Description

In this solo episode of Perfect Prey, I explore one of the most heartbreaking dynamics of coercive control: the weaponization of children.

Children rely on their parents for safety, stability, and unconditional love. But when a predatory parent is operating within the family system, attachment can become fractured.

Instead of growing up with secure connection, children are often indoctrinated into false narratives, exposed to subtle undermining, and pulled into loyalty binds they cannot cognitively or emotionally process.

I explain how coercive control is the underpinning of all forms of abuse — psychological, legal, financial, physical, and emotional — and how, when an abuser can no longer control their partner, they often shift to controlling through the child.

We’ll talk about:

• How attachment is formed — and how it can be fractured

• Why children may come home dysregulated, angry, or oppositional

• How subtle undermining and false narratives are planted

• The difference between alienation rhetoric and attachment fracture

• Why predatory parents rely on retaliation and loyalty conflicts

• How protective parents can create “roadblocks” to manipulation

• What it means to respond instead of react — even when you are traumatized

  
  

This episode is especially for protective parents navigating post-separation abuse and family court dynamics. The reality is painful: children are often placed in impossible positions, forced into emotional roles they should never have to carry.

But there are ways to respond differently.

If you are watching your child struggle, unravel, or lash out after time with the other parent, this episode will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface — and how to stay grounded in your role as the secure base.

Protective parents are doing some of the hardest work there is. You are not alone.

Connect with Dr. Christine

Protective Parenting Program:
https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

Official site:
https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

Books:
https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook
https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

If this episode resonated, please share it with someone who needs this information, subscribe to Perfect Prey, and consider leaving a review. It helps other survivors and protective parents find validation and clarity.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Laura Richards, a criminal behavioral analyst, former New Scotland Yard specialist, and one of the leading global voices on coercive control. Laura has been instrumental in changing laws on stalking and coercive control in the UK and internationally, and her work has helped shape policy, legislation, and professional practice worldwide.

We explore why coercive control is not about isolated incidents, but a patterned strategy of domination, entrapment, and power imbalance. Laura explains why coercive control is best understood as a war of attrition, how patriarchy and misogyny shape institutional responses, and why women and children are so often disbelieved—even when the evidence is present.

This conversation examines how legal systems, family courts, and law enforcement frequently fail victims and survivors, particularly at the point of separation, when risk escalates most dramatically. We also discuss why coercive control must be criminalized, why gender matters in risk assessment, and how language itself can either obscure or reveal abuse.

What we cover

• What coercive control really is and why it’s a patterned form of abuse

• Why victims and survivors are often disbelieved by systems meant to protect them

• Coercive control as “murders and suicides in slow motion”

• The role of patriarchy, entitlement, and power imbalance in abuse

• Why separation is the most dangerous time for women and children

• How family courts can become a tool of post-separation abuse

• Why protecting children requires protecting the non-abusive parent

• The urgent need to criminalize coercive control globally

Why listen If you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, advocate, or policymaker, this episode offers critical insight into how coercive control operates beneath the surface of relationships and systems. Laura Richards brings clarity to why abuse is so often minimized, misunderstood, or reframed—and what must change to prevent further harm.

Guest bio (short)Laura Richards is a criminal behavioral analyst, former New Scotland Yard specialist, and a leading international expert on coercive control, stalking, and violence against women. She helped create the DASH risk assessment model, founded the National Stalking Advocacy Service (Paladin), and played a central role in criminalizing coercive control in England and Wales. Laura is the author of Policing Domestic Violence and host of the Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile podcasts.

Connect with Dr. Christine

Official site: https://www.thelaurarichards.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeanalyst?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

X (twitter): https://x.com/thecrimeanalyst

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeanalystpod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCksfRSwfwFqUCjcxKYju6_Q

Books: https://www.thelaurarichards.com/resources/books

Connect with Dr. Christine

Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

Books:https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBookhttps://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

If this episode resonated, please share it with someone who needs this information, subscribe to Perfect Prey, and consider leaving a review to help other survivors find validation and clarity.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Laura Richards

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Andrew Carpenter, a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, widely known for his work holding child sexual abuse perpetrators accountable and advocating for systemic reform.

Andrew and I have a frank, uncomfortable, and deeply necessary conversation about child sexual abuse, grooming, coercive control, and the institutional failures that continue to endanger children. We explore how child predators use the same grooming tactics as coercive controllers, how technology and AI have dramatically increased access to abuse material, and why legal systems—including family courts—so often fail to protect children and the parents trying to keep them safe.

This episode centers the reality that child sexual abuse is not rare, not accidental, and not a crime of opportunity—it is intentional, patterned, and enabled by silence, disbelief, and systemic blind spots.

