“Why didn’t I see it sooner?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, you’re not alone—and you’re not to blame. Covert abuse is designed to stay hidden.

It’s why smart, capable women can live in it for years without recognizing it.

It’s why friends and family don’t see it.

It’s why naming what’s happening feels impossible when you’re in the middle of it.

In this episode, we break down exactly why emotional, psychological, spiritual, and economic abuse get missed—even by the person experiencing it:

• Why it doesn’t match what you think “abuse” looks like

• Why the people around you might not see it—or might not want to

• How your own mind works against you to minimize and justify

• Why Christian women face unique challenges in recognizing covert harm

• The specific reasons each type of abuse stays under the radar

Then we walk through how to begin naming what you’re living in—gently, without pressure:

• Reflective questions to ask yourself

• Early steps toward clarity and grounding

• Tools to help you trust your own sense of truth again

If you’ve been telling yourself “I’m probably overreacting” or “it’s not that bad,” this episode will help you trust what you may already know.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

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In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:38 Disclaimer and Resources

01:51 Understanding Emotional Abuse

06:01 Recognizing Psychological Abuse

07:20 Identifying Spiritual Abuse

08:36 Practical Steps for Naming Abuse

16:41 Conclusion and Resources

#Validated #OwnVoiceHeal #hiddenabuse #emotionalabuse #amioverreacting #toxicrelationshiphelp #newpodcast

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Music Credit & License

Intro/Outro music: “Lofi Background Music-337568” by [Artist] — licensed via Pixabay.

Licensed under the Pixabay Content License (free for commercial use; no attribution required). Content ID registered; used with license.

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. You are worthy of such support.