Healing From Emotional Abuse

Marissa F. Cohen
  • 4.9 (11)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Healing From Emotional Abuse is the award-winning podcast helping survivors recognize red flags, set boundaries, and rebuild their lives after toxic relationships. Hosted by relationship wellness educator Marissa F. Cohen and co-host Sami Litchert, this show explores emotional abuse, narcissistic relationships, gaslighting, trauma recovery, and what healthy love actually looks like—without judgment or expert ego. What You'll Learn: ✨ How to recognize emotional abuse and manipulation tactics ✨ Setting boundaries in dating, family, and workplace relationships ✨ Healing from narcissistic abuse and rebuilding self-worth ✨ Red flags in relationships (and green flags to look for) ✨ Recovering from sexual assault and intimate partner violence ✨ Communication skills for healthy relationships ✨ Trauma-informed strategies for emotional healing Why Listeners Love This Podcast: 🏆 Purple Ribbon Award Winner (DomesticShelters.org) 🌍 Top 10% of podcasts globally 🎙️ 130+ episodes featuring survivors, therapists, and relationship experts 💜 Authentic conversations—real stories, practical advice, zero shame Whether you're healing from past abuse, supporting a loved one, or learning to build healthier relationships, this podcast gives you the tools, community, and hope you need to thrive. New episodes weekly covering narcissistic personality disorder, codependency, divorce recovery, dating after abuse, consent education, and reclaiming your power. Your healing journey starts here. Subscribe now.

  1. 4d ago

    "I Didn't Know It Was Wrong, I Just Knew It Didn't Feel Good" | Francesca Raoy Lison on Breaking the Cycle

    Francesca Raoy Lison is a Brown University graduate originally from Madagascar and the founder of Umena, a nonprofit working to break the cycle of emotional abuse through social-emotional learning. In this episode, Francesca joins Marissa F. Cohen to talk about what it looked like to finally have a name for what she experienced growing up, and why that single act of naming it changed everything. Francesca shares the research behind why emotional abuse is so widespread in Madagascar and beyond, how generational cycles and cultural narratives keep it going even when no one intends harm, and what it actually looks like to break that cycle starting with young people. She and Marissa also unpack what "projection" really means in plain language, why prevention matters as much as recovery, and what Umena's school-based programs look like in practice. This episode discusses generational and cultural patterns of emotional abuse, including statistics on how many children are affected. There is no graphic detail, but listener discretion is advised, and the statistics referenced are as shared by the guest and should be verified before this episode goes live. This episode is sponsored by Foundations of Healthy Relationships, Marissa's six-week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships actually look and feel like. Learn more by joining the exclusive Instagram community, link in the show notes. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Healing From Emotional Abuse 03:00 Introducing Francesca Raoy Lison, founder of Umena 04:00 Emotional abuse as a global pattern: the statistics behind it 05:00 Why the numbers are so high: colonialism, patriarchy, and generational cycles 07:00 How Francesca found this work through psychology and peer education 09:00 Finally having a name for what she experienced, and going public 11:00 What Umena means and the story behind the logo 13:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 14:00 Why prevention matters, and why children are especially vulnerable 15:00 Breaking down what "projection" really means 19:00 Inside Umena's model: community educators and school curriculum 21:00 Plans to expand beyond Madagascar 22:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 23:00 Building a program designed specifically around emotional abuse 27:00 Francesca's TED Talk, Umena, and a future book project 28:00 Francesca's advice for survivors 30:00 Closing thoughts If you or someone you know needs support: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (also available by text: START to 88788)  If this episode moved you, please subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

  2. Sep 23

    "We Punish Ourselves As If We Are the One Who Did It" | The Sedona Method with Stathis Glaros

    Stathis Glaros is a transformation coach based in Greece who works with the Sedona Method, an emotional release technique originally developed by Lester Levenson in the 1970s and carried forward today by Hale Dwoskin. In this episode, Stathis walks Marissa F. Cohen, and listeners, through what the method actually looks like in practice: naming a feeling, allowing it to be there, and asking a few simple questions that make it possible to let it go. Stathis explains the self-blame that so often shows up after trauma, the quiet reflex to believe "it was my fault" even when it clearly wasn't, and why trying to control or force away a difficult feeling tends to keep it stuck instead. Marissa and Stathis then walk through two live guided releases together on the episode, one on a present feeling and one on a past memory that still feels heavy, so listeners can experience the process rather than just hear about it. Stathis is candid that the Sedona Method is a training approach for releasing emotional pain, not a diagnosis, treatment, or cure for any health condition, and that it works alongside, not in place of, therapy or professional support when that's needed. This episode touches on domestic violence and sexual assault at a general level, and includes two brief live guided exercises. No graphic detail is discussed, but listener discretion is advised, and this content is educational, not a substitute for individual therapy or crisis support. Connect with Stathis Glaros: Website: welcominghappiness.gr Stathis is offering 8 free sessions to listeners of this episode. [Insert booking link here, first 8 to book will be confirmed free] This episode is sponsored by Foundations of Healthy Relationships, Marissa's six-week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships actually look and feel like. Learn more by joining the exclusive Instagram community, link in the show notes. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Healing From Emotional Abuse 02:55 Introducing Stathis Glaros and the Sedona Method 03:34 Where the Sedona Method comes from 05:15 Does this help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 07:55 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 08:30 How long the process usually takes 11:53 The five release techniques, starting with the first 16:09 Live guided release: a feeling in the present 21:54 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 22:43 Live guided release: a memory from the past 30:26 How the exercise felt, and what the two techniques do 31:18 How to work with Stathis, plus a free session giveaway 32:47 How to connect with Stathis 34:00 Closing thoughts If you or someone you know needs support: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (also available by text: START to 88788)  If this episode helped you, please subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.   TO JOIN THE INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  3. Sep 16

