Trauma bonding happens when an abused person becomes attached to their abuser, most commonly in relationships where abuse is cyclical and repetitive. Contrary to popular belief, trauma bonding is not the bond formed when two people (such as siblings) experience “shared trauma”.
In relationships where emotional and physical abuse occurs, individuals often find themselves inexplicably attached to their abuser. This phenomenon, known as trauma bonding, traps victims in cycles of manipulation, guilt, and control. Understanding trauma bonding is crucial for those seeking to break free from toxic relationships and reclaim their lives. Let’s look at the nature of trauma bonding, exploring its signs, stages, and offering guidance on how to escape these destructive cycles.
Trauma bonding occurs when an abused person forms an unhealthy emotional connection with their abuser. This bond is reinforced through cycles of abuse followed by intermittent positive reinforcement, such as affection or apologies, which confuses the victim and makes it difficult to leave the relationship. The emotional highs and lows create a sense of dependency, making it hard for victims to see the reality of their situation.
Recognizing the signs of trauma bonding is the first step toward breaking free. Some common indicators include:
Understanding the stages of trauma bonding can help victims identify the patterns in their relationships:
Escaping a trauma bond is challenging, but not impossible. Here are steps to take:
Trauma bonding is an emotional attachment formed between an abuser and their victim, reinforced by cycles of abuse and positive reinforcement.
Signs include feeling trapped, rationalizing abuse, isolation, and experiencing emotional highs and lows.
The intermittent positive reinforcement creates a sense of dependency and confusion, making it difficult to leave.
Yes, with support, education, and a clear plan, trauma bonds can be broken, allowing for recovery and healthier relationships.
No, trauma bonding is based on control and manipulation, while love is based on mutual respect and care.
Trauma bonding can feel confusing as it is a complex and damaging aspect of abusive relationships, making it difficult for victims to break free. However, with awareness, support, and a plan, it is possible to escape these toxic bonds and start a journey toward healing. Remember, true love is built on mutual respect, not control and manipulation.
We are fully online, which means that your therapy sessions will be help via video call on our HIPAA compliant Platform. Anyone in New Jersey can access our therapy services
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page might answer your questions about your insurance information, cost and OON coverage.
Visits our FAQ About Insurance to learn more about OON coverage for mental health services. We can also check your benefits for you. When using OON benefits, patients typically pay the full cost of the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurance company for reimbursement.
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that tele-therapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether tele-therapy is working for you.
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.