An important lesson I realized in my own recovery was that my level of self-respect was at stake every time I allowed my own happiness to be set aside for the well-being of my abuser.

For the trauma survivor, safety is paramount. Dr. Stephen Porges, the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, says, “Safety is the treatment for trauma.’ When a young child is absent of a strong attachment to their caregiver, they can feel unsafe.