Norm Therapy, Columbus, OH (2025)

10/27/2025

Are you finding safe ways to heal, or struggling to process trauma alone?

For Survivors of abuse, traditional therapy can feel daunting, especially when trust has been broken. Equine-Assisted Therapy offers a unique path to emotional healing in a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment. Horses, attuned to human emotions and non-verbal cues, provide authentic feedback that helps Survivors regulate feelings, establish boundaries, and rebuild trust.

In this week’s Norm Therapy®️ Blog Post, Journalist Sarah explores how Equine Therapy allows Survivors to form deep connections, gain confidence through hands-on tasks, and experience profound emotional growth.

You deserve a healing space that honors your journey and helps you rebuild emotional resilience.

Read Sarah’s full article to learn how Equine-Assisted Therapy can support emotional regulation, confidence, and long-term healing:

https://normtherapy.com/blog/the-healing-power-of-equine-therapy/

Learn more and get involved:
AbuseRefuge.org | NormTherapy.com

10/24/2025

Are you running on the fumes of self-neglect?

Caring for others is a beautiful impulse, but when it pushes you into the red, it leads to a cycle of burnout and quiet inner collapse. Your own well-being is not optional; it is the foundation of your ability to love and serve.

In this week's essential Norm Therapy®️ Blog Post, Journalist Ley Rie reveals the price we pay for constantly putting ourselves last.

Stop leaving yourself behind. You are worthy of your own care.

Read Ley's full article and learn how to finally give back to the most important person in your life.

https://normtherapy.com/blog/the-consequences-of-helping-others-before-helping-yourself/

Learn more and get involved:
NormTherapy.com | AbuseRefuge.org

10/21/2025

The Only Fire We Need: Burning Away the Darkness of Abuse

Diwali is the magnificent celebration of light conquering darkness. But as we light our diyas, the shadows of abuse whether it be Emotional, Physical, or Financial, dim the inner light for countless people behind closed doors. We cannot celebrate the triumph of light if we stay silent about this hidden darkness.

Abuse is the calculated theft of self worth and autonomy, leaving complex scars. Globally, almost one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime (UN Women, 2021). This demands that our commitment to light begins within our homes, making them true safe havens.

The festive season often magnifies this isolation. While the world outside is celebrating togetherness and joy, Victims are forced to maintain a painful facade of happiness, quietly hiding their fear and suffering.

This profound disconnect, this forced performance during a time of supposed peace, makes the burden infinitely heavier. We must look beyond the bright, external decorations and see the quiet struggle, offering a true, unconditional source of light that validates their pain and offers a genuine path out.

The Victory Must Be Shared: Diwali is more than just a personal ritual; it is a profound cultural declaration of victory. That victory is incomplete until it is shared with the vulnerable.

The light we ignite must transcend our own windows, becoming a protective beacon that guides the lost and the hurting. We have a collective responsibility to advocate for the safety of our neighbors, friends, and family. By extending the celebratory spirit into active vigilance and support, we transform a festival of lights into a monumental movement of liberation and justice.

Our Pledge for Light:
- Be the Light: Do not ignore the dimming glow. Reach out to loved ones with compassion and non judgmental support.
- Break the Silence: Speak the truth and share resources to illuminate the path to safety and freedom.

If you are experiencing abuse, you are NOT alone. Help is available to guide your footsteps back to sovereignty.

Source:
UN Women. (2021). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018. Global Database on Violence against Women.

Join AbuseRefuge.org for more information and visit NormTherapy.com.

10/14/2025

The Terror Under the Floorboards: 11 Years on Seymour Avenue

The events in Cleveland, Ohio, are a chilling testament to the enduring survival of three young women whose lives were violently interrupted, their rights and identities brutally erased for a decade.

The Ariel Castro kidnappings spanned nearly 11 years, beginning in 2002 and ending dramatically on May 6, 2013, with the victims' escape. This crime became the ultimate case of "hidden in plain sight."

