If watching this film, or even just learning about it, stirred something in you, a memory, a recognition, a question you've been afraid to ask, we want you to know that what you felt matters. Narcissistic abuse, coercive control, domestic violence, and manipulation by high-control groups are real. The damage they do is real. And the path out of them, while not always easy, is real too.

This page is for anyone who is just beginning to recognize what they've been through, actively trying to leave a situation, or deep in the work of healing and looking for more support. We've gathered crisis resources, legal help, therapy options, support groups, books, and educational tools, all in one place, organized so you can find what you need at every stage of the journey.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

For everyone else, take your time. Look around. Reach out. The resources here were built by people who understand what you've been through, and many of them were created by survivors themselves.

Healing is not linear. But it is possible. Others have walked this path before you, and there are people with the resources, the knowledge, and the lived experience to help guide the way.

Note: This list will continue evolving over time, and not every one of these resources has been vetted by us.

IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER

  • Call 911.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, free, confidential). Text START to 88788. thehotline.org

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988

  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7, free, confidential). rainn.org

  • Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1. Text 838255. veteranscrisisline.net

ADDITIONAL CRISIS HOTLINES

AM I IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION? START HERE

  • If you are just beginning to recognize that something may be wrong in your relationship, organization, or environment, these resources can help you understand what you are experiencing.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline — Safety planning, recognizing abuse, and next steps. thehotline.org

  • WomensLaw.org — Plain language legal information for survivors of abuse, including state-specific guides and an email hotline for legal questions. womenslaw.org

  • Narcissistic Abuse Rehab — Carefully curated resources for people beginning to recognize narcissistic abuse patterns. narcissisticabuserehab.com

  • Out of the Storm — Resources specifically for people beginning to understand complex trauma and CPTSD. outofthestorm.website

  • ICSA / International Cultic Studies Association — For those questioning whether they are or were in a high-control group or cult. A thorough checklist, leaving guides, and survivor stories. internationalculticstudies.org

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline — Crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local resources in all 50 states. Available 24/7. thehotline.org

  • YWCA USA — Largest provider of domestic violence shelter and services in the country, with programs in over 900 communities. ywca.org

  • National Network to End Domestic Violence — Advocacy, resources, and state coalition links. nnedv.org

  • VAWA / Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice — Federal resources on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. justice.gov/ovw

  • National Center for Victims of Crime — 1-800-394-3255. Advocacy, training, and information for crime victims. victimsofcrime.org

  • RAINN — Nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Operates hotline and local service provider network. rainn.org

  • Domestic Shelters — Searchable database of local shelters and services across the US and Canada. domesticshelters.org

  • Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence — 24/7 hotline: 408-279-2962. nextdoor.org

NARCISSISTIC ABUSE

  • Narcissistic Abuse Survivors — Peer support and recovery resources. narcissisticabusesurvivors.org

  • Narcissistic Abuse Rehab — Curated resources including hotlines, support groups, and vetted service providers. narcissisticabuserehab.com

  • Dr. Ramani Durvasula — Leading clinical psychologist and expert on narcissistic abuse. Extensive free educational content on YouTube and her website. doctor-ramani.com

  • Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter — Video and podcast resource by a licensed therapist specializing in narcissistic abuse recovery. survivingnarcissism.tv

CULT AND HIGH-CONTROL GROUP SURVIVORS

  • International Cultic Studies Association / ICSA — The leading research and support organization for cult survivors, families, and professionals. Referrals, support groups, and an extensive resource library. internationalculticstudies.org

  • People Leave Cults — Support groups, recovery resources, and professional guidance for cult survivors. Online support groups run by experienced facilitators. peopleleavecults.com

  • Cult Recovery 101 — Directory of cult recovery organizations worldwide. cultrecovery101.com

  • Wellspring Retreat — Residential counseling for cult survivors based in Ohio. wellspringretreat.org

  • SAFE Portland — Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education. Support groups for spiritual abuse survivors. safeportland.org

  • reFOCUS — Secular nonprofit providing support and referrals for individuals recovering from destructive cults and high-demand groups. refocus.org

COMPLEX PTSD

  • CPTSD Foundation — The leading nonprofit dedicated entirely to complex trauma. Daily virtual support groups, peer support, trauma-informed yoga, creative healing groups, and an extensive resource library. cptsdfoundation.org

  • Out of the Storm — Community forums, information sheets, therapist-finding resources, book recommendations, and provider education forms specifically for CPTSD survivors. outofthestorm.website

  • Beauty After Bruises — Information, resources, and financial assistance to connect people with CPTSD treatment and support. beautyafterbruises.org

  • Complex Trauma Resources — Curated collection of books, videos, and articles for survivors, caregivers, and professionals. complextrauma.org

  • Healing and CPTSD Community — Private survivor-led online space for connection, support circles, and resources. healingandcptsd.com

  • International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation — Fact sheets, webinars, and a Find a Therapist locator for trauma and dissociation specialists. isst-d.org

  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / ASCA — Support program for adult survivors of childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. Free meetings and a Survivor to Thriver manual. ascasupport.org

TRAUMA AND PTSD — GENERAL

  • National Center for PTSD — Comprehensive resource on PTSD research, treatment, and self-help tools including the free PTSD Coach app for iOS and Android. ptsd.va.gov

