Christian Women and Emotional Abuse

About the Book

Are you experiencing stress or anxiety in your personal relationships? Do intimate family members such as a spouse treat you with disrespect or bullying? If you are an emotionally abused woman this self-help book is designed to help you make an informed decision about whether to stay or leave an abusive relationship. You will be guided through various steps designed to educate you about your own personality, as well as that of your abuser. It is important that you grieve the loss of hope that you can change your abusers’ way of thinking. You will be encouraged to challenge your mistaken beliefs, and learn strategies for tackling your anxiety. Once you have a clear picture of your abuser’s personality disorder you will learn how to handle interactions with him or her. Learning assertiveness will enable you to take control of your life and prepare for the ongoing challenges in your abusive relationship. The risks involved in staying or leaving are also reviewed and strategies to protect yourself regardless of your decision are discussed. If your abuser is a parent where there may not be an option of leaving, specific strategies can also be applied. Finally, a checklist to assist you in making healthy future relationship choices is reviewed. If you follow the strategies and readings suggested in this book you will discover a new sense of freedom to engage assertively with the abusive people in your life, teach them to respect you and experience true peace.

About the Author

Dr. Laraine Birnie is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist who has worked in inpatient, outpatient and family court clinic settings in Canada and Jamaica. She was chief psychologist at a psychiatric rehabilitation center and appeared as an expert witness in family court regarding child custody cases. She spent 3 years as assistant professor of psychology at Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. She has worked in private practice for almost three decades with women suffering from emotional and psychological abuse. This book is a culmination of the strategies she developed working with those women. Dr. Birnie is the mother of two cherished daughters (Sarah and Carolyn) both psychologists, and five grandchildren (Owen and Miles in Halifax and Mira, Nathan and Noelle in Ottawa). Her previous book, Counselling the Abused Christian Woman (2023) was designed to help counsellors, whereas this book was written for abused women themselves. Her website is drlarainebirnie.com