‘Abuse and Trauma’ Questions at Ask the Psychologist: Online Clinical Psychologist

Q: I am a 22-year-old female who has been dating my now 34-year-old boyfriend for 5 years.
After the first year of our relationship his true character became evident to me. He is an alcoholic who, when drunk, becomes violent toward only me. I’ve spent the past 4 years of my relationship being physically and emotionally [...]

Q: I have known my ex-boyfriend for 7 years. We still speak to each other now as friends. He’s mentioned before that he is a sociopath. But I was wondering whether a professional would see him that way.
My friend never met his dad. He left his mum when she was pregnant at 16. When [...]

Q: When I was 6 years old, I threatened my mom with a kitchen knife. I didn’t have any real intentions to use it. I was tired and mad at her for some reason or another, and it just sort of happened. After she took the knife away from me, she told my father. My [...]

Q: I need some advice please. I’m a 19-year-old girl, currently unemployed, and just out of college. I’m very self-obsessed. I always find fault with my appearance. I’m very concerned with how other people see me, so much so that it has stopped me going out very often. I’m always finding fault with my facial [...]

Q: I have read your book In Sheep’s Clothing and found it a very valuable guide to understanding and dealing with two of my stepchildren. One of them threatened to kill me four years ago, and he never backed down, apologized for his actions, or sought counseling. As a result, he is not allowed to [...]