Recognizing and Overcoming Emotional Abuse: A Conversation with Marissa F. Cohen

In this episode, Laura is joined by Marissa F. Cohen, the Founder of the Healing From Emotional Abuse Philosophy™, 6x best-selling and award-winning author,  top podcaster, and international speaker. She received the 2023 Purple Ribbon Award from DomesticShelters.org as Survivor of the Year! She was named Top 10 Most Inspirational Female Entrepreneur on International Women’s Day and shared a stage with Jack Canfield, Joe Theismann, and James Malinchak. Marissa’s award-winning Podcast, Healing From Emotional Abuse, has ranked Top 10% Globally and is a Top Podcast in 25 countries. Marissa’s interactive presentations focus on healthy relationships, setting boundaries, and how to be a proactive student leader and advocate for your peers. 

Today, she shares her journey of surviving an emotionally abusive relationship that started during college. They discuss the phases of abuse, and Marissa emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags, setting boundaries, and understanding the impact of abuse on the brain's neurological responses. They further discuss the impact of abuse on mental health and share valuable insights and tips for recovery. Marissa emphasizes the importance of speaking about abuse, finding validation, and connecting with others who have had similar experiences. 

Tune in, learn, and get inspired!

[00:55] Marissa’s background

[02:04] Some of the things that Marissa talks about

[03:59] Marissa’s story

[09:05] Some of the red flags that people should look out for in a relationship

[15:42] The three phases of abuse

[20:06] Ways that Marissa feels like she abandoned her real self

[22:31] Why a lot of people gain weight when they leave an abusive relationship

[23:48] Some of the things that Marissa did to abandon herself

[30:34] Some of the little things that translate to abuse

[31:25] The best time to leave an abusive relationship

[36:36] Tips to help you deal with mental health

[38:13] How journaling can be a good tool for emotional healing

• When people start def not defending, I'm sorry, uh, accusing you of cheating. Yes. It's usually because they're cheating. Right. They're projecting that on you. They want to make you feel like you are doing something wrong, which then discredits you and justifies your behavior. 
• Biologically and neurologically, we change. Our whole body changes from abuse. Our brain will start shooting off dopamine at the wrong times. So we experience joy when we are in conflict.
• People will oftentimes, especially after a sexual assault, make the choice to look differently. They'll start to binge eat because they think they're unattractive or less attractive, which I'm not fat shaming at all. But, like psychology, if you feel like you're less attractive, you are less likely to be targeted again. And that's honestly just not the case because all of these things are not about sexual fulfillment or love. It's about power and control, both scenarios.
• So I don't think there's one clear-cut, aha moment for people to say, okay, now it's time to get out. When you start to see those patterns, abuse is just a pattern of these behaviors. Okay. It's a pattern of abuse, like moments of control and power. And so when you see it and finally recognize it, that's the time to leave.

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Journals: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laura-Richards/author/B09TX5ZW46?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

www.MarissaFayeCohen.com

www.HealWithMarissa.com

PublishWithMarissa.com

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