The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Christine Hammond, LMHC, NCC Most state protective services constitute abuse to be neglect, sexual, or physical. But a bruise should not be a requirement for proof of abusive behavior. There are many other ways a person can be abused. Abuse can be manipulation, exploitation, maltreatment, neglect, violence, cruelty, harm, hurt, ill-treatment, and exploitive. The seven ways it is manifested is through physical, mental, verbal, emotional, financial, sexual and spiritual. The following list is not inclusive but rather provides an opportunity to explore, evaluate and discuss any potentially destructive behavior. Physical Abuse. Have you experienced: Intimidation – Bullying by standing over, looking down, or getting “in your face” and then refusing to back off. Isolation – Limiting your ability to escape from or abandoning you in dangerous situations. Restraint – Confines you by blocking a doorway, grabbing when trying to leave, locking doors with no key, or tying ...

By: Christine Hammond, LMHC, NCC Verbal abuse is powerful. After years of counseling as an adult, Natalia realized that she was verbally abused by her father. His harsh words would wear her down to the point she couldn’t think straight. Then he would spin a situation around, so everything was Natalia’s fault. Worst yet, as an adult, her dad’s words echoed in her head as she subconsciously reenacted her childhood within her marriage. Verbal abuse very quickly intimidates the victim while simultaneously establishing dominance and superiority for the abuser. The attack usually catches the victim off-guard though inconsistent timing thus assuring victory. All of this is done to gain control and manipulate a person into doing something. The pattern is similar to whether the abuser is a spouse, parent, employer, coach, manager, or preacher. It first begins in secret, is infrequent, is mild in tone with minimal use of abusive language, and sometimes is followed by a shall...