Grace Oben is a certified mental health and life coach with over 15 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In this conversation, Grace joins Marissa F. Cohen to talk about the patterns she sees most often in her work: the self-blame, the ignored red flags, and the moment survivors finally say, "enough is enough."
Grace shares how the stigma around mental health has shifted over the years, both in the United States and in the culture she grew up in, and why education and open conversation are still the biggest tools we have. She also walks through two of the exercises she uses most with clients, including a mirror forgiveness practice that consistently brings up deep, unexpected emotion. Marissa shares her own experience recognizing warning signs in a past relationship and ignoring them, a reminder that ignoring red flags isn't a personal failing, it's a common and human response to fear and hope.
This episode touches on domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. There is no graphic detail, but listener discretion is advised if these topics are difficult for you right now.
Connect with Grace Oben: Website: providenceguide.com
This episode is sponsored by Foundations of Healthy Relationships, Marissa's six-week guided experience to help you recognize unhealthy patterns, build stronger boundaries, and learn what healthy relationships actually look and feel like. Learn more by joining the exclusive Instagram community, link in the show notes.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Healing From Emotional Abuse
03:00 Introducing Grace Oben
04:00 How Grace got into mental health coaching
07:00 Mental health stigma in the U.S. and abroad
11:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships
12:00 Grace's workshops, conferences, and upcoming recovery group
14:00 Working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
16:00 The patterns and warning signs Grace sees most often
20:00 Sponsor: Foundations of Healthy Relationships
21:00 The most common thing survivors say: "I caused it"
22:00 The mirror work exercise
24:00 Marissa's own experience recognizing red flags
26:00 Grace's advice for survivors
28:00 How to connect with Grace
29:00 Why self-love has to come first
30:00 Closing thoughts
If you or someone you know needs support: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (also available by text: START to 88788)
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