The Setting: An Abnormal Prison
Seymour Avenue in the Tremont neighborhood was a dense, older, working-class area. Ariel Castro, a Cleveland school bus driver, blended seamlessly into this community.

Inside, the house was a nightmare of systematic control: women faced extreme isolation in locked rooms, repeatedly bound with chains and ropes for years. This deliberate confinement explains the lack of discovery for a decade.

The Lives Interrupted
Abductions occurred separately over two years:
- Michelle Knight (21) was abducted on August 23, 2002. Her deep faith and defiant spirit inspire hope.
- Amanda Berry (16) vanished on April 21, 2003. Courageous and quick-thinking, she secured their freedom.
- Gina DeJesus (14) was abducted on April 2, 2004. Her quiet, dedicated nature led her to co-found a missing persons center.

Their youth makes the decade of torment, isolation, terror, assaults, and forced miscarriages, all the more agonizing. Amanda Berry's act of bringing a daughter, Jocelyn, into captivity was profound resilience.

Justice and The Mandate for Change
Their captivity ended May 6, 2013, a moment of extraordinary courage. When Castro left a door unsecured, Amanda kicked through the screen, cried for help. Neighbor Charles Ramsey helped her and her daughter escape. Berry made the decisive 911 call: "I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years, and I'm here and I'm free now!" This led to Gina and Michelle's rescue.

Ariel Castro was sentenced to life plus 1,000 years. He committed su***de one month later.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Russo captured the disgust, dismissing Castro's claims: "You don't deserve to be out in our community." The Judge affirmed the survivors: "They have persevered, and in fact, they've prevailed."

The true legacy is the unbreakable spirit and public action of the three women. They shared accounts (Knight: "Finding Me"; Berry/DeJesus: "Hope") and became dedicated advocates. Their story exposed systemic flaws and failure to act on neighbor tips.

Their decade of stolen futures demands a permanent commitment to protecting the vulnerable.

Source:
McLaughlin, E. C., & Brown, P. (2013, August). Judge sentences Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro to life, plus 1,000 years. CNN. https://lnkd.in/gdBjbMWY
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Join AbuseRefuge.org for more information and visit NormTherapy.com.

10/13/2025

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day.

More than a renaming of a holiday, it’s a crucial acknowledgment of centuries of abuse, resilience, and ongoing Indigenous sovereignty.

Did you know that the vast majority (96%) of American Indian and Alaska Native female victims of sexual violence experience violence at the hands of non-Native perpetrators (NIJ, 2016)?

Imagine living with the constant threat of violence, knowing that the systems meant to protect you often fail, and that justice is frequently out of reach.

For too many Indigenous individuals, navigating daily life means carrying the weight of historical trauma while facing present-day dangers and systemic indifference.

This isn't just about statistics; it's about stolen peace, eroded trust, and the profound emotional labor of survival every single day.

And heartbreakingly, this cycle of trauma often extends to the youngest generations, leaving children to navigate systems that too often perpetuate harm rather than heal.

We must confront the hard truths: the genocide, land theft, forced assimilation of children in residential schools, and the systemic racism that continues to harm Indigenous communities today (e.g., MMIWG2S crisis).

This is not just history; it's a living reality.

Today, we honor Indigenous strength, culture, and resistance.

Tomorrow, we continue the work of justice.

Action:
Educate yourself. Support Indigenous artists and businesses. Donate to Indigenous-led organizations. Commit to land acknowledgment beyond just words.

Source:
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. (2016). Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men: 2010 findings from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NIPSV) (NCJ 249736). U.S. Department of Justice.

Join AbuseRefuge.org for more information and visit NormTherapy.com.

10/10/2025

Shattered Yet Resilient

On World Mental Health Day, we confront the raw, often hidden anguish that grips so many. It's a poignant reminder that behind every smile, every silence, there can be a profound battle being fought within.

