Coming out of an abusive relationship can feel like standing in the wreckage of a life you thought you understood. Your mind is trying to piece together what was real, your body is on high alert, and your heart may be swinging between grief, anger, numbness and confusion.

If this is where you are right now, I want you to know: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone.

In this post, I’m going to share a gentle framework I use with clients who are healing after abuse. I call it The Three A’s:

• Awareness

• Acknowledgement

• Acceptance