    "I Saw the Red Flags, But I Ignored Them" | Grace Oben on Healing From Emotional Abuse

    Grace Oben is a certified mental health and life coach with over 15 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In this conversation, Grace joins Marissa F. Cohen to talk about the patterns she sees most often in her work: the self-blame, the ignored red flags, and the moment survivors finally say, "enough is enough." Grace shares how the stigma around mental health has shifted over the years, both in the United States and in the culture she grew up in, and why education and open conversation are still the biggest tools we have. She also walks through two of the exercises she uses most with clients, including a mirror forgiveness practice that consistently brings up deep, unexpected emotion. Marissa shares her own experience recognizing warning signs in a past relationship and ignoring them, a reminder that ignoring red flags isn't a personal failing, it's a common and human response to fear and hope. This episode touches on domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. There is no graphic detail, but listener discretion is advised if these topics are difficult for you right now. Connect with Grace Oben: Website: providenceguide.com This episode is sponsored by Foundations of Healthy Relationships, Marissa's six-week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships actually look and feel like. Learn more by joining the exclusive Instagram community, link in the show notes. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Healing From Emotional Abuse 03:00 Introducing Grace Oben 04:00 How Grace got into mental health coaching 07:00 Mental health stigma in the U.S. and abroad 11:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 12:00 Grace's workshops, conferences, and upcoming recovery group 14:00 Working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 16:00 The patterns and warning signs Grace sees most often 20:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 21:00 The most common thing survivors say: "I caused it" 22:00 The mirror work exercise 24:00 Marissa's own experience recognizing red flags 26:00 Grace's advice for survivors 28:00 How to connect with Grace 29:00 Why self-love has to come first 30:00 Closing thoughts If you or someone you know needs support: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (also available by text: START to 88788)  If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.   TO JOIN THE INSTAGRAM CHANNEL FOR FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  4. Sep 9

    "You Can Be Breathed": Jackie Troller on How Breathwork Helps Release Trauma From the Body | Healing From Emotional Abuse

    In this episode of Healing From Emotional Abuse, host Marissa F. Cohen sits down with Jackie Troller, founder of Ocean Troller Snorkeling and Free Diving and Breakthrough Breathing, to talk about what the breath can teach us about trauma, tension, and healing. Jackie shares how a chance introduction to free diving turned into a career studying the science of breath holds, training Red Bull athletes and water rescue units, and coaching the crew on Avatar: The Way of Water. She explains why breathwork was showing up in PTSD research long before it showed up in her own life, how tension and trauma get stored in the body without us realizing it, and why telling someone in distress to "just take a deep breath" often backfires. The conversation moves into practical territory, including a guided breathing exercise you can follow along with, a visualization technique for separating yourself from anxious or traumatic feelings, and why Jackie believes so much of that tension lives in the diaphragm. She closes with real, usable advice for survivors who want to start working with their body instead of against it. Connect with Jackie Troller: breakthroughbreathing.com Learn more about Foundations of Healthy Relationships, a six week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships look like. Link in the show notes and on our Instagram community. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and podcast mission 00:03 Meet Jackie Troller 00:03 From marine science to free diving 00:05 Discovering the science of extended breath holds 00:06 How breathwork research connects to PTSD 00:07 What happens when we let go of body tension 00:08 Recognizing trauma stored in the body 00:09 The difference between holding a breath and being breathed 00:10 Why "just focus" and "just breathe" don't work 00:12 A simple technique to help someone in distress 00:14 Why the body needs to be part of trauma release 00:15 A guided exercise: the inhale and hold 00:16 Anxiety interrupters and playing with breath 00:17 Sponsor message: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:18 Recognizing anxiety in her own body 00:19 Visualizing tension as separate from yourself 00:21 A grounding exercise for anxious states 00:22 Working with trauma and sexual assault survivors 00:23 How breathwork helped one client's trauma trigger 00:24 Why trauma often lives in the diaphragm 00:25 A live guided breathing exercise 00:27 Meeting your body where it is 00:28 Working with high performance athletes 00:29 How to connect with Jackie and closing thoughts Subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse for more conversations on recognizing unhealthy patterns, setting boundaries, and building a life rooted in respect and peace.   TO JOIN THE INSTAGRAM CHANNEL FOR FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  5. Sep 2