What we cover

• How child sexual abuse perpetrators groom children, families, and institutions

• Why all child predators use coercive control and relational grooming tactics

• The disturbing accessibility of child abuse material online

• How technology, AI, and social media are being weaponized against children

• Why most abuse occurs within trusted relationships and family systems

• The failures of criminal courts and family courts to protect child victims

• Why lack of physical evidence does not mean abuse did not occur

• Warning signs, behavioral red flags, and changes parents should not ignore

• How shame, fear, and silence protect perpetrators—not children

• What meaningful prevention, accountability, and reform must address

Why listen

If you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, educator, or advocate, this episode provides critical insight into how child sexual abuse actually operates—and why so many children are disbelieved, retraumatized, or returned to unsafe environments. Andrew’s work exposes how deeply embedded these harms are within systems that claim to protect children, and why uncomfortable conversations are essential to change.

Guest bio (short)

Andrew Carpenter is a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, specializing in child sexual abuse litigation and survivor advocacy. He is widely recognized for challenging institutional failures, advocating for legal reform, and amplifying survivor voices in cases where children have been silenced or ignored. His work focuses on accountability, deterrence, and systemic change to better protect children.

Connect with Andrew Carpenter

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewcarpentersolicitor

Websters Lawyers:https://websterslawyers.com.au/lawyers/andrew-carpenter

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewcarpentersolicitor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carpenter-041456123/

Connect with Dr. Christine

Protective Parenting Program:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

Official site:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review- it helps other survivors and protective parents find validation and safety.

-Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Andrew Carpenter

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Tonia Bales, author of When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John. Tonia shares her story as the first wife of the man later known to the world as “Dirty John”—long before the podcast, Netflix series, or public recognition of who he really was.

Tonia describes how coercive control, deception, and manipulation unfolded inside her marriage, how she began uncovering her husband’s double life, and how the legal and family court systems failed to protect her and her children. This conversation offers a powerful look at how predators hide in plain sight, how survivors are often DARVO’d when they speak up, and how children become collateral damage in abusive systems.

What we cover

• Life with Dirty John before the world knew his name
  

• How predators identify and target “perfect prey”
  

• Early warning signs, red flags, and deception hidden in plain sight
  

• DARVO tactics and false accusations used to silence victims
  

• Substance abuse, professional abuse of power, and systemic failure
  

• Family court, coercive control, and the weaponization of children
  

• Protective parenting, resilience, and healing after profound trauma
  

  
  

Why listen If you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, or advocate, this episode offers critical insight into how coercive control operates long before abuse is publicly recognized. Tonia’s story underscores why survivors are not naïve or weak—and why systems must do better to protect those who speak up.

Guest bio (short) Tonia Bales is a survivor of coercive control and the author of When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John. Her story sheds light on the early patterns of abuse used by predators and the long-term impact of coercive control on victims and children. Through her writing and advocacy, Tonia works to educate the public and professionals about how abuse hides in plain sight—and why survivors must be believed.

Book information When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John Available for presale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Release date: January 13

Connect Tonia Bales:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toniabales?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonia.bales/

• Book Pre-order Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDDC6FL?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnHUKUJZ66YW-ed61SGw-lrKgFG6dnBGrVNG3HKq8--EQOpUpk0p_RHBPIooU_aem_yzp5bcFQZ3qA-0ZB2cUsZQ

• Book Pre-order Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-you-see-it-tonia-bales/1147557107?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnsCgCEudPLDgxvCiAhmFYxcmlITQgdX8Kg9N5ItIrcW5Doxah2aRfQpDKwmU_aem_nHP_j-GiGb8xTQFMQqQo4g

  
  

Connect with Dr. Christine:

• Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

• Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

• TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

• Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

• https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

  
  

If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Tonia Bales

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by David Challen, author of The Unthinkable, who shares his experience growing up as a child inside a coercively controlling family system. David offers a rare and powerful perspective on coercive control through the eyes of a child—long before there was language to describe abuse, and long before systems were willing to see it.

This conversation explores how coercive control creates an atmosphere of fear, vigilance, humiliation, and emotional captivity within families, even when there is no visible violence. David reflects on the early intuition that something was wrong, the “rot in the house” that others could not see, and how children normalize danger in order to survive. Together, we examine the intergenerational harm caused by coercive control and why children are not passive witnesses, but co-victims.

What we cover

• What coercive control looks and feels like through the eyes of a child

• How children sense danger, imbalance, and domination long before abuse is named

• The normalization of mockery, humiliation, fear, and emotional subservience within families

• Why coercive control is not “hidden abuse,” but a trajectory of escalating harm

• How long-term psychological domination strips autonomy, identity, and safety over time

• The concept of “systemic degradation” and how victims are worn down across years or decades

• Why victim retaliation is often misunderstood, mislabeled, and criminalized

• The long-term impact on adult child survivors and protective parents
  

Why listen

If you are a survivor, protective parent, adult child survivor, clinician, or legal professional, this episode offers critical insight into how coercive control operates inside families and why children are deeply affected—even when abuse is not outwardly visible. This conversation brings clarity to experiences that are often minimized, misunderstood, or dismissed, and highlights why coercive control must be recognized as the foundation of all abuse.

