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“Intermittent reinforcement in relationships explained – why harmful relationships feel addictive and hard to leave
What Is Intermittent Reinforcement - And Why Does It Make Harmful Relationships So Hard to Leave? attachment and trauma coercive control cognitive dissonance darvo emotional abuse intermittent reinforcement nervous system response relationship patterns relationship psychology trauma bonding why can’t i leave May 08, 2026

If you've ever found yourself completely unable to move on from a relationship that you know, logically, wasn't good for you - this doesn't make you irrational or incapable of making good decisions. You're experiencing the predictable psychological aftermath of something very specific. That somethin...

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Eve Howe-Robinson

Founder: The Healthy Relationship Company

With a decade in psychology and domestic abuse intervention, I blend evidence, empathy, and lived experience to help you heal, grow, and build something better?

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