by Christine Hammond on December 14, 2019
When a parent physically abuses their child, it leaves marks and outbursts of anger in the child. When they verbally abuse their child, it strips them of self-confidence and instills fear. When they sexually abuse their child, it destroys the possibility of intimacy and healthy sexuality. But when a parent mentally abuses their child by… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on November 1, 2019
Kelly Gant, a Colorado mother, was charged with 13 criminal counts for the 2017 death of her 7-year-old daughter, Olivia. Olivia was a Make-a-Wish recipient in which she was dressed up as a “Bat Princess” so she could rescue Disney princesses from their villains. Her mother claimed that Olivia had a terminal illness that attacked… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
The child and the narcissist seem like polar opposites. The narcissistic parent is typically insensitive and uncaring towards the needs of others. By contrast, their child seems overly compassionate, caring, and highly attuned (almost to the point of compulsion) to needs of others. The child fails to see anything wrong with their narcissistic parent and… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Ever wondered what abuse sounds like? What do abusers say to their victims to get them to acquiesce? Some of the statements listed below might even sound acceptable in certain environments, but they are not. Abusive behavior is pervasive and without awareness, it will continue. There are seven major types of abuse. Physical abuse is… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on June 11, 2017
Abuse has a pattern similar to addiction. Once the abuser has utilized an abusive method for a long period of time, the victim develops a tolerance to the abuse so it no longer has the same effect. This aggravates the abuser who then escalates. It should be noted that there are seven primary ways a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on April 11, 2017
Hands down, the number one question I get asked in therapy is “Why would they do this?” Mostly, this stems from a person who has been abused and is trying desperately to understand why their attacker is abusive. There are seven forms of abuse: verbal, mental, emotional, physical, sexual, financial, and spiritual. After a person… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on December 10, 2016
A bruise should not be the requirement for evidence of parental abuse. There are many other ways a child can be harmed. While this list may not be all-inclusive, it is meant to expand on the traditional definition of child abuse. Most states recognize some aspects of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect but fail… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on May 19, 2016
Sometimes clients come into a first session with amazing stories. Knowing whether a story is real or false can make the difference between notifying authorities, making false accusations, referring the client, or pursuing other treatment options. I had two clients, such clients. Client A told me a story of witnessing child abuse done by a… (more…)