Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has become an easy target in online trauma spaces, and some of that criticism is earned. CBT is structured talk therapy built around the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and it is heavily researched and widely covered by insurance. The problem starts when people treat CBT like a universal solvent for suffering. Trauma is not just a “thinking problem”; it lives in the nervous system, in attachment wounds, and in the body’s survival responses. If therapy ignores felt safety, minimizes real harm, or rushes to “challenge thoughts” while someone is still in danger, CBT can feel cold, overly intellectual, and invalidating. Done well, though, CBT becomes a practical tool inside a larger trauma-informed therapy plan.

What is helpful about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

A core strength of CBT is helping people notice automatic thoughts, especially automatic negative thoughts (often called ANTs). Many trauma survivors can “spiral” at lightning speed, jumping from a stressor to catastrophic outcomes because the brain is trying to predict threats and self-protect. Slowing that process down is powerful: noticing the thought, checking whether it is accurate, and choosing what to do next. CBT also gives language for what is happening in the mind, engaging the prefrontal cortex (our thinky thinky parts) so we can make meaning rather than being carried by alarm signals alone (our feely feely parts). The key nuance is that some negative thoughts are accurate. If you are in an abusive or coercively controlling relationship, fear may be a wise signal, not a cognitive distortion. Therapy must honor reality, increase safety, and support the body, not argue someone out of valid danger.

That is where “third wave CBT” approaches can shine, especially dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness can give trauma survivors options when their nervous system is overwhelmed. ACT adds room for values, acceptance, and committed action when life is hard and pain is real. Most importantly, these approaches can integrate somatic therapy concepts: what you notice in your body when a belief shows up, where shame lives physically, and how the nervous system shifts during stress. Many clinicians also pair cognitive work with body-based trauma methods like EMDR, brainspotting, internal family systems, and somatic experiencing, which help reprocess traumatic memories and the negative beliefs attached to them.

What is Trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Trauma-informed CBT takes into account what we know to be true about trauma and doesn’t bypass pain or minimize the harm someone has experienced. A trauma-informed CBT mindset also respects faith without spiritual bypassing. For people who connect mental health and Christian faith, identity beliefs matter deeply, but not in a “take two verses and call me in the morning” way. The whole person – mind, body, and spirit – is tended to in the healing process. As we often say here, we are not just brains on a stick.

If trauma planted the belief “I am worthless,” true healing will involve both cognitive and somatic work: naming the belief, tracking sensations, understanding where it came from, and gradually moving toward a truer, grounded belief about worth, safety, and strength. Practical tools include tracking thoughts, urges, behaviors, emotions, and sensations to find patterns before a harmful coping strategy takes over. When you can see the ditch your mind keeps flowing into, you can start backfilling it with new skills, support, and safer choices over time. Cognitive behavioral therapy is not the whole answer for trauma, but used wisely, it can be a valuable healing tool and a steady, empowering part of whole-person trauma therapy.

Your Next Best Step

We are passionate about providing the best, most comprehensive care to those who are healing. If you want to learn more about the whole-person therapy and coaching we offer or want to connect with one of our amazing therapists or coaches, reach out today for your free, 15-minute consultation. We’d love to help you heal and be your truest, most whole self.

The post Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma appeared first on Tabitha Westbrook.

Coercive control is a much better name for domestic abuse, domestic violence, or interpersonal violence because many people still picture abuse as only physical or sexual violence. The reality is that coercive control is a sustained pattern of power and control that slowly erodes another person’s autonomy, agency, and sense of self. It can look “subtle” or even invisible on the outside while feeling suffocating inside the relationship. The core issue is not conflict or a “bad marriage,” but a repeated system where one person’s preferences, needs, and voice get treated as irrelevant. Understanding coercive control helps survivors name what is happening, trust their perceptions again, and begin rebuilding safety, dignity, and emotional clarity.

A key distinction is the difference between a one-off hurtful moment and a repeating pattern. Everyone can speak sharply or act selfishly at times, then feel guilt, repair the harm, and take responsibility. To put it mildly, we can all be jerks now and again. Coercive control, by contrast, repeats and escalates. It often includes grooming behaviors that present as charm, devotion, or protectiveness while narrowing the victim’s choices over time. Many survivors describe a “captivity funnel” effect: the relationship starts wide with freedom and slowly tightens through pressure, dependency, and fear. Common tactics include gaslighting, rewriting reality, minimizing, and convincing the victim that their memory is unreliable, which can create chronic anxiety and constant self doubt.

