like a simple conflict to work through can become muddled and

Read More

Books That Educate on Abuse

Education is the first step toward gaining the clarity needed to recognize abuse, empower those affected, and encourage others to find safe spaces to

Read More
Breaking Promises in a Relationship

Magical Thinking & Breaking Promises in a Relationship

Does your partner think an apology will resolve the relational stress and confusion you’re experiencing? Or do they think their apology is enough to

Read More
When is Couples Therapy not appropriate

Couples Counseling: When It Helps vs. When It Harms

For couples experiencing relationship issues that they can’t seem to solve on their own, seeking marital or couples counseling is often considered the next

Read More
dismissive-behavior-in-relationships

Courageous Conversations: Confronting Abusers the Right Way

At some point, you will likely have the opportunity to confront a person about their abusive personality and behavior. Whether the abuser is a client,

Read More
Why Men Won’t Leave Their Abuser

Why Men Won’t Leave Their Abuser

We naturally talk about female victims of abuse, but men are abused by their partners as well. It’s just not talked about as much. According

Read More

Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]

First

Previous

Next

Last

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 I found this material. Reading and listening to the testimonies and ...

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 the quiet struggles that often go unnoticed and unspoken, especially when ...

Read More
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 profound and lasting.In this guide, we’ll break down the complexities of ...

Read More
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 it happened or why?  Or, maybe you’ve attempted to raise a ...

Read More
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 narcissistic parents experience recurring trauma  that leads to interrupted brain development ...

Read More
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 trusted people. Others may want to share it with groups of ...

Read More

Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]

First

Previous

Next

Last

Stories Of Healing

Abuse Survivor Stories

Healing from Emotional Abuse Stories

Male Survivor Stories

SHARE YOUR STORY

Our Models & Frameworks

Start Here - How to Heal

How to Help Someone Who Is Being Abused

Healing Model of Compassion

Accountability Model for Abusers

Double Abuse ®

MEND’s Terms & Definitions

Help & Information

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

Problems With Couples Therapy

How to Screen a Therapist for Abuse Help

How To Safely Leave an Abusive Relationship

Get Involved

About

Contact

DONATE

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. © 2025 The MEND Project. All Rights Reserved.