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Recognizing red flags early makes it easier to protect your peace, your confidence, and your safety. In this video, Marissa F. Cohen walks through 11 common signs of a toxic relationship and what healthy behavior looks like in contrast, so you can spot unhealthy patterns sooner and respond with clarity. You will learn how to recognize: Deflection and blame-shifting that leaves you doubting yourself Broken promises and unreliable behavior Disrespected boundaries Revenge and spite One-sided give and take Personal information used against you Isolation from friends and family Words that do not match actions Accusations and lack of trust Controlling behavior around your body, money, time, and beliefs Jealousy of your goals and constant negativity These are common patterns of unhealthy relationships, shared for education and awareness. They are not a diagnosis of any person, and no single sign tells the whole story. If several of these feel familiar, you deserve support from people trained to help. Content note: this video discusses emotional abuse and controlling behavior in general terms. There is no graphic detail. Free Safety Planning Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sei4dRPlMkIPXOV__xwDW6ojGR-5iTQ7/view?usp=drive_link Work with Marissa: Schedule a call: [email protected] Website: https://marissafayecohen.com/ Email: [email protected] Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:52 Why recognizing red flags matters 03:22 1. Deflection and blame-shifting 03:46 2. Loyalty, reliability, and keeping promises 04:21 3. Disrespected boundaries 05:28 4. Spite and revenge 07:00 5. One-sided give and take 07:24 6. Personal information used against you 08:04 7. Dislike of your family and friends 08:33 8. Words that do not match actions 09:07 9. Lack of trust and false accusations 09:41 10. Controlling behavior 10:37 11. Jealousy of your goals 11:16 If this sounds familiar 11:33 Where to find support and the free safety planning guide If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. For support in the U.S.: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788)  This video is educational and is not therapy, diagnosis, legal advice, or emergency guidance. Subscribe to Healing From Emotional Abuse for weekly conversations on recognizing unhealthy patterns, setting boundaries, and rebuilding confidence. #ToxicRelationship #RedFlags #EmotionalAbuse #HealthyRelationships #Boundaries #Gaslighting #SurvivorSupport #HealingFromEmotionalAbuse #MarissaFCohen #RelationshipAdvice

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.

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/

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/