Episodes

Women all over the United States think they’re doing the right thing, divorcing their abusive husband. That the court will help them protect their children from abuse. But instead, the court orders the children to reunification therapy. Here’s what everyone needs to know about reunification therapy. Tina Swithin from One Mom’s Battle and Anne Blythe, M.Ed. from The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Podcast talk about what you need to know. Therapy should, first and foremost, empower children. Reunifica...

If you’re staying married after infidelity, it may be helpful to hear the stories of other women who have also chosen this path. If you want to stay married, but you’re also looking for safety, consider The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Living Free Workshop to give you strategies to use to keep yourself emotionally and psychologically safe after his betrayal. TRANSCRIPT: STAYING MARRIED AFTER INFIDELITY? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Anne: We have a member of our community on today. I’m going to call her L...

The term “Biblical submission” has long been considered an essential principle of a sanctified partnership. But more and more women describe that people use this term to perpetuate a pervasive type of abuse. That all too often goes unnoticed. Perhaps one can ask, is the term “biblical submission” synonymous with spiritual abuse? If you are experiencing spiritual abuse we’d love to see you in a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session. Coach Sharon focuses on exposing incorrect thought patterns th...

If you’ve experienced your husband’s lies, infidelity, manipulation or any other type of abuse, here are the best songs about healing from trauma. To discover if you’ve experienced any one of the 19 types of emotional abuse, take our free emotional abuse quiz. Here’s the list below… Betrayal Trauma Healing Playlist on APPLE MUSIC Infidelity Healing Playlist on SPOTIFY Betrayal Trauma Healing Playlist on YOUTUBE SONGS ABOUT HEALING FROM TRAUMA Because music has a unique way to help us proces...

Have you ever asked, “Is it wrong if I want to leave my emotionally abusive husband?” Here are some things to consider. To discover if you’re emotionally abused, take our FREE emotional abuse quiz. 1. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE ELSE IF THEY ASKED? Pretend like you’re having a conversation with someone else. Listen to your own story as if you’re someone else. What would you say to this “other” person? Would she be wrong for wanting to leave an emotionally abusive husband? 2. WHAT WOULD A DOM...

You don’t have anything wrong with you if you left an emotionally abusive marriage and your new husband is abusive too. This episode follows Chandra’s Story: This Is How Abusers Manipulate Their Victims – Chandra’s First Marriage Part 2: When My New Husband Is Abusive Too – Chandra’s Second Marriage (THIS EPISODE) When women experience a second abusive husband, they may blame themselves: I’ve already been through this once, how could I make this mistake again? What is it about me that attrac...

Have you wondered how abusers manipulate their victims? Chandra shares how her first husband manipulated her to keep her in the dark. Chandra, a Shero and member of the BTR.ORG community, shares the first part of her incredible story of surviving abuse despite her first husband’s many attempts to control the narrative. If you’re in this situation and need support, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session TODAY. This episode follows Chandra’s Story: This Is How Abusers Manipulate Their V...

How to know if my abusive husband is changing? Perhaps like Claire, you hope he can change. If you want to discuss the possibility of your abusive husband changing with other women who feel the same way, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Support Sessions. A man who is changing will consistently reject misogyny. This means that he will: Not expect or ask others to cook, clean, or “take care” of him. Not expect, ask for, or coerce you or others for sex. Clean up after himself and other...

Have you ever read a news article that describes a domestic abuser as a “good guy”. Can an abuser be a good person, really? Jane Gilmore, award winning journalist from Australia, talks with Anne Blythe, M.Ed. about how media coverage of domestic abuse doesn’t help victims recognize the truth. If the media didn’t help you recognize your husband’s abuse, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session TODAY to get the support you need. TRANSCRIPT: CAN AN ABUSER BE A GOOD PERSON? Anne: I’m honor...

Too often, we expect abuse victims to look a certain way: downtrodden, economically-dependent, and submissive. But that’s not true. Abuse is exploitative in nature. What do emotional abusers look for in their victims? Strength and ability, here’s why. If you relate to this episode and wonder if you’re experiencing emotional abuse, take this free emotional abuse quiz. Leslie, a successful doctor with multiple degrees, a victim of her ex-husband’s horrific abuse – shares her story. WHAT DO EMOT...

It’s super common for an emotional abuser to lie about his ex, but did you know that tradition is centuries old? If you’re wondering, “Why does my ex lie about what happened?” Here’s a bit of history you absolutely need to know. Why does my ex lie about what happened? Labeling a woman as crazy is a powerful tool that men have had in their arsenal for centuries. And it’s a little confusing: when a woman is clearly sane and healthy, why in the world would someone lie and say she’s crazy, unstabl...

If you’re like many women in the Betrayal Trauma Recovery Community, you’ve spent hours scouring the internet, researching why your husband has no empathy for you. Is it mental illness? A history of trauma? Is it physiological? Due to addiction or pornography use? Or is it a choice? Maybe he’s emotionally abusive? To discover if he’s using any one of the 19 types of emotional abuse, take our free emotional abuse quiz. Nora is on the Betrayal Trauma Recovery Podcast with Anne, taking a deep d...

