Listen again as we unpack what coercive control really looks like, why it’s so hard to spot and how to support someone who might be living in its shadow – because naming it is often the first step to stopping it.

Domestic abuse doesn’t always leave bruises. Sometimes, it’s silent, subtle and just as devastating. In this week’s episode, Maria McHale shines a light on coercive control, the often-invisible form of abuse that chips away at a person’s freedom, confidence, and sense of safety. Now a criminal offence in Ireland, coercive control involves ongoing manipulation, isolation, threats and fear – without necessarily involving physical violence.

Maria is joined by Allison O’Neill, psychotherapist and expert in conflict resolution, who brings deep insight and a practical formula to help us understand this complex dynamic. You can find out more about Allison and her work at https://mindandbodyworks.com/