If you’ve been reading the Invisible Scar articles for some time, you know that we are proponents of therapy. We don’t espouse a specific psychological approach nor do we care whether you choose a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor. We do care about Invisible Scar readers, though, and so we repeat (often) the phrase please … More 17 Excuses People Give to Avoid Going to Talk Therapy (and Why They Should Really Rethink Them)
Editor’s Note: The Invisible Scar does not offer professional advice, only opinion. Here’s a look at the most common questions popping up in my inbox lately and some thoughts regarding them. My younger siblings live at home, and they’re being emotionally abused by our parents. What can I do? Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse … More From the Editor’s Mailbox: Being a Trusted Adult to Your Siblings, Going No Contact, and Why Therapy May Not Work for You
You have made your way to this website about emotional child abuse. Despite all the naysayers and flying monkeys wanting you to remain in the same swampland you’ve lived by forever, you’re here. You’ve chopped through the choking entanglements around you. You’ve navigated through the dense darkness of denial. And now, taking a breath in … More Surviving Emotional Child Abuse: You Are So Much Stronger Than You Think You Are
Editor’s Note: The Invisible Scar does not offer professional advice, only opinion. The Invisible Scar receives many emails every month. Some have questions or comments best shared with our readers in this “From the Editor’s Mailbox” column. Though our main advice is for the reader to seek therapy from a professional, we also invite helpful … More Questions From the Mailbox: Allegedly Ruining Your Future, Deciding to Blog, and Wondering Whether to Tell Your Abusive Parents How You Feel
Thanksgiving is not about the turkey or the football game or the parade. It’s not about just how many family members you’ve gathered around your table or how close your celebration can come to looking like the front of a Thanksgiving card. It’s not even about the mouth-watering meal and all its delicious sides. It’s … More Grateful for the Good in Your Life
Whenever you see your mother, she belittles you, emotionally abuses you, treats you like a peasant, and demands to be fawned over like a queen. After you spend time with her, whether in person or on the phone or even reading an email from her, you feel very, very tiny and insignificant. You hurt inside, … More You Don’t Owe Your Toxic Mother a Card, Candy, or Quality Time on Mother’s Day
“Emotional Neglect is the white space in the family picture; the background rather than the foreground. It is insidious and overlooked while it does its silent damage to people’s lives.” (Dr. Jonice Webb) Editor’s note: I use “he” because “he or she” can interrupt the flow of sentences. But abuse can happen to any gender. … More Emotionally Neglected Children May Feel Like They Are Ghosts
Have you recently come to the realization that you’ve had an emotionally abusive childhood? If so, that awakening to the truth can be brutal. But do know that you’re not alone. As the managing editor of The Invisible Scar, I receive tons of emails from people who have had this epiphany. And I tell them … More Ebook
Today is the third anniversary of The Invisible Scar. And in light of this frabjous day (callooh, callay!), I thought I’d share a little behind-the-scenes content: What I’ve learned in writing and running The Invisible Scar for three years The creative process for The Invisible Scar articles Favorite songs on my playlist while I write … More Three-Year Blog Anniversary: Lessons From Writing About a Tough Subject, a Peek at the Creative Process & Some Music
Every adult survivor of emotional child abuse would love to hear the following apology in some version or other: “Child, I’m so deeply sorry for all the pain and suffering and neglect that you endured through my actions or inactions. If I could go back in time, I’d right those wrongs, treat you with the … More Even When Abusive Parents Apologize, They Don’t
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