The Rising Beyond Podcast

If they see the safety concerns, why can’t they tell the court?

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the role of a treating therapist in cases involving coercive control, post-separation abuse, and family court. I explain why a child’s therapist must remain focused on the child, why a survivor’s therapist may be cautious about testifying, and how therapy records, diagnoses, and even honest testimony can sometimes be weaponized.

But staying within our clinical role does not mean therapists have to remain silent about the larger systems affecting our clients.

I also explore the ways mental health professionals can make an impact beyond the therapy room through continued education, collaboration, thoughtful documentation, professional training, public education, and advocacy.

We explore:

• Why treating therapists generally cannot make parenting-time or decision-making recommendations.
• Why testifying may not always help—and can sometimes create additional risks for clients.
• How therapists can protect a child’s privacy and the trust built in therapy.
• Why diagnoses, records, and disclosures may be weaponized in family court.
• The importance of collaboration among therapists, attorneys, evaluators, GALs, and other professionals.
• How clinicians can advocate for survivors and children without practicing outside their scope.
• Why therapists have a role in changing the systems that shape their clients’ safety and healing.

I would love to hear from both survivors and mental health professionals: What do you wish therapists could do in these cases? What has surprised you about their role? And where could therapists make the greatest impact beyond an individual case?

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

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What if just one professional truly understood coercive control?

What if your therapist, evaluator, attorney, judge, child protection worker, or GAL recognized the patterns that so often go unseen?

Would your family's story look different?

In this episode, I share more than 20 of the most important things I believe professionals need to understand about coercive control, post-separation abuse, and the experiences of protective parents and children.

These aren't abstract theories. They are lessons I've learned from years of working with survivors, children, and families—and from listening to the stories of people who have lived through these systems.

Whether you're a survivor hoping professionals will better understand your experience or you're a professional wanting to improve your practice, I hope this episode sparks curiosity, conversation, and change.

We explore:

• Why looking at isolated incidents causes professionals to miss the larger pattern of coercive control.
• How children experience coercive control—and why their behaviors should invite curiosity rather than quick conclusions.
• The mindset shifts professionals need to better recognize, assess, and respond to coercive control while supporting protective parents and children.

This episode is also an invitation.

As I continue developing trainings for therapists, evaluators, attorneys, judges, and other professionals, I want to hear from you.

What did I miss?

What do you wish every professional understood that could have changed your family's story?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Couples Therapy Episode - “Ep 212: When Couples Therapy Causes Harm | Understanding Coercive Control in the Therapy Room with Frances Russell, LMFT”  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991648/episodes/19493873

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

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This week's question comes from a protective mom navigating one of the most heartbreaking and misunderstood situations in family court.

Her teenage daughter refuses to go to her dad's house. She's crying, begging not to go, and sometimes won't even get out of the car. She's too old to physically carry, and her mom doesn't want to force her in a way that could be traumatic. At the same time, she's terrified that if she doesn't somehow "make her go," the court will accuse her of alienation or violating the parenting plan.

What is a protective parent supposed to do in a situation like this?

In this Friday Coaching Corner, we explore the difference between facilitating parenting time and forcing a child, why that distinction matters, and how to navigate these impossible moments in a way that supports your child while making reasonable efforts to follow court orders.

I answer the questions:

• What should I actually do when my teen refuses to get out of the car for parenting time?
• Where is the line between encouraging my child and forcing them?
• How can I show the court that I am supporting parenting time without traumatizing my child or appearing to alienate?

Whether you're living this situation now or simply wondering how you would respond if it happened, this episode offers practical guidance, a trauma-informed perspective, and a mindset shift that can help you navigate one of the most difficult parenting dilemmas protective parents face.

Want to have your questions featured on a Friday Coaching Corner? Send me a short summary of your situation and 2–3 questions at [email protected].

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice, mental health treatment, or a substitute for advice from professionals familiar with your specific situation. Every parenting plan and court order is different. If you have questions about your legal obligations or your child's safety, consult with a qualified attorney and other professionals knowledgeable about coercive control and family court dynamics. 

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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Back-to-school season often brings more than new teachers, new classmates, and new routines.

For many protective parents, it also marks the beginning of a new round of smear campaigns.

