Coercive Control: Educating Our Banking Professionals

Author and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Celeste Birkhofer, discusses how you can move beyond harmful short-term coping strategies by developing sustainable mental health skills and self compassion.  She shares her journey of growing up in a large Catholic family of nine on an Army salary where shared resources were the norm. Celeste initially pursued nursing but, after experiencing her own issues with depression and an eating disorder during college, became passionate about psychology and transferred into the psychology field, earning multiple degrees and honors.  She has maintained a private practice for several decades, teaches psychiatry residents at Stanford Medical School and is the author of a new book, "Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health and a Fulfilling Life".  Celestes discusses in depth the traps of utilizing quick fixes to cope with critical mental health issues.  She details why people often tend to rely on old patterns that can become automatic, provide familiar relief but inevitably cause long-term harm.  She explains how her book can bring sustainable change by helping the reader identifying the deeper need of healthy self-esteem, agency, insight, self-awareness, emotional regulation, relationship skills and healthy coping strategies. Celeste advises listeners to to make one small change, stay patient and seek appropriate support to grow into the best version of yourself.  Dr. Celeste Birkhofer Website Book: Beyond Quick Fixes; Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health & a Fulfilling Life   www.financialabusehelp.net 

Sophora Acheson traces her experiences of childhood violence, financial instability, financial abuse, recovery and advocacy in this riveting personal story of survival. She describes moving from Texas to California with her teenage mother after physical abuse by her biological father.  Her stepfather, whom she called her Dad, was involved with drugs, gang activity, violence and criminal behavior. Sophora was exposed to weapons, overdoses, threats and domestic violence from an early age.  As a teenager and young adult, she entered into a relationship with Josh, whose behavior included manipulation, gaslighting, theft, drug use and financial exploitation. Josh used Sophora's money, opened or financed accounts in her name and failed to pay rent or any financial responsibilites.  The relationship ultimately led to violence, jail time for Josh and bankruptcy for Sophora.  With support from friends and her now-husband, Sophora pursued education as she struggled to rebuild her credit and sense of worth and purpose. She now works in victim services as a director and advocate, centering on preventing future harm while giving victims a strong voice. She is also an author and is releasing a memoir in '27 about the complexities of family violence and new approaches to prevention.   Restorative Pathways Website: www.financialabusehelp.net   

Dr. Lisa Fontes, Author of the best selling book, "Invisible Chains", discusses in depth the insideous abusive behavior of coercive control in marriage and romantic partnerships.  She describes coercive control as a "liberty crime" that substantially reduces the target's freedom.  "Invisible Chains" was written to make the subject of coercive control accessible to survivors, families, clinicians, doctors and legal professionals.  Lisa details the many ways forced dependancy can manifest through withholding resources, financial harassment and financial sabotage. She explains in simple terms the tactics used by abusers: love bombing, boundary testing, intermittant reinforcement, religious control and social isolation of their victims. Lisa emphasizes survivor groups, domestic violence advocates, education and self compassion as a roadmap out of a relationship of coercive control.   Dr. Lisa Fontes Web Site: Book: Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Partnership:   www.financialabusehelp.net 

Renown author and broadcaster, Elizabeth Gagnon, also internationally known as "Miss Liz", shares her personal history of survival and her transition into becoming an advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence through her platform, Miss Liz's Teatime, the wildly popular global podcast and YouTube show.  Elizabeth describes a childhood defined by instability, addiction and lack of safety in Ontario, Canada.  She details severe trauma including child abuse and a lengthy marriage characterized by extreme domestic violence and financial exploitation.  Elizabeth explains how she transformed her experiences into a mission of service through storytelling a community engagement.  Her "Miss Liz's Teatime" has evolved from local community tea parties in 2015 to a global virtual presence.  Over seven years, Elizabeth has conducted more than 700 interviews covering topics such as grief, mental health and various forms of abuse and recovery.  She has authored several books and and provides guidance for survivors of domestic and financial abuse based on her lived experience.     Miss Liz's Tea Time Web Site:  Miss Liz's Tea Time Podcast Listen: Miss Liz Shop for Books & Media:   www.financialabusehelp.net   

