Alex’s Story: Groomed, Controlled, and Silenced, Escaping a Childhood Built on Fear

How do you recognise abuse when it’s disguised as control and manipulation? For Alex, childhood was overshadowed by coercion, fear, and emotional abuse at the hands of her stepfather. From the ages of 8 to 15, she endured a cycle of grooming and control that shaped every part of who she is today. But in the darkest of times, she found a refuge—school became her safe space, and that experience ultimately led her to become a secondary school teacher.  

Now, after years of therapy, Alex is undergoing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a treatment that has helped her process the trauma that followed her into adulthood. For the first time since she was 15, she no longer struggles with self-harm urges, and she is finding healing in ways she never thought possible.  

In this episode, Alex shares:  
✨ The reality of grooming and coercive control in childhood abuse  
✨ How childhood trauma shapes identity and mental health into adulthood  
✨ The power of IFS therapy and how it has helped her make breakthroughs  
✨ How she turned her trauma into purpose, becoming a teacher to help young people  
✨ The importance of recognising and naming abuse—so others can, too  

Alex joins us anonymously to protect her privacy, but her story is a powerful testament to resilience, healing, and the importance of breaking the silence. If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past or wondered how therapy can truly change your life, this episode is for you.