“Is my husband gaslighting me?” If you’ve asked yourself this question, here are three types of gaslighting to watch for. Dr. Robin Stern, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, details the three types of gaslighters and the tactics they use to make YOU feel crazy. To discover if you’re experiencing this type of gaslighting, take our free emotional abuse test. THE GLAMOROUS GASLIGHTER The glamorous gaslighter grooms victims by using manipulative kindness – a tactic that lure...

What is victim blaming? It’s when someone blames you instead of the person who harmed you. It’s a tactic used, not only by abusers, but also by everyone else. Victim blaming invalidates our experience as victims of emotional and psychological abuse and coercion. If you’re being blamed for your husband’s lies, manipulation, and infidelity, you need support. Attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session TODAY. To discover if you are a victim of emotional abuse, take this free emotional abuse qu...

One of the questions I often hear women in our community grappling with is, “how do you know when your marriage is over​?” The answer I hear many women give is that you’ll know if and when it’s time. The truth is, there is no “right” answer or clear path for every woman facing this question, but there are a few things you can keep in mind while contemplating. If you’re asking this question, it’s likely your husband is using emotional abuse tactics. To discover if your husband uses any of the 1...

Fairy tales have harmed women for centuries. Fairy tales often vilify women’s anger, undermine their pursuit of financial independence, and set unrealistic expectations. These biases shift the focus from abusers to women, making them see themselves as the problem. Join Anne Blythe, M.Ed, Host and Jane Gillmore as they discuss misogyny and fairy tales. If you relate to any of this episode, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session TODAY. FAIRY TALES HARMED WOMEN: VILIFICATION OF WOMEN’S A...

Emotional abuse affects your body in a variety of ways. Additionally, many women in The BTR.ORG Community have experienced devastating emotional, physical, and mental symptoms. Here’s Joyce’s story. Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Sessions are here for you if you’re experiencing negative health affects of emotional abuse. TRANSCRIPT: EMOTIONAL ABUSE AFFECTS YOUR BODY Anne: I have a special friend who came to my house today. She is in my basement recording with me. We’re gonna call her Joyce. A...

In a world that has normalized explicit media and romanticizes unhealthy relationships, parents need to teach children about healthy relationships. Luckily, there are resources to help parents teach children about healthy relationships in a way that works for everyone. One of the first steps to teaching healthy relationships is to teaching about emotional abuse. If they understand emotional abuse, chances are they’ll avoid unhealthy relationships. To learn more about the 19 different types of e...

Going through a divorce—especially one you didn’t want—is one of the hardest challenges a woman can face. Women experience heartbreak, uncertainty, and overwhelming emotions. It’s normal to feel lost. Here are some comforting Bible verses concerning divorce. So if you’re suffering from your husband’s choices, that you may not be aware of. You’re also healing from years of emotional abuse. To see if you experienced any one of these 19 different types of emotional abuse. Take our free emotional a...

Male entitlement to women’s bodies is a driving force behind emotional & psychological abuse, sexual coercion, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and homicide. Here’s what you need to know. Rachel Moran, a former trafficking victim, shares her story below. For women who are currently in a relationship, if you’re feeling used and unseen, consider taking our free emotional abuse quiz. To see if you’re experiencing any of these types of emotional abuse (including coercion). WHY DO MEN FEEL ENTITLED...

It’s hard to say no. How to say no is especially difficult when your husband is emotionally abusive. Penny has an abusive father, and has some amazing tips about how to say no. The general idea is this: If it’s unhealthy, harming me, or I don’t want to do it AND it’s arbitrary, I say no. Try: Saying “No, thank you” politely. You don’t need to offer explanations or reasons. Say no in writing, if it’s easier. The basic idea is pretty simple, but important: I say yes when it’s a healthy choice...

Should couples stay together after infidelity? Here’s what some unfaithful husbands anonymously said. Their answers will shock you. Most unfaithful men use emotional abuse tactics to hide their infidelity. To discover if you’ve been experiencing any one of the 19 different types of emotional abuse, take our free emotional abuse test. If you need live support, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session today. TRANSCRIPT: SHOULD COUPLES STAY TOGETHER AFTER INFIDELITY? Anne: It’s just me to...

Mothers often ask, “How can I help my daughter avoid teenage abuse?” Lucy is on the BTR.ORG podcast, sharing her insights as a 19-year-old, new in the dating world, with helpful insights for mothers. In this interview, she shares her list of “red flags” that she made with the help of her mother. You can help your child avoid teenage abuse in relationships by having regular discussions about what red flags she can look out for in potential dating partners. Some “Red Flags” you may want to discus...

In marriage, many women feel off, meaning they feel like something is wrong, but they don’t know if what they’re sensing is real or just anxiety. Anne, Blythe, M.Ed, an expert in emotional and psychological abuse, sheds light on the murders of Angela Craig and Tausha Haight. And gives practical tips for how to listen to your gut and understand what it’s telling you. If you relate and wonder if you’re emotionally abused, take our free emotional abuse quiz to determine if you’re experiencing any ...