Ronel Monet Koekemoer from South Africa, discusses her work with GRIT, a technologically innovative organization using AI to support victims and survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.  GRIT's initiatives include the GRIT moble app, which offers a panic button, support services map, and a vault for storing important documents.  They also have a generative chatbot called ZUZI, available in multiple South African languages, to provide support and information on gender-based violence. Ronel emphasizes the importance of self-care, community, and ethical AI development in their work. GRIT is primarily donor funded and aims to scale their chatbot and expand their data set to better serve survivors.  GRIT Home Page: www.grit-gbv.org GRIT ZUZI APP: www.grit-gbv.org/tech#zuzi THE GRIT APP: www.grit-gbv.org/tech#app   www.financialabusehelp.net   

Khersie, Julie and Juniper of the non-profit organization, First Step, in Wayne County, Michigan, discuss advocacy, highlighting their committment to the field and how advocacy works in action to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.   www.firststep-mi.org www.financialabusehelp.net  

Survivor and author of the new book, "What the F.. Was That!", Rebecca Lazzelle discusses her two marriages of financial difficulty and financial abuse.  Her first husband relied on her for financial support, and her second husband had a history of financial instability and mental illness that quickly manifested early in their marital relationship.  Rebecca details the frustration and the gaslighting of her second marriage where her husband continued to get jobs, lose jobs or not bother to get a job at all.   She outlines the behavior of a financially abusive predator and how well they can convince you that critical self support is not their responsibility. Rebecca managed the finances in both marriages, leading to significant strain, debt, divorces and eventual violence in her second marriage which she narrowly escaped.  Post divorce, Rebecca focuses on her healing journey, becoming a certified energy practitioner and writing a memoir to help others recover from trauma.  She hopes her new book, "What the F.. Was That!", will inspire and educate other survivors and potential victims of relationship abuse.   WEBSITE: www.rebeccalazzelle.com REBECCA'S BOOK, "What the F... Was That!": www.rebeccalazzelle.com/book www.financialabusehelp.net   

Shari Rash, President of GWA Wealth and host of the"Everyone's Talkin' Money" podcast, discusses her journey from aspiring newscaster to financial expert and wealth builder with her own firm and financial broadcast.  She emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, particularly for women, highlighting the historical barriers and taboos women have often faced in establishing their own financial success.  Shari founded her company, GWA Wealth, and launched a podcast to empower women financially.  She addresses common financial challenges such as emotional spending and stresses the need for financial education. Shari  offers strategies on how to teach children about money as well as sound advice for women in abusive relationships, including understanding financial access and how to set funds aside secretly. She details her new launch of the "Everyone's Talkin' Money" private online club for women which offers affordable financial education and support to help women everywhere recover from financial difficulties and rediscover their financial dreams. 

Cedric Bertelli, Founder and President of the global Emotional Health Institute, discusses his transition from a career in hospitality to emotional healing, inspired by his own struggles with anxiety and his grandfather's resiliance.  Cedric developed a method to resolve debilitating emotional patterns by updating outdated memories.  He trains professionals globally through the Emotional Health Institute and details the method's effectiveness in reducing anxiety among professionals such as hospital workers.  Cedric emphasizes the importance of addressing current emotional difficulties rather than past traumas, offering support for those in or recovering from abusive relationships.    The Emotional Health Institute Web Site  Emotional Resolution Web Site   www.financialabusehelp.net 

Ronda Lee, Owner of The Awakened Banker, discusses her journey from banking to becoming an advocate against financial abuse in romantic partnerships. She highlights her unique background in banking and her transition from operations to retail banking, where she developed a deep understanding of the psychology of money. Ronda emphasizes the importance of understanding coercive control, a form of domestic abuse, and its financial implications. She shares her efforts to educate bankers and survivors through her firm, The Awakened Banker, and provides practical tips for those in and coming out of abusive relationships.    The Awakened Banker - Substack  The Awakened Banker Newsletter Signup   www.financialabusehelp.net