Guest bio (short)

David Challen is an author, speaker, and campaigner on domestic abuse and coercive control. He is the author of The Unthinkable, which tells the story of growing up in a coercively controlled household and the devastating impact of long-term psychological abuse on children and families. David is a prominent advocate for greater recognition of coercive control and has spoken widely about intergenerational harm, survivor justice, and systemic failure.

Connect David Challen:

• Instagram: https://l1nq.com/davidinstagram

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidchallen?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

• Learn more about David: https://www.eida.org.uk/davids-story

• Website: https://l1nq.com/davidchallenwebsite

• The Unthinkable: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/david-challen/the-unthinkable/9781914240263/

  
  

Connect with Dr. Christine:

• Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

• Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

• TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

• Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

• https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

  
  

If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest David Challen

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Anne Wintemute, co-creator of Aimee Says, an innovative AI platform designed specifically to support victims and survivors of coercive control. Aimee Says helps survivors understand abusive communication patterns, validate their lived experiences, and assist with documentation—particularly in high-stakes situations such as custody and family court.

We explore why victims and survivors are not harmed because of character flaws, but because abusers intentionally target people who are kind, empathic, agreeable, and giving. Anne explains how Aimee Says was built around expertise in coercive control, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, and power-and-control dynamics—and why that specialization matters.

What we cover

• What Aimee Says is and how it supports survivors of coercive control
• Why validation and being truly heard are foundational to healing and decision-making
• How Aimee helps identify gaslighting, financial abuse, intimidation, and coercive patterns
• Using Aimee Says to support documentation, journaling, and preparation for legal processes
• Key differences between Aimee Says and general AI tools, including safety, trauma-informed guardrails, and survivor-centered design
• Privacy, confidentiality, and safety considerations for survivors navigating digital tools
• How tools like Aimee Says can reduce isolation and help restore agency and clarity

Why listenIf you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, or advocate, this episode offers a grounded, accessible explanation of how coercive control operates and why survivors so often feel confused, minimized, or silenced. You’ll also learn how thoughtfully designed tools can help survivors feel validated, supported, and better equipped to navigate complex systems.

Guest bio (short)Anne Wintemute is the co-creator of Aimee Says, an AI-powered platform developed to support victims and survivors of coercive control through validation, pattern recognition, and trauma-informed guidance. Her work focuses on increasing access to expert-level support while prioritizing survivor safety, autonomy, and confidentiality.

Learn more about Anne Wintemute and Aimee Says:

Anne Wintemute on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-wintemute-897077106Canvas Rebel interview: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-anne-wintemute/Aimee Says – Our Story: https://www.aimeesays.com/story

Connect with Dr. Christine:

• Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

• Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

• TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

• Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

• https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

  
  

If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Anne Wintemute

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I speak with Sarma Melngailis, author of The Girl with the Duck Tattoo and the central figure in the documentary Bad Vegan. Sarma shares her lived experience of sustained psychological coercion, how it felt to be worn down and re-anchored in someone else’s reality, and what the recovery process looks like after a relationship that functioned much like a one-on-one cult.

What we cover

• How coercive control can operate like psychological warfare and the tactics that make it feel impossible to leave.
  

• Why intelligent, accomplished people can become victims: the slow wearing down, mirroring, and exploitation of hopes and vulnerabilities.
  

• The parallels between cult dynamics and one-on-one coercive relationships—why isolation and repeated micro-assaults change perception and decision-making.
  

• The aftermath: public shame, misrepresentation in media, and the ongoing work of reclaiming agency, safety, and reputation.
  

• Practical reflections for survivors and protective parents: how to notice red flags early, the power of sitting with your intuition, and how healing helps rebuild boundaries and clarity.
  

Why listen Sarma’s story illustrates that coercive control is not about intelligence or credentials — it’s about a strategic, multifaceted assault on agency and reality. Whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, a clinician, or someone trying to understand how otherwise kind and competent people get trapped, this episode names the mechanisms, normalizes survivors’ reactions, and offers concrete ideas for protection and recovery.

Guest bio (short) Sarma Melngailis is the author of The Girl with the Duck Tattoo and the subject of the documentary Bad Vegan. She writes and speaks about her experience of coercive control and its aftermath, helping others recognize the subtle, insidious tactics used by predatory partners.

