Relationship Trauma

Since Stephen Porges first proposed the Polyvagal Theory in 1994, its basic idea-that the level of safety we feel impacts our health and happiness-has radically shifted how researchers and clinicians approach trauma interventions and therapeutic interactions. Yet despite its wide acceptance, most of the writing on the topic has been obscured behind clinical texts and scientific jargon.

We are influenced by those who came before us and influencing those who come after. Everything in the universe is interconnected so are we. We inherit cultures and experiences. This is known as collective unconscious or memory in nature. It organizes itself in systems such as flock of birds, religions, countries, football teams and so on, but the most important system for human beings is the family. Family systems are responsible for how we live and how we thrive through natural laws called 'The Orders of Love".

A mental health expert sheds light on "gaslighting"--the manipulative technique used by sociopaths, narcissists, and others--offering practical strategies to cope and break free. He's the charmer -- the witty, confident, but overly controlling date. She's the woman on your team who always...

A Life-Changing Collection for Deep Healing, Self-Regulation, and Lasting Transformation Struggling with anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm? Imagine waking up tomorrow feeling calm, grounded, and in control, without years of therapy, endless coping strategies, or feeling stuck in survival mode. This comprehensive collection brings together two highly acclaimed books—The Somatic Therapy Handbook and The Polyvagal Theory Handbook—to provide you with a science-backed, practical path to healing from within.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt emotionally “off,” held back by old patterns, or unsure how to release the internal tension building beneath the surface. Many of us carry unprocessed emotional stress in our bodies—often without even realizing it. This workbook gently guides you to reconnect with your body, regulate your emotions, and restore a sense of calm and control using the transformative tools of somatic therapy.

On a summer night in 1984, 19-year-old UC Berkeley sophomore Karen Thomas leaves her uniformed patrol job at the University of California Police Department and walks home alone in darkness. At the threshold of her apartment a man assaults her at knife point. After a soul chilling struggle she manages to escape and call 911. Police catch her assailant, she identifies him, and he is arrested. Fast forward 2014, 30 years after her assault. Why does the body remember what the mind tries so desperately to forget?

Medieval cartographers marked maps with “Here Be Dragons” to warn of unknown dangers ahead, and now Melanie Shankle humorously applies this to raising teenage daughters. Navigating the tumultuous teenage years can be daunting, with mean girls, dramatic breakups, and self-worth struggles often occurring in a single day. As a mom, you might long for a guide to help you through these unpredictable times. When her daughter, Caroline, faced high school challenges, Melanie felt overwhelmed.

Family Systems Therapy Workbook for Trauma Recovery introduces you to the revolutionary Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach—the evidence-based method transforming trauma recovery worldwide. This isn't another book telling you to "think positive" or "let go of the past." This is a step-by-step roadmap to healing that honors your complexity and works with your protective patterns, not against them.

Discover the transformative power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with this compassionate and practical guide designed for beginners. This book introduces you to the concept of your “inner parts” and shows how to build a harmonious relationship with every part of yourself. Through step-by-step explanations, relatable examples, and actionable exercises, you’ll learn how to identify and work with protectors, connect safely with vulnerable exiles, and access your Self—the calm, compassionate leader within.

Shame influences more of our thoughts and actions than many other emotions. Used as a punishment for bad behavior, shame acts as an incentive for us to behave in socially acceptable ways. As a common method used to regulate children’s behavior, shame is by far one of the most pervasive socializing agents. Many of our more persistent, punitive, and critical feelings about ourselves stem from humiliations in early childhood even if we don’t remember the specific events that prompted them.

Feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells, trying to please someone who only drains your energy? Have you been manipulated, guilted, or gaslit but still find yourself making excuses for them? Tired of being the “empath” in a relationship that feels more like emotional warfare than love? You’re not crazy. You’re not weak. And you’re not alone. You’ve simply been trained to ignore your instincts and accept mistreatment likely since childhood. This book is your wake-up call and your way out.

In this book, Raven has included firsthand tried-and-true meditations and exercises for you to recover and gain your sparkle back after narcissistic abuse. More than 20 healing resources: guided meditations, exercises, and journal prompts for healing, human design, and astrology concepts. Empath protection guided meditation included.

Do you feel anxious in relationships—desperate for reassurance yet terrified of abandonment? You’re not broken—you’re wired for connection, and you can feel secure. You don’t have to settle for anxiety-ridden relationships or second-guess your worth. Healing is possible, love is within reach, and security starts from within. It’s time to let go of fear and step into the love you were meant for. Your new story begins now—press play and start living it.

With a bachelor's and master's degree in education and over 30 years of experience, plus training in trauma sensitivity, author and mother of two, Jennifer Alushan, is ready to give parents and caregivers proven techniques to effectively understand and authentically interact with children so the healing process can begin.

As a black woman, you've navigated a world that often overlooks your struggles and diminishes your worth. But what if you could break free from the chains of societal expectations and embrace your true self? In Self-Love for Black Women, Nya Love takes you on a transformative journey, offering practical tools and strategies to help you overcome past traumas, improve relationships, and cultivate unshakable self-worth.

Haunted by the ghosts of toxic relationships? Struggling with a crippling emotional hangover after escaping narcissistic abuse or manipulation? You are not alone. The stark reality is that toxic relationships can do more than just leave emotional scars—they can fundamentally alter your perception of love, trust, and self-worth. The solution? Arm yourself with the tools, strategies, and insights to heal, reclaim your autonomy, and build relationships that celebrate your true self.

A practicing neurosurgeon and award-winning author shares his roadmap to finding hope and even happiness when the worst happens—by placing trust in God—in this powerful memoir of personal tragedy, grief, and recovery.

We are often urged to rely only on ourselves for strength, mental fortitude, and positivity. But with her distinctive “skill, wit, and sharp insight” (Laura Bates, author of Girl Up), Soraya Chemaly challenges us to adapt our thinking about how we survive in a world of sustained, overlapping crises. It is interdependence and nurturing relationships that truly sustain us, she argues. Based on comprehensive research and eye-opening examples from real-life, The Resilience Myth offers alternative visions of relational hardiness by emphasizing care for others and our environments above all.

Do you ever feel like your body’s still in survival mode, even when things are calm? Like you’re exhausted from holding it all together—but have no idea how to let go without falling apart? Maybe you’ve even looked in the mirror and thought, “I don’t recognize myself anymore.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. Healing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, just a few minutes a day can shift you from chaos to calm, tension to ease, disconnection to safety.

The simple truth is that PTSD can be extremely debilitating - not just for the person who has experienced trauma firsthand, but for their partners, as well. And while there are many books written for those suffering from PTSD, there are few written for the people who love them. In Loving Someone with PTSD, renowned trauma expert Aphrodite Matsakis presents concrete skills and strategies for the partners of those with PTSD.