Behind The Mask: The Psychology of Control, Survival and Self-Rescue

You thought it was love - until it nearly broke you.Behind the Mask exposes the hidden tactics of emotional abuse and narcissistic manipulation, blending raw personal stories with trauma-informed strategies for healing. Jess Schipanski reveals how covert control erodes your identity and gives you the tools to reclaim it. If you’ve ever questioned your reality, doubted your worth, or wondered “Was it me?” this book will give you the clarity, language, and power to finally set yourself free.You thought it was love.You thought they cared.You thought you were the problem.You weren’t.Behind the Mask rips the veil off the subtle, strategic tactics used to break strong women down from the inside out. Through vivid stories, grounded psychology, and practical tools for recovery, Jess Schipanski takes you inside the silent war zone of manipulation - where there are no bruises, only invisible scars. You’ll see how love bombing turns to coldness, how gaslighting rewrites your reality, and how trauma bonds keep you hooked even when you know you should leave.But this isn’t a story about staying stuck. It’s a roadmap out.Inside, you’ll learn how to:Recognise manipulation and coercive control in its earliest stages.Break free from trauma bonds and emotional dependency.Rebuild your nervous system and sense of safety after abuse.Set boundaries that protect your energy - without guilt.Choose yourself, even when it scares you.Whether you’re still in the fog, fresh out, or years into your healing, Behind the Mask gives you the language and confidence to reclaim your power. You’ll see the patterns, name them for what they are, and finally stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.Raw. Relatable. Relentlessly empowering. Read more