Is it gaslighting — or defensiveness rooted in shame? For betrayed partners, the difference matters…but not in the way you might think.

In this episode, Sarah Morales joins Amie to break down:

• Gaslighting vs normal relational conflict

• Why “I didn’t mean to” isn’t the deciding factor

• How repeated harm still counts — even without malicious intent

• What it actually means to take your power back

If you’ve been stuck second-guessing your reality, this episode is for you.

Chapters

• 02:55 Understanding Gaslighting and Misunderstandings

• 04:30 The Scale of Gaslighting

• 07:05 Shame Responses

• 16:09 The Broken Arm Analogy

• 24:02 The Bow and Arrow Analogy

• 25:57 Values and Boundaries

• 28:16 Recovery and Self-Awareness

• 32:13 Healthy Communication and Vulnerability

• 45:52 Distinguishing Between Abuse and Gaslighting 

Register Now!

• Rise, Renew, Restore Somatic Healing Retreat in Costa Rica -  Ready to experience deep somatic healing? Join us this July for a transformative 5-day intensive created specifically for women healing from betrayal trauma or navigating divorce. This is your opportunity to reconnect with your body's wisdom, release what you've been carrying, and heal alongside other women who truly understand your journey. 

Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life

Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com. 

Watch us⁠ on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services

⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation.

Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air.

More from Choose Recovery Services

• Beyond the Facade Podcast - Podcast geared toward helping men live authentically and in harmony with their values.

• Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. 

• Intensives - Accelerate your healing journey with one of our intensives. Foster connection with others who share similar experiences, creating an immersive environment that enables profound transformation in a short period of time.

• Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication. 

• Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - We help men move through the pains of addiction, relationship healing, managing emotions, and moving past shame. You’ll learn how to better connect with others, understand your own emotional experience, and build a deeper sense of self respect.

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Dating From Within - Amie Woolsey hosts this workshop which teaches you how to date yourself first. Learn how to know if you are ready to date again and what a healthy relationship looks like. 

• Should I Stay or Go? - Self-paced course designed to be a companion on your journey toward self-discovery and personal empowerment. 

• Trauma Trigger Kit - Triggers can come out of nowhere. Keep a Trauma Trigger Kit on hand to help you use your five senses to stay grounded and connected to yourself.

• Believing in You - In this program Amie teaches you how to work WITH your brain instead of against it. Learn tools that will help you move forward to trust, love, empowerment, and finding joy once again.

• Intimacy Within ⁠- Creating healthy intimacy with your partner begins with creating healthy intimacy within. Amie’s self-paced course and guidebook will walk you through the seven levels of intimacy. Learn how to embrace authenticity and vulnerability even in the face of potential rejection.