Bron is joined by Krasi Kirova (Clinical psychologist) to chat about post-separation abuse. Krasi explains how coercive control can continue through mediation, property settlement, and family court, why abusers can appear more credible than the people they harm, and how to support clients in therapy after they’ve separated.

They chat about:
👉🏽 Why coercive control predicts post-separation abuse, and why it takes an average of seven attempts to leave
👉🏻 Legal systems abuse
👉 Betrayal blindness, self-gaslighting and building clarity without pushing clients too fast
👉🏿 When extended stabilisation is appropriate before trauma processing work

Guest: Krasi Kirova, Clinical Psychologist

LINKS

• Krasi's self-paced online course on Recognising Emotional Abuse and Coercive Control
• Krasi’s previous Mental Work episode on identifying coercive control in individuals and couples therapy
• Krasi’s website, including free professional resources and her handout on supporting clients experiencing post-separation abuse
• Jess Hill, See What You Made Me Do (book)
• Ellen Reeves and colleagues’ paper on legal systems abuse
• Emma Katz’s Substack
• The Divorce Course Podcast

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health with an early-career focus. Hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

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Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

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CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.