relationship . The emotional hold Pam wielded over her was overwhelming , making it nearly impossible for Bernadine to see the situation for what it was — abuse .
Breaking free and starting to heal
Eventually , Bernadine found a way to break free , but the damage had been done . Her trust was shattered and the trauma of being abused by someone she trusted and who was meant to heal left her questioning everything she thought she knew about recovery , mental health and trust . She lost her therapist , but she also lost a piece of herself in that process , left to rebuild yet again , this time with fewer illusions about the safeguards in place to protect vulnerable clients .
Writing Coming to Voice : Surviving an Abusive Therapist
Writing became a tool of survival and clarity . Her book , Coming to Voice : Surviving an Abusive Therapist seeks to make sense of the betrayals she had endured and witnessed . Writing in the third person , she found a voice that was safe enough to explore the depth of her pain . In crafting her story , Bernadine was able to examine her experiences and begin to process them . This memoir was a bold claim of ownership over her own life story and an invitation for others to break their silence .
Advocating for survivors of therapy abuse
With her book , Bernadine wanted to provide hope and insight for others who had suffered in similar ways . Her book serves as a guide , shedding light on what therapy abuse looks like , how it manifests and the damage it causes . She wanted readers to understand the power dynamics in therapeutic relationships , especially the potential dangers when that trust is misused . And for those who might feel isolated by their experiences , her book is a reminder that they are not alone and that their stories matter .
With the book completed , Bernadine ’ s journey took on a new dimension . She began advocating for survivors of therapy abuse , channeling her pain and insights into helping others navigate their own recoveries . Partnering with Therapy Exploitation Link Line ( TELL ), Bernadine works tirelessly to support others who have experienced similar betrayals . Through this organization , her advocacy is about speaking out and creating a community for survivors , offering them resources , connection and a platform to share their stories without fear or shame .
Addressing misconceptions and PTSD education
Bernadine ' s work with TELL also allows her to address one of the greatest misunderstandings around trauma and PTSD : the idea that it ’ s linear or easily overcome . For most , PTSD is not a ‘ fixable ’ issue but a complex , chronic reality that resurfaces throughout life . With years of managing her own PTSD , Bernadine knows firsthand that the healing process is anything but straightforward . Society ’ s misconceptions often worsen the experience , suggesting that trauma is a weakness or something that should be easily resolved with the right therapy . Bernadine challenges these ideas , reminding others that healing is nonlinear and deeply personal , with setbacks and successes that shape , rather than define , the survivor .
Creating awareness and empowering survivors
Advocacy , for her , is both a mission and a way to continue her own recovery . She believes that society must do more to recognize the dangers of therapy abuse , educate therapists on the consequences of boundary violations , and , perhaps most importantly , empower survivors to trust themselves . As a culture , she argues , we need to move away from pathologizing survival responses like PTSD and dissociative identities , instead seeing them as coping mechanisms — extraordinary tools the brain uses to protect itself in the face of overwhelming trauma .
Supporting healing in others
Bernadine ’ s advocacy is grounded in the idea that trauma survivors should have ownership over their stories . She wants to see a world where mental health is approached with empathy , education and understanding and where survivors of abuse within the therapy system are not blamed , ignored or further traumatized . Her work with TELL allows her to offer direct support to other survivors , while her book and public speaking spread awareness on a larger scale . Ultimately , Bernadine has found her voice , and through her work , she helps others find theirs , proving that no matter how painful the journey , healing and hope are always within reach .
Mental Health
Bernadine ’ s mental health journey is a complex story of survival , strength and transformation .
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