Whether it's with teachers, other parents, coaches, family members, or professionals involved in your case, someone who uses coercive control often looks for opportunities to shape the narrative before you have a chance to tell your own story.

The result? Anxiety. Isolation. Self-doubt. And the overwhelming urge to defend yourself.

But what if your greatest strength isn't convincing everyone you're telling the truth?

What if it's learning to stay grounded in your values while allowing your consistency to speak louder than their accusations?

In this episode, we explore practical mindset shifts that can help you respond differently to smear campaigns while protecting both your peace and your credibility.

In this episode, we answer:

• How do I stop a smear campaign from taking over my thoughts and emotions?
• When should I respond to false accusations—and when is it better not to?
• How can I protect my credibility without constantly defending myself?

If you've ever found yourself replaying conversations, worrying about what other people think, or wondering how to protect your reputation without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you.

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
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Artificial intelligence is everywhere, including family court.

More and more protective parents are telling me that their ex has suddenly started sending perfectly written messages, using AI to draft legal documents, or threatening to subpoena their ChatGPT conversations.

It's understandable to feel intimidated.

But does AI actually give an abusive person more power?

Or is it simply another tool that can be used well—or misused?

In this episode, I'm joined by divorce coach and author Rina Rosewell to unpack the growing role of AI in coercive control, post-separation abuse, and family court. We discuss both the opportunities and the limitations of AI, along with practical ways survivors can use it without becoming dependent on it.

In this episode, we answer:

• Should I be worried if my ex suddenly starts using AI to write messages or court documents?
• Can AI actually help me communicate, organize my case, and reduce the emotional toll of post-separation abuse?
• What are the limitations of AI, and why shouldn't it replace the support of safe, trusted people in your healing?

Whether you're curious about AI, already using it, or feeling anxious because your ex has discovered it, this conversation will help you separate fear from facts and use this technology in ways that support—not replace—your healing.

About Rina: Rina Rosewell is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach, High-Conflict Coach, and Amazon bestselling author of AI ARMOR: Your Digital Defense Solution for Coparenting with a Narcissist. She helps post-separation abuse survivors use AI strategically to communicate, document, and protect themselves when their ex weaponizes every interaction.

Find Rina:
https://lifeafteranabusiverelationship.com/
https://rinas-newsletter-fbfe96.beehiiv.com/

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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This week's episode comes from a question I was asked by a group of family law attorneys.

"What behaviors can we look for in a child that tell us coercive control or domestic violence is happening?"

On the surface, it seems like a simple question. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized just how complicated, and potentially harmful, that question can become.

As a child therapist, I absolutely believe we need to understand children's experiences. Their voices matter.

But when our legal and child protection systems rely too heavily on children to provide the evidence, we can unintentionally place them in impossible loyalty binds, increase pressure on them, and even teach them that speaking up doesn't change anything.

In this episode, I process these tensions out loud and share why I believe we need to think differently about assessing coercive control.

We answer:

• Why is it so difficult to use children's behaviors as proof of coercive control or domestic violence?
• What should parents actually pay attention to when trying to understand their child's experience?
• How can we support our children without turning them into evidence in a family court case?

If you've ever wondered why your child's behaviors seem confusing—or why professionals sometimes miss what's really happening—this conversation is for you.

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
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Leaving an abusive relationship is only the beginning.

For many survivors, the legal system becomes the next obstacle, especially when financial abuse, intimidation, and limited access to legal representation leave them trying to navigate family court alone.

I'm talking with Heather Bellino from the Texas Advocacy Project to discuss the often-overlooked civil legal needs of survivors and the systemic gaps that continue to put families at risk. Although Texas Advocacy Project serves survivors in Texas, the themes discussed apply to communities across the United States.

We explore how coordinated community responses, trauma-informed legal advocacy, and increased collaboration between professionals can improve both safety and access to justice.

We discuss:

• The difference between criminal and civil legal remedies for survivors
• Why protective orders, custody, and family court often determine a survivor's immediate safety
• Why abuse must be understood as a pattern of coercive control, not isolated incidents
• How stalking and coercive control are frequently minimized when viewed one event at a time
• The importance of trauma-informed judges, evaluators, and court professionals
• Why passing new legislation is only the first step—and why implementation matters
• The role of court watchers in increasing accountability and transparency
• How Texas Advocacy Project helps survivors who must represent themselves in court (pro se)
• Why knowing your legal rights can be empowering after coercive control
• The importance of coordinated community responses rather than organizations working in silos
• Why funding survivor services is essential to long-term systemic change

Survivors shouldn't have to navigate complex legal systems alone. When professionals collaborate, communities invest in survivor-centered services, and systems understand coercive control as a pattern rather than isolated incidents, families have a far greater chance of finding both safety and justice.

