Mollie, a trans woman, recently ended a five-year relationship with her partner. When she first came to me, she described her relationship as “complicated and stressful.” Over time, however, she began to share stories that revealed a pattern of emotional control, gaslighting, and identity-based abuse.

Her partner frequently invalidated Mollie’s gender identity, referring to her by her deadname during arguments and telling her, “No one will ever love you for who you really are.” He discouraged her from seeing friends and made her feel guilty for attending LGBTQ community events, accusing her of “wanting attention.” When Mollie expressed a desire to start

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