In this ground-breaking book, author Liz Atherton explains the difference between healthy relating versus unhealthy, toxic and abusive relating. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but toxic and abusive relationships have distinctive patterns and behaviours that are detrimental to everyone involved. Cycles of loving highs, stressful lows, promises of a better future and wanting to reduce your extreme stress can make breaking free from toxic or abusive relationships difficult, but knowing what to do when stress is reigning, and you feel numb, is challenging. Staying in an abusive relationship can be dangerous and leaving even more so! Relentless stress, fearful thoughts and experiences can keep you grid locked and you'll discover options and resources available to escape or deal with an abuser. Gain the knowledge and power you need to stop the cycle you are in, particularly when clear thinking evades you, learn the daunting legal system processes on how to set clear boundaries in State civil courts and the Family Court of Australia. From her own and many of her client's experience, author Liz Atherton will show you what you have to face in order to stay safe, make your escape, set clear boundaries, begin to feel free, happy and heal from your abuse.