Coercive control also shows up through spiritual abuse in Christian contexts, when someone weaponizes faith, Scripture, or religious authority to demand compliance. It can sound like “God wants you to submit” or “don’t question the Lord’s anointed,” especially when the controlling person is a pastor, leader, or highly respected figure. This fosters dependency and isolation by implying that safety and belonging require silence. Other coercive control behaviors include monitoring phones, location, and finances; restricting access to food, clothing, healthcare, or work; cutting off friends and support systems; and using emotional punishment like the silent treatment or withdrawal of affection to force behavior. Over time, the victim’s world becomes smaller and the cost of disagreement feels dangerously high.

Consent is another critical area. Sexual coercion can occur without overt force, including persistent badgering, guilt, threats of withdrawal, or spiritualized pressure about “wifely duties.” Assent is not consent; true consent is freely given and enthusiastic without manipulation. When a person cannot control their yes because they are worn down or afraid of consequences, that is not a genuine agreement. Naming these dynamics matters because coercive control thrives on confusion. Survivors often ask, “How did I get here?” The answer is usually incremental escalation paired with tactics that keep the victim off balance.

Coercive control is not only psychologically damaging; it is physically harmful. Chronic stress changes the body through neurochemicals and inflammation, increasing risk for health problems over time. That is why we are adamant that all abuse is physical abuse, even when no one is hit. If you suspect coercive control, don’t panic. Get curious, gather data, and think about safety, because asking questions and setting boundaries can increase risk. Seek support from trained advocates and therapists who understand domestic abuse dynamics. If you fear you may be the controlling person, change is possible but requires ownership, accountability, and individual work rather than couples counseling. The path forward involves radical honesty, repentance, and sustained effort to become a safe person who no longer needs control to feel secure.

Don’t go this alone. Reach out today for your free, 15-minute consultation. We are here to help heal – whether you are the controlled or the controller. One of our amazing therapists or coaches is happy to walk with you in healing.

The post Coercive Control Deep Dive appeared first on Tabitha Westbrook.

Most people don’t often think about teen dating violence. Heck they may never think about it at all! Teen dating is often framed as awkward, dramatic, or something you’re supposed to just “get through.” Crushes, breakups, and big feelings are considered part of growing up. And while some emotional intensity is normal in adolescence, there’s an important distinction many teens (and adults) aren’t taught how to make:

Not all discomfort is just teen drama. Teens can get into destructive relationships and it’s vital to help teens know what healthy is and is not in relationships.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and this invites us to slow down and talk honestly about what unhealthy dating patterns can look like—especially the subtle ones that don’t leave visible bruises but still leave a mark on the soul (and as you know – all abuse is physical abuse unless you can take your brain out of your body and stick it in a jar).

The Quiet Questions Teens Often Ask

Most teens don’t ask, “Am I being abused?”

They ask things like:

• “Am I overreacting?”
• “Is this just how relationships are?”
• “Why do I feel anxious all the time?”
• “Why do I feel guilty when I try to set boundaries?”
• “I mean this is what it looks like in movies, porn, or novels I read…”

When a relationship doesn’t feel right, teens often assume the problem is them—that they’re too sensitive, too emotional, or too inexperienced to know better. And, let’s be honest, those who are coercive controllers use things like love bombing and gaslighting to make it easier to doubt your own experience.

That self-doubt is often where unhealthy dynamics quietly take root.

Red Flags That Often Get Missed

Unhealthy patterns in teen dating don’t usually start with obvious cruelty. They often begin disguised as care, attention, or intensity.

Here are some common red flags that are easy to overlook:

1. Jealousy That’s Framed as Love

• “I just worry about you.”
• “I don’t trust your friends.”
• “If you loved me, you wouldn’t need them.”

Jealousy isn’t proof of love, in fact it’s a big ‘ol red flag. It often turns into isolation and control.

2. Pressure Disguised as Affection

• Pressure to text constantly or share passwords
• Expecting immediate replies
• Getting upset when a teen needs space
• Pressure to engage in sexual activity

Healthy relationships allow room to breathe. Constant access isn’t the same as closeness. And pressure for any sexual activity is deeply concerning.

