“Survivors are receiving very poor “counseling” from ministry staff and volunteers who have no professional training in mental health. Church leaders cannot be expected to give informed advice regarding the type of abusive relationships that many therapists struggle to recognize… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“By the time survivors are compelled to leave their psychologically abusive relationships, they do not see any other viable option but to leave. They… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“This is because in the legalistic church, God (or pronounced “Gawd” if you’re in the southern regions of the country) is coming to smite… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“A psychological abuser will find a survivor’s emotional soft spots and exploit them for control and entertainment.” — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Toxic people are great actors. They will utilize whichever props are available to maintain control in the relationship.” — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“If we have a high level of emotional capacity, it predisposes us to stay in abusive environments longer. That is not a great thing.… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“A Sociopath will run you over, scold you for being in their way, and have a smirk because secretly they get entertainment out of… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Toxic people absolutely refuse to have normal human flaws and weaknesses. They do not see themselves as average people.” — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Some people wonder if abusers can feel love or affection for their targets. The answer to that depends on your own definition of love.… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Some are quietly deteriorating the person’s self-esteem through the emotional game of abandonment. Being present physically but checked out emotionally is not a marriage… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Denial is a powerful human component that cannot be ignored in the context of psychological abuse.” — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“Tenderness from empaths will be used against them time and time again by psychological abusers.” — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
“When an abuser gaslights, he or she sets up situations to make the target doubt their own memories and assessments of situations. This is… — Shannon Thomas Copy Share Image
