What if the therapy that was supposed to help actually made things worse?

For many survivors of coercive control, couples therapy doesn't bring clarity, it deepens confusion, self-doubt, and shame.

In this episode, I'm joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Frances Russell to talk about why traditional couples therapy can be harmful when coercive control or domestic violence is present. We discuss what survivors should know, what therapists often miss, and why understanding patterns of power and control—not just isolated incidents—is essential.

Whether you're a survivor wondering why couples therapy didn't work or a mental health professional wanting to better recognize coercive control, this conversation offers practical insights and compassionate validation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why couples therapy can unintentionally reinforce coercive control.
• How neutrality can cause harm when abuse is present.
• The subtle signs therapists should be watching for.
• Why assessment for coercive control is an ongoing process—not a one-time intake questionnaire.
• The difference between incident-based and pattern-based thinking.
• What survivors can do if they're looking back and realizing therapy caused additional harm.
• Considerations for therapists when ending couples therapy due to safety concerns.
• What to know about therapy notes, confidentiality, and family court.

About Frances: Frances works as a therapist for both individuals and couples, and specializes in trauma recovery, helping people rebuild trust in themselves, others and life after experiences that have shattered it. She works with clients who want to process childhood abuse and neglect as well as others who come in to process recent, traumatic experiences between themselves and their partner. She primarily uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with individuals.

In addition to being a therapist, Frances is a trauma-informed yoga instructor with Comeback Yoga, an organization that supports veterans and their families. Frances also teaches graduate students at Regis University and her courses include Crisis, Trauma and Loss and Human Growth and Development.

In her free time, Frances enjoys staying active and getting outdoors through running, backpacking and skiing. She is also always on the lookout for new restaurants and recipes.

Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
Rising Beyond LinkedIn
Rising Beyond Pinterest

If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Enjoy some of our freebies!

• Choosing Your Battles Freebie
• Canned Responses Freebie
• Mic Drop Moments Freebie
• ...

Attachment theory has become one of the most talked-about topics in the dating and relationship world.

You have probably heard terms like anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, secure attachment, and disorganized attachment. Maybe you've even wondered whether your attachment style played a role in your abusive relationship.

But what if attachment theory isn't about blaming yourself?

In this episode, I unpack attachment styles through a trauma-informed lens and explore how understanding your attachment patterns can support healing, self-awareness, and future relationships after abuse.

We discuss:

• What attachment theory actually is (and what it isn't)
• The four primary attachment styles
• Childhood experiences that can contribute to different attachment patterns
• Why attachment styles are adaptations, not character flaws
• How attachment styles can influence dating and relationships
• The role attachment may play in how we experience attention, connection, and love bombing
• Why survivors should be cautious about using attachment theory as a form of self-blame
• How coercive control and abusive relationships can create attachment injuries of their own
• Why understanding yourself is often more important than trying to become an expert at spotting abusers

One of the most important takeaways from this conversation is that attachment styles do not explain why someone was abused.

Abuse happens because someone chose to abuse.

Understanding your attachment style can be incredibly helpful for healing, building self-awareness, and creating healthier relationships moving forward. But it should never be used as evidence that you caused, invited, or deserved the abuse you experienced.

If you've ever wondered how attachment theory fits into your healing journey, this episode is for you.

Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
Rising Beyond LinkedIn
Rising Beyond Pinterest

If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Enjoy some of our freebies!

• Choosing Your Battles Freebie
• Canned Responses Freebie
• Mic Drop Moments Freebie
• ...

What if your body isn’t betraying you… but trying to protect you?

In this episode, we’re rethinking the relationship survivors often have with their bodies after trauma. I’m joined by Karianne Gwinn to talk about the very real physical impact domestic violence and chronic stress can have on the body, including digestive issues, chronic pain, fatigue, nervous system dysregulation, and feeling disconnected from yourself.

We also explore what healing can look like beyond just “thinking differently” — including bottom-up, somatic, and mindfulness-based approaches that help survivors reconnect with safety, regulation, and their bodies in a more compassionate way.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by symptoms your body seems to hold onto long after the relationship ended, this conversation may help you understand why.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The physical impact of trauma and chronic stress
• Nervous system dysregulation after abuse
• Digestive issues, chronic pain, and trauma
• Why healing is not just cognitive
• Somatic and mindfulness-based healing approaches
• Rebuilding trust and connection with your body

About Karianne: Karianne Gwinn is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Psychosomatic Practitioner, speaker, and cancer survivor who specializes in helping people cultivate whole-person wellbeing in the aftermath of major health challenges and trauma. Drawing from training in nutrition, nervous system regulation, and psychosomatic healing—as well as her own lived experience—she helps people better understand the relationship between stress, trauma, the body, and healing.

Karianne is especially passionate about helping people rebuild trust with their bodies after experiences that leave them feeling disconnected, fearful, or confused. Her approach blends evidence-informed wellness practices with deep compassion, practicality, and a healthy dose of humanity. She believes healing doesn’t require perfection—and that sometimes the most powerful shifts begin with very small, very doable changes.

Connect with Karianne at kariannegwinn.com

Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
Rising Beyond LinkedIn
Rising Beyond Pinterest

If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Enjoy some of our freebies!

• Choosing Your Battles Freebie
• Canned Responses Freebie
• Mic Drop Moments Freebie
• ...