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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You left the relationship. You're rebuilding your life. You're even trying to reconnect with friends.

So why does every interaction leave you questioning everything?

In this Friday Coaching Corner, I answer a listener question from a survivor who wants connection but finds herself constantly analyzing whether people are genuine, worrying about how she showed up, and struggling to trust her own judgment.

Questions We'll Explore

• How do I know the difference between discernment and hypervigilance?
• Why do I replay conversations and judge myself so harshly afterward?
• How do I rebuild trust without becoming naive?

We'll talk about the impact of coercive control and isolation on trust, why your nervous system may still be scanning for danger, and how trust is rebuilt one safe relationship at a time.

Want to have your questions featured on a Friday Coaching Corner? Send me a short summary of your situation and 2–3 questions at [email protected].

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice, mental health treatment, or a substitute for advice from professionals familiar with your specific situation. Every parenting plan and court order is different. If you have questions about your legal obligations or your child's safety, consult with a qualified attorney and other professionals knowledgeable about coercive control and family court dynamics. 

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
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Rising Beyond Pinterest 

What do you do when the outcome you feared actually happens?

What happens when you've lost time with your children, the professionals who were supposed to protect them didn't listen, and you're wondering how you're supposed to keep going?

This is one of the heaviest episodes I've ever recorded—but it's also one of the most important.

Too often, survivors are told to "stay positive" or "everything happens for a reason." But that's not what hope looks like after coercive control, systemic betrayal, or devastating family court outcomes.

In this episode, I talk honestly about the hopelessness many protective parents experience, including suicidal thoughts that can arise after prolonged trauma and loss. More importantly, we explore what research tells us about hope—and why hope is not passive optimism. Hope is something we build one small step at a time.

If you've ever wondered whether you'll make it through this season, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

We discuss:

• The difference between optimism and hope—and why the distinction matters.
• Why toxic positivity can feel invalidating after trauma.
• The grief that many protective parents carry after family court and post-separation abuse.
• How focusing on what is within your control can restore a sense of agency.
• Why breaking overwhelming goals into smaller steps builds hope.
• The importance of community and allowing others to hold hope for you when you can't.
• Why purpose can exist alongside pain.
• Practical ways to nurture hope, even when circumstances haven't changed.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another protective parent who may need to hear that they are not alone.

If this episode brought up thoughts of suicide or you feel like you may be in immediate emotional danger, please don't go through this alone. Here are some resources.

United States & Canada

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
• Chat online through the 988 Lifeline website.

International Suicide Hotlines and Resources https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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Colorado recently signed HB26-1309 into law, and many survivors and protective parents are asking what it actually means for families navigating family court.

I break down what I am learning about HB26-1309, a bill focused on domestic violence, coercive control, and child safety in Colorado family courts.

While some headlines make it sound like family court has been completely transformed overnight, the reality is more nuanced. Many of the protections addressed in this bill already existed in Colorado law. What HB26-1309 primarily does is clarify, reorganize, and strengthen how courts are expected to analyze evidence of domestic violence and coercive control.

We discuss:

• What changes were actually made to Colorado law
• Why requiring courts to make findings on the record may matter
• How coercive control is addressed within the statute
• What attorneys are saying about how they may use these changes in practice
• Potential benefits for survivors and protective parents
• Remaining concerns about implementation and court culture

I also share insights from attorneys who were closely involved with the bill and discuss how these changes could influence litigation strategy, evidence presentation, and judicial accountability moving forward.

HB26-1309 does not automatically change custody orders or fix family court overnight. But it may create greater clarity, accountability, and recognition of abuse dynamics within the legal process.

Whether you're navigating family court yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you understand both the promise and limitations of this new law.

Ask Me Anything - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/ama2026
Happening November 2nd at 12pm MST, November 3rd at 2pm MST and November 7th at 9am MST

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.html

If you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
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