Coercive control doesn’t end when you separate or divorce. In fact, it can shift into new forms, especially within legal systems and extended social circles. Understanding your rights and recognizing these patterns helps you protect yourself and regain power.
Coercive Control & Your Legal Rights: Navigating Post-Separation Challenges
How Coercive Control Shows Up During and After Separation
Separation or divorce can be a critical time when coercive control tactics intensify or transform. The abuser may use court systems and legal processes to continue their control and intimidation.
Filing Frivolous Motions: Overwhelming you with excessive court filings designed to exhaust your emotional and financial resources.
False Allegations: Making unfounded claims to portray you as unstable, dangerous, or unfit, often involving children.
Delayed Proceedings: Using legal tactics to drag out cases, keeping you trapped in uncertainty.
Manipulating Custody & Visitation: Using children as pawns to maintain control, restrict your access, or punish you.
Courtroom Gaslighting: Denying abuse or twisting facts to make you question your own reality.
Filing Frivolous Motions: Overwhelming you with excessive court filings designed to exhaust your emotional and financial resources.
False Allegations: Making unfounded claims to portray you as unstable, dangerous, or unfit, often involving children.
Delayed Proceedings: Using legal tactics to drag out cases, keeping you trapped in uncertainty.
Manipulating Custody & Visitation: Using children as pawns to maintain control, restrict your access, or punish you.
Courtroom Gaslighting: Denying abuse or twisting facts to make you question your own reality.
Understanding these tactics is the first step toward countering them effectively.
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She is very knowledgeable and strategic about dealing with high conflict personalities, DV, custody and legal matters. Every case is different, and she uses her knowledge and heart into helping her clients with everything from personal to legal issues that come with the dark side of Family Court
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What other clients have shared:
Coercive control often extends beyond the abuser, impacting your interactions with family and social networks:
In-Laws and Former In-Laws: May act as enablers, repeating narratives that justify the abuser’s behavior or isolate you further.
Mutual Friends: Can be recruited to gather information, spread rumors, or pressure you to reconcile.
Community Organizations & Social Circles: Groups you once trusted may be subtly influenced by the abuser to sideline or discredit you.
Recognizing these dynamics helps in setting boundaries and planning safety.
In-Laws and Former In-Laws: May act as enablers, repeating narratives that justify the abuser’s behavior or isolate you further.
Mutual Friends: Can be recruited to gather information, spread rumors, or pressure you to reconcile.
Community Organizations & Social Circles: Groups you once trusted may be subtly influenced by the abuser to sideline or discredit you.
Recognizing these dynamics helps in setting boundaries and planning safety.
The Role of In-Laws, Former In-Laws & Mutual Connections
Extended Networks as Control Instruments
Your Legal Rights and Protections
While coercive control tactics can feel overwhelming, the legal system offers protections:
Restraining / Protection Orders:
Available in many jurisdictions to limit abuser’s contact.
Family Court Support:
Advocates and specialized counselors can assist during custody and divorce proceedings.
Evidence Documentation:
Collecting and presenting clear, consistent information about abuse can strengthen your case.
Legal Representation:
Hiring attorneys familiar with coercive control and abuse dynamics is critical.
Reporting Abuse Outside Intimate Partner Context:
Coercive control in workplaces, community groups, or religious contexts may fall under harassment, discrimination, or abuse policies/laws.
Restraining / Protection Orders:
Available in many jurisdictions to limit abuser’s contact.
Family Court Support:
Advocates and specialized counselors can assist during custody and divorce proceedings.
Evidence Documentation:
Collecting and presenting clear, consistent information about abuse can strengthen your case.
Legal Representation:
Hiring attorneys familiar with coercive control and abuse dynamics is critical.
Reporting Abuse Outside Intimate Partner Context:
Coercive control in workplaces, community groups, or religious contexts may fall under harassment, discrimination, or abuse policies/laws.
Navigating Legal and Social Challenges with Support
The legal aftermath of coercive control can be isolating and confusing. Working with me, you’ll receive:
We bring expertise in spotting attorney-enhanced coercive control and crafting strategies that stand up in court. We help you ask the right questions of attorneys and other professionals, and read the room when someone has ulterior motives.
We guide you in building credible, impactful evidence, while planning for the extended family and social dynamics that can escalate a case. You’ll get steady emotional and somatic support to protect your wellbeing during the process, plus practical tools to reclaim your voice and agency under pressure.
We guide you in building credible, impactful evidence, while planning for the extended family and social dynamics that can escalate a case. You’ll get steady emotional and somatic support to protect your wellbeing during the process, plus practical tools to reclaim your voice and agency under pressure.
Traning & Experience
Credentials & Affiliations
Certified Family Law & DV Mediator (Judicial)
Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (Dr. Ramani Durvasula)
Certified DSTT Practitioner (Dr. Omar Minwalla)
Certified Coercive Control Specialist (Dr. Christine Cocchiola)
Certified in intimate partner violence, DV, and deceptive sexuality trauma
Certified High-Conflict Divorce Coach (Under Tina Swithin)
Associate Member, American Bar Association, Family Law Section
Contributor, DomesticShelters.org and other national DV advocacy platforms
Experienced Somatic Practitioner integrating trauma-informed healing with legal advocacy
Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (Dr. Ramani Durvasula)
Certified DSTT Practitioner (Dr. Omar Minwalla)
Certified Coercive Control Specialist (Dr. Christine Cocchiola)
Certified in intimate partner violence, DV, and deceptive sexuality trauma
Certified High-Conflict Divorce Coach (Under Tina Swithin)
Associate Member, American Bar Association, Family Law Section
Contributor, DomesticShelters.org and other national DV advocacy platforms
Experienced Somatic Practitioner integrating trauma-informed healing with legal advocacy
Post-separation life after coercive control often feels like a complex maze, but it is possible to reclaim peace and autonomy.
- Setting firm boundaries with former partners, in-laws, and mutual contacts.
- Accessing community resources designed for survivors.
- Healing emotional and nervous system impacts with trauma-informed support.
- Building a future rooted in your safety, truth, and empowerment.
Empowering Your Path Forward
For foundational understanding and healing from coercive control itself, please visit:
“Freedom From Invisible Chains: Healing from Coercive Control.”
“Freedom From Invisible Chains: Healing from Coercive Control.”