3. Guilt When Boundaries Are Set

• Sulking, withdrawing, or anger after a boundary
• Statements like “You’re hurting me” or “I guess I don’t matter”

Boundaries shouldn’t be punished. When they are, something important is being revealed. And true consent honors boundaries. Someone who really loves you honors your boundaries.

4. Control Over Choices

• Comments about clothing, friends, or activities
• Making decisions for the other person
• Framing control as “knowing what’s best”

Care supports autonomy. Control erodes it. Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean your partner gets to decide all things. And if there is spiritual abuse or manipulation happening, that is even more concerning. “One day we’re gonna get married so you have to submit now” is not only total bunk, but also totally unbiblical.

5. Emotional Ups and Downs That Feel Extreme

• Walking on eggshells
• Feeling responsible for a partner’s emotions
• High highs followed by intense lows

These patterns can dysregulate a teen’s nervous system (and anyone else’s for that matter), even if no one ever raises a hand. Also threatening self-harm or suicide if someone does not get their way is incredibly concerning and a big indicator that the relationship is not healthy.

Why Teens Often Don’t Name This as Harm

Teen brains are still developing, especially the parts responsible for risk assessment and long-term thinking. Add in:

• First relationships
• Intense attachment
• Cultural messages that intensity equals love

…and it makes sense that many teens don’t recognize unhealthy patterns while they’re in the middle of them.

If a teen has already experienced trauma, instability, or neglect, their nervous system may confuse familiar stress with connection. This is especially true if toxic relationships are modeled at home.

Discomfort is Data

Feeling anxious, small, confused, or pressured in a relationship isn’t a sign of weakness or immaturity. It’s telling you important things.

It’s often the body’s way of saying:

“Something here isn’t safe for me.”

Learning to listen to that signal is a skill—one many adults were never taught, either.

How Adults Can Help Stop Teen Dating Violence Without Pushing Teens Away

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult, your response matters more than your advice.

Helpful responses sound like:

• “I’m really glad you told me.”
• “That sounds confusing and heavy.”
• “You don’t have to figure this out alone.”

Unhelpful responses often include panic, lectures, or ultimatums—even when they come from love.

Safety grows in relationships where curiosity comes before control. It’s also really important to listen and invite the teen to consider what he/she is noticing in his/her body. What are their friends saying? Help them come to the conclusions about their relationship versus telling them what to do.

I will say, in some instances, there is a time to step in with more. If the teen is in danger or potential danger then responsible adults need to step in to protect. If you aren’t sure what steps to take, get help from a trained advocate or therapist.

A Gentle Invitation

Teen dating violence isn’t always super obvious. Often, it is more hidden and it can start slow and subtle. Knowing what is and is not healthy is important to learn.

Teaching teens to trust their internal cues—to notice when something doesn’t feel right—is one of the most powerful forms of prevention we have.

If you or your teen need support sorting through confusing relationship dynamics, trauma-informed counseling can help make sense of those signals with care and compassion. Our incredible team of trauma therapists and coaches are happy to walk with you. Reach out today for your free, 15-minute consultation. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

The post When it Doesn’t Feel Right: How to Recognize Teen Dating Violence appeared first on Tabitha Westbrook.

The phrase spiritual abuse is being used more often, which is helpful and also can be complicated.

It’s helpful, because many people have been harmed in the name of God and finally have language for their experience. Putting language to trauma helps us reengage our prefrontal cortex (the front thinky thinky part of our brain) where our language center is. This helps us process our experiences and make meaning of them. 

It’s complicated because the term is sometimes used so broadly that it loses meaning, or so narrowly that real harm gets dismissed. If everything is spiritual abuse or religious trauma, then nothing is.

If you’ve ever wondered “Was that spiritual abuse, or was I just hurt?” you’re not alone. Let’s dive in and name what spiritual abuse is and is not.

What Spiritual Abuse Is

At its core, spiritual abuse is the misuse of spiritual authority, language, or practices to control, coerce, silence, or dominate another person. I often define it as “taking someone’s good and right devotion to God and using it as a weapon against them.”

It is not about disagreement or imperfection. It is about power and control.

