EP 18 Loving Without Controlling: How to Support a Friend in an Abusive Relationship

When we believe someone we love may be in an emotionally or psychologically abusive relationship, our instinct is often to fix it, warn them, or push them to leave. But what if, in our fear, we unintentionally begin to mirror the very control we’re urging them to escape?

In this episode, we talk about what it truly means to support a friend who may be in an abusive relationship, without taking away their autonomy, voice, or choice. We explore why trying to dictate someone else’s decisions can feel unsafe, why pressure often backfires, and how control, even well-intentioned, is harmful.

Healing doesn’t happen through force. It happens through safety, consistency, and being a steady presence. We discuss how to encourage the good, reflect truth gently, hold space without ultimatums, and remain a safe place someone can return to when they’re ready.

TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE AND TRAUMA

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