Connect with Sarma Melngailis:

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarmamelngailis

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarmamelngailis

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sarmamelngailis?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5c0c0b7d-0fd4-4700-b1ff-86848db49061

• Books: https://l1nk.dev/Sarma-Melngailis-Books

Connect with Dr. Christine:

• Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

• Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

• TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

• Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

• https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Sarma Melngailis

In this episode of Perfect Prey I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, author, professor, and internationally recognized expert on narcissistic abuse. We dig into why coercive control feels like imprisonment without bars, how systems (including family court) retraumatize survivors, and what survivors can do to protect themselves and their children. 

What we cover

• Why coercive control is often invisible — and why the myth of “free will” makes it so hard for institutions to understand emotional abuse.
  

• How victim-blaming and the DARVO pattern (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender) let abusers manipulate sympathy in court.
  

• The difference between milder narcissistic traits and the kind of malignant, coercive abuse that creates real danger and CPTSD-like responses.
  

• Practical, trauma-informed strategies for surviving family court: what to document, when to prioritize safety over “justice,” and how to protect your children while minimizing retraumatization.
  

• The “industrial divorce complex” — how systems and money can deepen harm, and what survivors can do strategically to preserve their safety and sense of self.
  

Why listen If you’re a survivor, a clinician, a legal professional, or someone trying to understand a loved one’s experience, this conversation names the harms you may not see on the surface and gives clear, compassionate guidance for staying safe and getting validated. You’ll hear clinical insight paired with real-world, tactical advice about custody, court behavior, and how to build a safety-first plan.

Guest bio (short) Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and media expert who writes and speaks widely about narcissism, personality disorders, and relationship dynamics. She maintains a clinical practice and educational network focused on helping people heal from narcissistic relationships. 

Connect with Dr. Ramani:

• Official site: https://doctor-ramani.com/drn/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorRamani

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorramani

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/

• Podcast: Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani

• Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Ramani-Durvasula/author/B00C2C5U0O?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

  
  

Connect with Dr. Christine:

• Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

• Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

• TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

• Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

• https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay

  
  

If this episode landed for you: share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and leave a rating — it helps more survivors find validation and safety.

— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Dr. Ramani Durvasula

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I sit down with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a licensed clinical psychologist and national expert in narcissistic abuse, to uncover the hidden dynamics of coercive control and narcissistic relationships. Dr. Zuckerman shares her deep expertise from years of working with survivors, offering insight into the traits that make individuals vulnerable, the subtle and overt patterns of abuse, and the critical need for better clinician training to identify these behaviors.

As the founder of The Z Group, host of the Next Up: Narcissism podcast, and author of two interactive workbooks—Find Your Calm and Find Good Habits—Dr. Zuckerman brings practical tools and real-world strategies for reclaiming your power, setting boundaries, and rebuilding your life. She also shares a sneak peek at her upcoming guided workbook designed to help survivors navigate narcissistic abuse in any type of relationship.

Whether you’re a survivor, a clinician, or someone seeking to understand the insidious nature of coercive control, this episode provides clarity, guidance, and the support you need to recognize patterns and take back your power.

Connect with Dr. Zuckerman:

• Workshops: https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/workshops
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.z_psychologist/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJaimeZuckerman
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.z_psychologist
• Narcissistic Abuse Coaching: https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/
• Therapy with The Z Group: https://www.zgrouptherapy.com/
• Podcast: Next Up: Narcissism https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/podcast
• Books: https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/books

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I sit down with Vanessa Reiser, LCSW, a renowned psychotherapist, speaker, and advocate who has dedicated her career to helping survivors of narcissistic abuse and coercive control reclaim their lives.

Vanessa is the founder of Tell a Therapist, a nationwide telehealth platform, and the author of Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide, a groundbreaking resource that not only unpacks the devastating impact of narcissistic and cult abuse but also offers clinicians the training and tools they need to support survivors in the healing process.

Together, we explore what coercive control looks like in real life. We talk about why certain people are more vulnerable to narcissistic abuse, the toll it takes on mental health, and how survivors can begin to recognize the patterns and break free.

We also shine a light on the unique challenges survivors face in family court when narcissistic abuse is involved, and why therapist training in this area is so urgently needed. Vanessa’s book is an essential guide for professionals and survivors alike, offering not just insight but hope—that recovery is possible, and that healing from narcissistic abuse is about reclaiming your voice, your power, and your life.

Connect with Vanessa:

• Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist’s Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Narcissistic-Abuse-Therapists-Identifying-Manipulative/dp/0306833174
• Tell a Therapist: https://tellatherapist.net/
• Follow Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessareiserlcsw/

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

🔸Follow Dr. Christine on IG: www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol

🔸Services for Professionals: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-professionals/

🔸Private Coaching: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/private-coaching/

🔸Free Guide: Clinical Implications for Children Who Are Coercively Controlled: https://drchristinemarie.kartra.com/page/childvictimofccgrowthguide