Spiritual abuse often includes:

1. Using God or Scripture to Control Behavior

• “God told me you must…”
• “A faithful Christian wouldn’t question this.”
• “If you leave, you’re disobeying God.”
• “Thus saith the Lord…”
• “Don’t speak against the Lord’s anointed.”

Scripture becomes a tool of pressure and imprisonment rather than a source of wisdom, freedom, or discernment.

2. Equating Obedience to Leaders with Obedience to God

When spiritual leaders present themselves as:

• God’s sole mouthpiece—”I speak for God.”
• Above accountability
• Immune from correction—often elder boards, if they exist, are stacked with “yes” men and women who do not challenge the leader

Questioning leadership is framed as rebellion, pride, or lack of faith.

3. Silencing Questions, Doubt, or Discernment

Spiritual abuse thrives where:

• Curiosity is punished
• Doubt is shamed
• Emotional or spiritual pain is minimized or completely ignored

Phrases like “Just pray more,” “Forgive and move on,” or “Don’t let the enemy get a foothold” are often used to shut down honest processing or questions. 

4. Using Fear to Maintain Control

This can include, but is not limited to, fear about:

• Losing salvation
• Being cursed (or accursed)
• Being ostracized or excommunicated
• Disappointing God 

Fear replaces love as the primary motivator. God is cast as the punitive judge in the sky ready to punish you for any misstep.

5. Spiritualizing Harm or Suffering

Examples include:

• Encouraging someone to stay in an abusive relationship “for God’s glory”
• Framing endurance of harm as holiness
• Calling boundary-setting selfish or unbiblical
• Calling questions about process or guidance as “gossip”

Pain is reframed as virtue rather than something worthy of care and protection. The victim is often cast as the problem or as someone who is “divisive.”

What Spiritual Abuse is Not

It’s equally important to name what does not automatically qualify as spiritual abuse.

1. Disagreement

Disagreeing with a belief, teaching, or theological position, even strongly, does not mean abuse occurred.

Healthy faith communities allow for:

• Difference
• Conversation
• Growth over time

Conversation, even passionate ones, are held with respect and care. People are willing to treat each other as image bearers of the Living God even when they don’t agree with each other.

2. Imperfect Leaders or Congregants

Leaders are human. Congregants are human. We all make mistakes, communicate poorly, or need growth at times. Those things do not equal abuse. True leaders own their mistakes and are appropriately transparent about them. You can talk through issues with other congregants or express hurt feelings and work through issues in healthy systems. 

Spiritual abuse, like other abuse, is evidenced by power and control, not occasional missteps followed by accountability. 

3. Conviction or Discomfort

Feeling challenged by a sermon, scripture, or spiritual practice can be uncomfortable, but discomfort alone is not abuse.

The key difference: Conviction invites reflection while abuse demands compliance

4. Healthy Authority or Structure

All communities have structure. Leadership itself is not abusive. In fact, power can be exercised appropriately. 

Healthy authority:

• Invites consent
• Welcomes accountability
• Honors personal agency
• Makes changes when something isn’t working well

Why Abuse Can be Hard to Name

Many people harmed spiritually hesitate to name it because:

• “Others had it worse”
• “They meant well”
• “It wasn’t all bad”

Many people don’t want to say anything if they aren’t 100% sure they were harmed. We often try to give people the benefit of the doubt, especially people we care about and respect. This is normal and not at all bad. In fact, we should start out with curiosity! But when it was truly harmful, we can get to the point we name it clearly.

Spiritual abuse can coexist with good memories, what felt like (and may have been) genuine care, and real community. That makes it incredibly tricky at points. In a situation I was in, I remember feeling genuinely cared for by one particular church member who told me he could see eternity in me. At the time, the leader of this organization was beating me down. That small compliment was a drop of cool water in a desert. It was totally fine for me to see that as good, even in a bad situation. 

Naming harm doesn’t mean we have to erase what was meaningful.

Why Naming Spiritual Abuse Matters

Spiritual abuse impacts:

• Identity—specifically our understanding of our identity in Christ and also our identity as a human being
• Nervous system regulation
• Attachment to God and to others

When harm goes unnamed, people often internalize the damage as personal failure rather than relational violation.

Naming it:

• Brings our prefrontal cortex online so we can work to integrate healing
• Restores agency
• Reduces shame

A Closing Invitation

Healing does not require certainty, only honesty and gentleness toward yourself.

