Coercive Control: Recognise, Manage, Change

In this course, psychologist Dr. Michael Acton addresses the three parts of dealing with coercive control in a relationship: recognising when it is present, helping a client accept that they are in such a relationship, and implementing strategies to help. Describing and exploring the experience of those who have survived abusive relationships, Dr. Acton stresses the need to understand the role and impact of illusion, delusion, and gaslighting, and the disappointment inherent in thinking that the abuser changed, only to realise that they acted differently for a period to hook the abusee in again. Looking out for the safety of the abusee as they face the reality of the abuse is supremely important, as well as for practitioners to “tell our truth”. Dr. Acton observes that we are all “gatekeepers” here, as it takes an abusee much courage and numerous attempts to permanently leave a relationship in which they have been subject to coercive control.