Early on in my recovery, a crisis counselor discussed the Power and Control Wheel with me. Remembering my abuser’s actions and seeing them displayed on this wheel helped me begin the painful process of understanding how my abuser was manipulating and controlling me.
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Recently I came across the following YouTube videos from the counselors who specialize in counseling domestic violence victims. Although painful, I believe the videos are a great representation of how my abuser sounded and acted.

Of all the things I have endured over the past ten years since I separated from my abuser, nothing compares to the pain, torment, continuing mental games, and anxiety I’ve experienced while co-parenting with my abusive ex-husband. As I look back over the past 10 years, if there was one thing I could change it would be my response to co-parenting with my abuser. I realize I can’t change the fact that I hid under my secret, which led to the judge granting us both parenting rights, but I do wish I was stronger in establishing my response to my abuser earlier.