You are allowed (and we’d encourage you) to ask:

• What felt life-giving?
• What felt coercive or unsafe?
• What do I need now to feel grounded and whole?

Journaling these could be very helpful in picking up the pieces. 

An Invitation for Clarity

If this post stirred questions, or helped you name things you’ve struggled to put words to, you don’t have to figure it out all at once. We invite you to take a curious perspective and ask more questions.

We created a short, reflective quiz called “Is My Church Safe or a High-Control Space?” to help you gently assess dynamics around power, safety, consent, and spiritual authority to help you gain insight.

Next Steps

If you need support to heal from spiritual abuse or religious trauma, we’d love to help you. Reach out today for your free, 15-minute consultation. Our expert therapists and coaches would love to walk with you on your healing journey.

The post What Spiritual Abuse Is (and What it Isn’t) appeared first on Tabitha Westbrook.

Romance Fiction – Part 1

Falling in love through romance fiction is a common pastime for many creatives and story-lovers alike. We read of star-crossed lovers defying the odds, of enemies-to-lovers who choose each other despite their flaws, and friends who find each other to be so much more. Fictional stories offer us a reprieve from the mundane or difficult in our daily lives.

While it can be a wonderful thing to escape into a story, it is important to recognize some of the problematic and destructive behaviors that are often romanticized in these narratives. In this two-part series, we’ll explore common romance tropes that normalize unhealthy relationship dynamics, examine why they resonate with us, and discuss what healthy love actually looks like. Today we’re going to start with the first six romance fiction red flags.

1. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Love Cures All

In stories, it is often romanticized that love from a romantic partner can “heal” someone’s deepest wounds and traumas. When the love interests find each other, it is as if the bounds of their previous pain no longer bind them. All that matters is that they found love, and from then on, they are a healed version of themselves.

As readers, we may fall for this because it is a comforting belief to think love can erase pain. In many ways, it feels as though connection and unconditional acceptance is what can heal what feels broken within us. If someone else views us as lovable and savable, then perhaps we are. For those who have experienced trauma, this idea can validate the longing to be fully seen and accepted, without having to do the hard work of healing.

In Reality

In reality, this view minimizes the need for therapy, growth, and self-work. Love is a wonderful support for healing, but it cannot do the healing for us. Healthy relationships can create a safe space where healing becomes possible, and experiencing consistent care can teach us what love should feel like. However, expecting a partner to cure trauma or other wounds can lead to disappointment or destructive patterns in the relationship, like co-dependency. The relationship provides the support; the individual must do the work.

2. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Ignoring Boundaries as Persistence

In these stories, there is a romanticized gesture of the love interest continuing to show up and pursue the main character, even if she says, “No.” It is framed as devotion and persistence. Even if she doesn’t fall for him first, he just “knew they were meant to be” and refuses to “give up on her.” He may show up at her place of work, leave her gifts at her door, or continue to call her after she asks for space.

As readers, we may fall for this because persistence and confidence can be flattering. To know someone is so entirely confident in their love for you that there are no boundaries to what they will do to be with you can feel special. Often, we are taught that being pursued equates to being valued. For those whose stories have been framed by conditional or inconsistent love, the idea of someone refusing to give up on them can feel like proof of their worth.

In Reality

In reality, the disregard of boundaries is not romance—it’s disrespect. In a healthy pursuit, autonomy and choice are honored. If someone keeps pushing after a “No,” it is not passion, it’s entitlement. This normalizes stalking, coercion, and emotionally manipulative behaviors. True devotion respects your right to say no and trusts that if it’s meant to be, it will happen with mutual consent.

3. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Possessive Behaviors

In romance fiction, the love interest may display possessive behaviors through constantly monitoring the main character’s location, who they are with, and what they are doing. They may become angry, violent, or incensed at the idea of anyone else’s attention being on the main character. They may use the phrase, “You’re mine,” as a way to claim their deep devotion and love.

As readers, we may fall for this because possession can be mistaken for protection. It can feel comforting for someone to take charge. For people whose stories have caregivers who did not protect them, or partners who deliberately hurt them, having a partner who is undeniably devoted can feel safe. Being claimed can feel an awful lot like reassurance.