    "I Thought He Was Going to Kill Me": Vicious Vickie on Surviving Abuse, Addiction, and the Wrestling World | Healing From Emotional Abuse

    In this episode of Healing From Emotional Abuse, host Marissa F. Cohen sits down with Vicious Vickie, a professional wrestler from the New Jersey independent scene, to talk about the experiences that shaped her long before she ever stepped into a ring. Vickie opens up about being sexually assaulted at 15 and the reputation-driven backlash that followed, an abusive high school relationship that escalated into a terrifying night she thought she might not survive, and the addiction and loss that came afterward. She talks candidly about getting sober, being sabotaged within the wrestling industry years later, and how that experience reopened trauma she thought she had already worked through. The back half of the conversation turns toward healing: the neuroscience behind why we can feel drawn back to chaos, what it took to build a relationship rooted in real communication, and the small, unexpected things that still trigger her today. She also shares her honest take on the wrestling industry's Speaking Out movement and closes with advice for anyone chasing a dream while carrying real weight. Content note: this conversation includes descriptions of sexual assault, physical abuse, and addiction. Please take care while listening. Learn more about Foundations of Healthy Relationships, a six week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships look like. Link in the show notes and on our Instagram community. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and podcast mission 00:03 Meet Vicious Vickie 00:03 A great childhood before the trauma began 00:05 Sexual assault at 15 and being disbelieved 00:07 Losing three family members in four months 00:07 An abusive relationship in high school 00:09 A terrifying night on the highway 00:11 Addiction, loss, and getting sober 00:14 When new trauma reopens old wounds 00:17 Being sabotaged in the wrestling industry 00:19 How abuse shows up in different forms 00:20 Recognizing trauma responses in real time 00:22 A painful relationship and a breaking point 00:26 Taking healing one day at a time 00:27 Preemptive defensiveness as a trauma response 00:29 The neuroscience behind trauma bonding 00:32 What a healthy relationship feels like now 00:36 Communication as the saving grace 00:38 Sponsor message: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:39 Triggers that show up in unexpected places 00:44 Wrestling, fans, and finding purpose 00:47 The Speaking Out movement and its aftermath 00:52 On movements, motives, and real survivors 00:53 Sponsor message: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:54 Advice for people entering wrestling 00:58 Closing thoughts and gratitude If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233, and RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-4673. Subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse for more conversations on recognizing unhealthy patterns, setting boundaries, and building a life rooted in respect and peace.   TO JOIN THE INSTAGRAM CHANNEL FOR FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  6. Aug 26

    "I Didn't Know What Unconditional Love Was": Tammy Vincent on Growing Up With Two Alcoholic Parents | Healing From Emotional Abuse

    In this episode of Healing From Emotional Abuse, host Marissa F. Cohen sits down with Tammy Vincent, bestselling author, speaker, and coach, to talk about growing up as the adult child of two alcoholic parents and what that early chaos did to her sense of safety, love, and identity for decades afterward. Tammy shares how she came to recognize complex PTSD in her own life, how dissociation became a survival tool she didn't even realize she was using, and what it was like to face a period of serious childhood harm with no way out. She also opens up about the moment she realized, at 26, that she didn't know what unconditional love was, and how that became the start of a decades long healing journey through Al-Anon, ACOA, therapy, and eventually coaching others through the same process. This episode also covers the science behind generational trauma, including how trauma can physically shape the body and get passed down, and closes with Tammy's honest advice for anyone still in survival mode. Content note: this conversation includes descriptions of childhood abuse and exploitation. Please take care while listening. Connect with Tammy Vincent: www.tammyvincent.com Learn more about Foundations of Healthy Relationships, a six week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships look like. Link in the show notes and on our Instagram community. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and podcast mission 00:03 Meet Tammy Vincent 00:03 Growing up with two alcoholic parents 00:05 A childhood custody battle 00:06 Recognizing complex PTSD 00:07 A period of serious harm and exploitation 00:08 Dissociation as a coping mechanism 00:09 Sponsor message: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:10 How childhood trauma shaped her adult relationships 00:11 Becoming a parent and facing old patterns 00:12 The science of generational trauma 00:15 A study on inherited fear responses 00:17 Finding support through Al-Anon and ACOA 00:19 Trying every healing modality 00:20 Sponsor message: Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:21 Mindfulness, letting go, and moving forward 00:22 Advice for survivors 00:23 Tammy's book and how to work with her 00:24 Closing thoughts If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse for more conversations on recognizing unhealthy patterns, setting boundaries, and building a life rooted in respect and peace.   Join The Foundations of Healthy Relationships exclusive Instagram community here: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  7. Aug 19