  • NAMI / National Alliance on Mental Illness — Mental health resources, support groups, and helpline: 1-800-950-6264. nami.org

  • Sidran Institute — Nonprofit focused on traumatic stress education, advocacy, and a helpline and referral service for trauma survivors. sidran.org

  • Mental Health America — Resources, screening tools, and a local affiliate finder. mhanational.org

MORAL INJURY

  • Moral Compass Federation / Moral Injury Network — Advocacy, research, and resources for those experiencing moral injury, including a self-assessment survey and personalized resource finder. moralcompassfederation.org

  • National Center for PTSD — Moral Injury — Detailed clinical information on moral injury, how it differs from PTSD, and treatment options. ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury.asp

  • Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen — Support for women veterans and servicewomen, though resources apply broadly to anyone experiencing moral injury from betrayal or ethical violations. misns.org

  • Volunteers of America / VOA ReST 4 Veterans — Free peer support program for moral injury using trained peers and evidence-based resilience strategies. voa.org

LEGAL RESOURCES

  • WomensLaw.org — Plain language legal information for survivors. State-specific restraining order guides and a national email hotline for legal questions. womenslaw.org

  • Legal Services Corporation — Largest funder of free civil legal aid in the US. Funds 132 local programs nationwide. Find your local office at lsc.gov

  • American Bar Association Free Legal Answers — Submit legal questions to be answered by volunteer attorneys. abafreelegalanswers.org

  • Survivor Justice Center — Free legal advocacy for low-income survivors, including restraining orders, family law, and immigration. survivorjusticecenter.org

  • Battered Women's Justice Project — Extensive legal resources for survivors and their attorneys on all aspects of domestic violence law. bwjp.org

  • FreeFrom Compensation Compass — Helps survivors determine what financial restitution they may be eligible for based on their state. freefrom.org

  • National Center for Victims of Crime — Victim rights advocacy and legal referrals. 1-800-394-3255. victimsofcrime.org

  • AARDVARC — An Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection. Comprehensive legal and support resource directory. aardvarc.org

FINDING A THERAPIST

  • Psychology Today Therapist Finder — Filter by specialty including narcissistic abuse, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, and somatic therapy. psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

  • EMDR International Association — Find a certified EMDR therapist. One of the most well-researched treatments for trauma and PTSD. emdria.org

  • Somatic Experiencing International — Find a Somatic Experiencing practitioner near you. Body-based trauma healing developed by Dr. Peter Levine. traumahealing.org

  • Therapy Den — Inclusive therapist directory searchable by specialty, identity, and location. therapyden.com

  • The Embody Lab Therapist Directory — Somatic and trauma-informed practitioners. theembodylab.com

  • International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation — Find a Therapist locator for trauma and dissociation specialists. isst-d.org

AFFORDABLE THERAPY OPTIONS

  • Open Path Collective — Reduced cost therapy sessions between $30 and $80 for those who cannot afford standard rates. openpathcollective.org

  • BetterHelp — Online therapy platform offering accessible, lower-cost options. betterhelp.com

  • Talkspace — Online therapy platform with flexible pricing. talkspace.com

  • Charlie Health — Virtual intensive treatment for trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery. charliehealth.com

SUPPORT GROUPS

BODY-BASED AND SOMATIC HEALING

  • Somatic Experiencing International — Body-based approach to releasing trauma stored in the nervous system. Practitioner directory available. traumahealing.org

  • EMDR International Association — Find a certified EMDR therapist. emdria.org

  • The Embody Lab — Online courses, practitioner training, and a therapist directory for somatic and body-based trauma healing. Features leading voices including Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, and Dr. Gabor Maté. theembodylab.com

ESSENTIAL BOOKS

  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — Essential reading on how trauma lives in the body and the range of treatments available. Widely considered the foundational book on trauma recovery.

  • Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker — Written by a licensed therapist who also has CPTSD. Practical recovery tools and deeply validating for survivors of narcissistic and relational abuse.

  • Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft — Essential reading for anyone trying to understand abusive relationship dynamics and the psychology of abusers.

  • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson — For survivors raised by narcissistic or emotionally unavailable parents.

  • Whole Again by Jackson MacKenzie — Specifically focused on recovering from narcissistic abuse and rebuilding a sense of self.

  • The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté — Explores how trauma, society, and the body are connected. Accessible and validating for anyone questioning the roots of their pain.

  • Coping with Cult Involvement: A Handbook for Families and Friends — Published by ICSA. Available at internationalculticstudies.org

PODCASTS AND VIDEO RESOURCES

  • Dr. Ramani on YouTube — Leading clinical psychologist and expert on narcissistic abuse. Deeply educational and validating. youtube.com/@DoctorRamani

  • Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter — Practical, compassionate, and highly regarded in the narcissistic abuse community. survivingnarcissism.tv

  • Trauma and Narcissism Redefined with Caroline Strawson — Trauma therapist and survivor. Covers gaslighting, trauma bonds, codependency, and CPTSD recovery. carolinestrawson.com

  • We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle — Broader mental health, resilience, and healing conversations. wecandohardthings.com