In Reality

In reality, possessive behaviors are rooted in insecurity, jealousy, and ownership—not connection, love, and trust. These possessive behaviors are not protective, but rather coercive. True love does not require ownership, surveillance, or control. True love trusts and allows freedom.

4. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Jealousy as Proof of Love

In romantic fiction, jealous outbursts are often portrayed as proof of passion. The jealous partner may become violent when faced with a competitor. They may storm away from the main character, later declaring their undying love. This reaction can stem from benign encounters, such as the main character talking to another man or smiling at someone else.

As readers, we may fall for this since jealousy can be confused with intensity and passion. Jealousy can look a lot like love rather than insecurity. When someone becomes incensed at the mere thought of losing you, it’s understandable to feel a certain level of safety. For those who have been cheated on or overlooked in past relationships, this unhinged devotion can feel secure.

In Reality

In reality, jealousy is a normal and very human feeling, but it is our responsibility to regulate it and never weaponize it. In healthy relationships, jealousy is communicated and navigated, not glamorized and weaponized. When jealousy manifests as control or rage, it moves from being a vulnerable emotion to being emotionally manipulative and potentially dangerous.

5. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Emotional Turmoil as Chemistry

In these stories, couples often experience constant arguing, break-ups, and emotional whiplash. It is rare to find a couple that is steady and consistent; truly, it may not make for a good story if they were completely healthy. The couples fight hard, love hard, and the chaos is marketed as proof of their connection and passion.

A common trope that highlights emotional turmoil as chemistry is the miscommunication trope. In fiction, the plot may rely on constant misunderstandings, withheld information, or one partner manipulating the other’s perception of reality. One partner might lie about their identity, hide crucial information, or deliberately mislead the other “for their own good.” These interactions are often brushed off as tension or drama, with the intended purpose of driving the plot forward. When taken to an extreme, this becomes gaslighting—making someone question their own reality, memory, or perceptions.

As readers, we may fall for this because adrenaline can feel like chemistry. For those who grew up associating love with inconsistency or anxiety, calm and steady relationships can feel boring. Chaos, on the other hand, feels familiar and it feels exciting. The makeup after the fight can feel intensely intimate, creating an addictive cycle.

In Reality

In reality, emotional chaos is not chemistry and love does not have to be hard to be worth it. While all couples have disagreements, constant turmoil is exhausting and damaging. Gaslighting is psychological abuse—it erodes self-trust, leaving you dependent on the abuser for truth. True intimacy feels safe, steady, and often uneventful. Peace can be love’s most powerful evidence.

6. Romance Fiction Red Flag: “Fixing” the Brooding/Dangerous Partner

In this type of fiction, the emotionally unavailable, angry, and self-destructive man may “soften” only for her. She—and their love—become the only reason for his change. He may approach others with an, “I hate everyone except you,” attitude. This dynamic is often found in the grumpy-sunshine trope in which he is the grumpy, sulky character and she is a human ray of sunshine. He may have extreme anger or hostility that is only calmed by her voice, presence, or touch.

As readers, we may fall for this because it is the fantasy of redemption. It mirrors our own wish to be the exception. It is a common misconception that women believe, “I can save him,” and these stories are proof of the possibility. It is tempting and romantic to think that our love could rewrite someone’s story, someone’s pain. For caretakers and survivors, this can mirror old patterns of earning love through healing others.

In Reality

In reality, this encourages caretaking behavior and self-abandonment. It is not possible to heal someone who does not want to heal; it is up to them to do the hard work and face their pain. Love can inspire and foster change and growth, but it cannot create it. Real transformation requires accountability and choice, not saviors. You cannot love someone into wellness, and trying to do so will deplete you.

Where Do You See These Red Flags?

These are some of the romance fiction red flags. As you read these did any stand out as being part of your favorite novel? We aren’t trying to shame you, but we do want you to be aware! Our next post will talk more about how to read responsibly, but in the interim if you’re recognizing some of these patterns in your real relationships we’re here to help. As story-lovers and trauma-healers, we are honored to walk alongside you in your exploration and curiosity. Reach out today for your free, 15-minute consultation to see how we can help you.

The Journey and The Process – Counseling and Coaching that helps you thrive!

The post Romance Fiction Red Flags: Unpacking Harmful Tropes in Fictional Love Stories (Part 1) appeared first on Tabitha Westbrook.