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Domestic violence, emotional abuse & support
If you are trying to understand abuse, support someone you care about, or hear from people who have lived through it, these conversations offer different starting points. They include personal accounts of domestic violence and spiritual abuse. You can choose whether and when to listen; support is available without listening to an episode first.
Conversations hosted by Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS.
A little context before you listen
Can domestic abuse happen without physical violence?
Yes. Relationship abuse can involve a pattern of intimidation, threats, isolation, financial control, or other coercive behavior. Physical violence is not the only form. A domestic violence advocate can help you talk through concerns and options without requiring you to decide on a label first.
Learn more: National Domestic Violence Hotline: understanding relationship abuse.
Which interviews include faith and spiritual abuse?
Episodes 10, 70, 90, and 92 all discuss abuse alongside faith. They bring different perspectives: a counselor and survivor, an attorney, and people sharing lived experience and recovery work. An interview is not an individual safety plan or legal consultation.
Where would you like to begin?
Episode 92
Recovery, self-advocacy, and community
Anna Marie Lopes, an abuse-recovery and post-traumatic growth coach, shares her experience of domestic violence and spiritual abuse. She discusses support, self-advocacy, and the different roles coaching and licensed therapy can play in a person’s recovery.
Original episode: Healing After Domestic Violence & Spiritual Abuse with Anna Marie Lopes, Abuse-Recovery & Post-Traumatic Growth Coach
Episode 70
Questions about an abusive marriage, faith, and legal support
Leesha C. Newkirk, JD, discusses spiritual abuse, separation, parenting concerns, and the value of informed legal support. Her interview offers an attorney’s perspective; individual options and laws depend on a person’s circumstances and jurisdiction.
Original episode: Leaving an Abusive Christian Marriage: Legal & Faith-Based Support with Leesha C. Newkirk, JD
Episode 10
A counselor’s personal story of surviving domestic violence
Dr. Kate Johnson shares her experience of an abusive marriage, church responses, and the role of support in rebuilding her life. Diana and Kate also discuss distinctions among biblical, Christian, and secular counseling.
Original episode: Untangling the Threads: Insights on Biblical, Christian, and Secular Counseling and Her Personal Story of Overcoming Domestic Violence
Episode 90
Abuse hidden behind a public faith story
Naghmeh Abedini Panahi describes recognizing spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse and the pressure surrounding public ministry. Her account offers one survivor’s perspective rather than a set of steps every person should follow.
Original episode: Christian Spiritual Abuse & Recovery: Story of Abuse, Purity Culture & Freedom
Questions to take with you
- What kind of support would feel useful and accessible to me right now?
- What would I like to ask a confidential advocate about my options or about supporting someone else?
These prompts are invitations to reflect, not a screening tool or a diagnosis.
Keep exploring the archive
The following episodes also mention domestic violence or relationship abuse in their titles, show notes, or available transcripts. Some mentions are brief. They are additional places to explore after the featured interviews.
Browse 20 more episodes mentioning this topic
- Episode 121 · How to Heal Betrayal Trauma, Porn Addiction, and Rebuild Trust in Relationships with Brannon Patrick, LCSW & Tyler Patrick, LMFTRead transcript
- Episode 107 · Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Attachment, Cycles, and How Couples Heal with Dr. Marni FeuermanRead transcript
- Episode 103 · Why Men Struggle With Emotions: Fixer-Type Masculinity, Anger, and Healing w/ Jon Waller, LMHCRead transcript
- Episode 99 · TMS Explained - A Clear, Compassionate Conversation with PMHNP Jackie SimonRead transcript
- Episode 93 · Christian Mom Guilt & Presence: Renewing Your Mind in Christ with Mama Coach Sindy LoveRead transcript
- Episode 91 · CBT, DBT & Renewing the Mind: Practical Tools for Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome & Emotional Regulation w Dr. Lisa NapolitanoRead transcript
- Episode 87 · Brazilian Mental Health, Immigration Stress & Culturally Competent Therapy with Lidiana Cartolano, LMHC (Bilingual Portuguese Therapist in Florida)Read transcript
- Episode 85 · What Is OCPD? Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder with Darryl Rossignol of The OCPD FoundationRead transcript
- Episode 78 · Healing Your Money Story — Emotional Spending, IFS, and Financial Peace with Jennifer Schrappe, LPCC-SRead transcript
- Episode 66 · Escaping Spiritual Abuse & Church Trauma: Healing After High-Control Religion w/ Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHCRead transcript
- Special Episode: When the Unthinkable Happens — Mental Health Support After TragedyRead transcript
- Episode 58 · Untwisting Spiritual Abuse: How Scripture Gets Weaponized—and How to Heal with Rebecca Davis, Author & Trauma-Informed Christian Book CoachRead transcript
- Episode 54 · He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not… But God Does — Healing Heartbreak, Church Hurt & Identity with Author Sharon FeingoldRead transcript
- Episode 49 · Mastering DBT: Tammy Berman, LMHC, NCC, on BPD, Emotional Regulation & HealingRead transcript
- Episode 48 · Healing Trauma, Immigrant Mental Health, and the Safe & Sound Protocol with Rosaura Hincapie, LMHCRead transcript
- Episode 45 · Faith, Doubt & Healing: Overcoming Spiritual Crisis with Andrea Lahoud, LMHC, CIMHPRead transcript
- Episode 43 · Rekindle Love and Build a Christ-Centered Marriage | Kingsley Grant, LMFT, CRC, Author of The Joyful WifeRead transcript
- Episode 42 · Healing Birth Trauma and Navigating Motherhood with Jaquesta Michelle, LCSWRead transcript
- Episode 9 · Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul: Elevating Mental Health Through Chiropractic Care, Nutrition, and the Power of ForgivenessRead transcript
- Episode 4 · Breaking the Silence: A Trauma Therapist's Journey with ACEs and cPTSDRead transcript