    From Love Bombing to Freedom: Heather Safory on Leaving a Narcissistic Marriage | Healing From Emotional Abuse

    In this episode of Healing From Emotional Abuse, host Marissa F. Cohen sits down with Heather Safory, a certified high performance coach and certified core energy coach, to talk about her journey through a ten year marriage marked by love bombing, gaslighting, and emotional abuse and how she rebuilt her life and identity on the other side. Heather opens up about the early relationship patterns that set the stage for her marriage, the health crisis that became a turning point, what post separation contact with a narcissistic co-parent actually looks like, and the small daily choices that helped her reconnect with herself. She also shares how core energy coaching and high performance coaching can support anyone working to build a more intentional life. If you are recognizing these patterns in your own relationship or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers practical language and real steps forward. Connect with Heather Safory and Decide to Rise Coaching: www.decidetorisecoaching.com Learn more about Foundations of Healthy Relationships, a six week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships look like. Link in the show notes and on our Instagram community. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and podcast mission 00:03 Meet Heather Safory 00:03 Early relationship patterns and love bombing 00:06 Marriage, gaslighting, and a health crisis 00:08 Loss of her father and a sponsor message 00:10 Leaving the marriage and post separation abuse 00:11 Co-parenting with a narcissistic ex 00:14 Building a support system after isolation 00:16 A message from Foundations of Healthy Relationships 00:17 Rebuilding community after isolation 00:19 The healing journey and rediscovering herself 00:22 Core energy coaching and high performance coaching explained 00:24 Advice for survivors and how to reach Heather If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse for more conversations on recognizing unhealthy patterns, setting boundaries, and building a life rooted in respect and peace. #HealingFromEmotionalAbuse #NarcissisticAbuse #DomesticAbuseAwareness #SurvivorStory #HealthyRelationships #Coparenting #Podcast To join the Foundations of Healthy Relationship Instagram Community, click on this link: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbbgOHlUYPYDdZBq/

  8. Aug 12

    Laura Richards: Healing After 33 Years of Emotional Abuse and Narcissistic Patterns

    Marissa sits down with Laura Richards, speech therapist turned podcaster and host of That's Where I'm At Podcast, for a candid conversation about her 33-year marriage and the emotional abuse she didn't have language for until near the end. Laura shares how she started noticing the patterns, what gaslighting actually felt like from the inside, and how she's rebuilding her life nine months into her divorce. They talk about identifying safe friendships, why vulnerability (not just community) is what helps people heal, and how Laura uses journaling, walking, and humor as part of her recovery. It's an honest, often funny, always grounded conversation about what it takes to name what happened to you and move forward anyway. Connect with Laura: thatswhereimatpodcast.com Coaching with Marissa: www.coachingwithmarissa.com A note: this episode discusses emotional abuse and relationship trauma. If it brings anything up for you, please consider reaching out to a trusted friend or a professional for support. One thing worth flagging: the transcript uses "narcissist" fairly loosely throughout as Laura's own personal shorthand for her ex, which is fine as her lived description.

See All (154)

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Healing From Emotional Abuse is the award-winning podcast helping survivors recognize red flags, set boundaries, and rebuild their lives after toxic relationships. Hosted by relationship wellness educator Marissa F. Cohen and co-host Sami Litchert, this show explores emotional abuse, narcissistic relationships, gaslighting, trauma recovery, and what healthy love actually looks like—without judgment or expert ego. What You'll Learn: ✨ How to recognize emotional abuse and manipulation tactics ✨ Setting boundaries in dating, family, and workplace relationships ✨ Healing from narcissistic abuse and rebuilding self-worth ✨ Red flags in relationships (and green flags to look for) ✨ Recovering from sexual assault and intimate partner violence ✨ Communication skills for healthy relationships ✨ Trauma-informed strategies for emotional healing Why Listeners Love This Podcast: 🏆 Purple Ribbon Award Winner (DomesticShelters.org) 🌍 Top 10% of podcasts globally 🎙️ 130+ episodes featuring survivors, therapists, and relationship experts 💜 Authentic conversations—real stories, practical advice, zero shame Whether you're healing from past abuse, supporting a loved one, or learning to build healthier relationships, this podcast gives you the tools, community, and hope you need to thrive. New episodes weekly covering narcissistic personality disorder, codependency, divorce recovery, dating after abuse, consent education, and reclaiming your power. Your healing journey starts here. Subscribe now.

Information

  • Creator
    Marissa F. Cohen
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Healing From Emotional Abuse

You Might Also Like