This day compels us to truly see the pain, to feel the weight of unaddressed struggles, and to open our hearts with unwavering compassion.

The echoes of past experiences, especially abuse, can carve deep wounds into the soul, leaving scars that fester in the quiet corners of our minds.

Imagine the silent suffering when you learn that up to 80% of adults who have endured childhood abuse struggle with at least one diagnosable psychiatric disorder.

This isn't just a statistic; it's a piercing cry from countless lives, a testament to the devastating, long-term impact on mental well-being.

Let this World Mental Health Day ignite a fierce commitment within us to create sanctuaries of understanding, to reach out with gentle hands, and to remind every single person that their pain is seen, their struggle is valid, and a path towards healing, though arduous, is always within reach.

Let's break the silence, together.

Join AbuseRefuge.org for more information and visit NormTherapy.com.

10/06/2025

Happy World Smile Day? For millions, a smile is a luxury stolen by the brutal realities of abuse and neglect.

On average, 5 children die from abuse and neglect every single day in the U.S. – a stark contrast to a day celebrating happiness.

Today, let's look beyond the surface. Let's advocate, intervene, and support those whose smiles have been dimmed, working to dismantle the brutality that steals their light.

Let's make every day a day where a true smile is possible for everyone.

10/02/2025

Abuse (whether Emotional, Physical, or Financial) is the ultimate lie told to the face of non-violence.

The brutal truth is that abuse is a calculated act of violence, not a misunderstanding.

Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. It crushes lives and leaves invisible, lifelong wounds. We refuse to look away.

Today, on the International Day of Non-Violence, we declare: we will not be silent. Our unified voices are essential to challenge and overcome the justification of heinous actions.

Demand accountability. Support survivors. End the cycle.

10/01/2025

On this International Day of Older Persons, we are called to honor a lifetime of contributions, a legacy of strength, and a wellspring of wisdom.

Yet, we cannot celebrate without acknowledging those whose final years have been stolen by the pain of abuse and betrayal.

The thought of a parent, a grandparent, or any older adult living in fear or isolation should shake us to our core. They deserve peace. They deserve to be cherished, not harmed.

According to Pillemer et al. (2011), for every reported case of Elder Abuse, neglect, or exploitation, 23.5 cases go unreported.

Let the light of this day shine not just on celebration, but on the shadows where abuse hides. We stand in solidarity with every survivor, and we commit to fighting fiercely for a world where every older person feels safe, seen, and utterly valued.

What single, protective action can you take for an elder in your life or community today?

Source: Pillemer, K., Fabian, A., Thomas, C., & Honigsbaum, D. (2011). The underreporting of elder abuse: Findings from the New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study. New York State Office for the Aging.

09/29/2025

Just like a garden, every healing journey is unique. Some paths are winding, others are full of vibrant blooms, and some have quiet moments of growth—all are equally beautiful. 🌱

If you're ready to replant yourself in a strong, healthy foundation, use us as a gardening tool to help you grow. 🌷

09/28/2025

Survival is Strength

Survivors are not broken. They’re building something new from the very thing meant to destroy them. 👣

Madonna turned pain into power and gave others permission to do the same. In a world where over 60% of r**e cases go unreported, speaking the truth becomes a symbol of resilience and creates a path to healing.🙌

To see how light can shine in the darkness, click the link below. ⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4i_wZ9nMHM

What part of Madonna’s story speaks to you? Join the conversation in the comments below.👇

09/24/2025

Letting Go, Gently ☀️

Healing asks for honesty – and softness.
Sometimes growth isn’t about adding more… it’s about clearing space.
Releasing the patterns, habits, or relationships that no longer nourish us.
Like a plant being lovingly pruned to reach the sunlight, we, too, deserve space to breathe.

✨ What are you gently letting go of this week?

Whether it’s a mindset, a fear, or a "should" you’ve been carrying for too long — pruning is part of healing.

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