Why She Stayed Ep. 66: You Won't Get Closure From The Same Person Who Hurt you | Laura Richards
Aug 12, 2025
This conversation features Laura Richards, an abuse recovery coach and host of the That's Where I'm At podcast. She shares her insights on trauma bonds and gaslighting. Laura highlights why survivors often minimize their experiences and the psychological traps that keep them in abusive relationships. They dive into red flags of covert narcissism and examine the confusion created by contradicting behaviors. Laura emphasizes that true closure comes from within, not from the abuser, and offers encouragement for healing and self-love.
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Two Faces Make You Question Reality
- Covert abusers show one face publicly and another at home, creating doubt for the partner.
- This duality makes victims question their perception when friends praise the abuser.
Don't Normalize Manipulative Conversations
- If you cannot have calm conversations without being blamed, recognize it's manipulation, not a relationship.
- Seek trauma-informed support rather than normalizing the abuse.
Subtle Punishments, Not Punches
- Laura describes being subtly punished by her husband calling his coworker to plan longer hikes.
- Those small punishments signaled contempt and eroded her worth over time.