Anger and Gaslighting, Betrayal Trauma Anger: Part 3

ANGER! Let's talk abou it.

Anger after betrayal can feel huge, sudden, or out of character — but it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a natural response to harm, deception, and the collapse of emotional safety.

In this episode, we break down why anger shows up so strongly and how to begin processing it in ways that support your healing.

We cover:

• Why anger in betrayal trauma feels so intense
• How gaslighting and minimization fuel anger
• The protective purpose anger serves
• What happens when anger gets pushed down
• How to process anger without exploding or shutting down
• Simple ways to support your body as anger moves through

Anger isn’t a flaw — it’s information. It’s your body responding to what happened.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I this angry?” or “Is this too much?” this episode will help you understand your reaction with more clarity and compassion.

Your anger makes sense. And it’s allowed.

Book Discussed:

Betrayal Trauma Anger by Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck

About the Author

Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Anger Management Specialist, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She helps individuals and couples heal from the devastating impact that broken trust and broken relational attachment brings including the complex trauma that results from intimate betrayal. She is a highly sought after conference speaker and has private practice in Florida where she also conducts 3-day intensives.

Website

https://crystalhollenbeck.com/

Article referenced in Interview:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2024.2306940

Book

https://www.amazon.com/Betrayal-Trauma-Anger-Youre-Should/dp/B0FN6P62K8/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wM614LoIEBMWDrdQhOZoFQ.GPKnCN_hCGwnYR2zsBu3BLWQn0Nwd4kGNkZRIzGROYo&qid=1755753925&sr=8-1

SCIP Protocol

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://crystalhollenbeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SCIP-Protocol-Dr.-Hollenbeck.pdf

Rachel's Bookshelf

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17C3H1PVHJ5N9?ref_=wl_share

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