You sense something is wrong in your relationship — but you can't quite put it into words?
You walk on eggshells to avoid their reactions. You doubt your own perception of events. You apologize for things you didn't do. You swing between hope and despair, between wanting to leave and being terrified of doing so.

What you're experiencing has a name. And this book will help you understand it, name it, and most importantly — break free from it.

Written by a CBT psychotherapist (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), this reference guide draws on the latest scientific research to decode the mechanisms of manipulation and coercive control — and give you concrete tools to escape.

What you will discover in this book
Understanding what you're going through:

The 10 warning signs of a toxic relationship — and why they are so hard to recognize from the inside
The difference between a normal couple's conflict and a truly toxic relationship
Trauma bonding: how your brain creates a chemical dependency on the person who is hurting you
Gaslighting: the 8 techniques used to make you doubt your own reality
The 4-phase cycle of coercive control: honeymoon, tension, explosion, reconciliation
The narcissistic manipulator profile: grandiose, vulnerable, and how to recognize them

Taking action and rebuilding:

Scientifically validated CBT strategies to break free from coercive control
Cognitive restructuring: identifying and changing the thoughts that keep you trapped
Gradual exposure: rebuilding confidence step by step
Self-compassion: stop blaming yourself and start rebuilding
Setting new boundaries: learning to say no without guilt
Relapse prevention: a personalized plan to never fall into the trap again

A deeply practical book
This is not a theoretical book. Each chapter contains:

Detailed case studies — 15 clinical stories (Nathalie, 34, under her partner's coercive control; Benoit, 52, victimized by his sister; Camille, 28, facing gaslighting; and 12 other journeys) that will help you recognize your own situation
Practical CBT exercises — The warning signs journal, emotional mapping, reality journal, 5-column cognitive restructuring, self-compassion letter, healthy relationship checklist
Verified scientific references — Every concept is supported by the latest publications in clinical psychology

Who is this book for?

You are in a relationship that drains you and you don't know if it's "normal"
You have left a toxic relationship and are trying to understand what happened
You want to avoid falling into the same pattern again
You are supporting a loved one in a coercive control situation
You are a mental health professional looking to deepen your understanding of the subject

"The first step toward freedom always begins the same way: naming what you're going through."

About the author

Gildas Garrec is a CBT psychotherapist (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Author of over 470 articles on psychologieetserenite.com, he has developed a complete ecosystem of online therapeutic tools: 68 psychological tests, 8 structured programs, and ScanMyLove, a couple's conversational analysis tool based on 14 clinical models.

"The Essentials of Applied Psychology" collection — 13 books to understand, take action, and move forward.

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