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At CandleX, we were first introduced to the complex reality of abusive relationships through the courageous stories shared in our !!!!!!!!!! Mental Health Peer Support Group . Over the years, our peer group meetings have been privileged to support a number of individuals who felt isolated, conflicted and ashamed on their own journey. In 2023,  Xiaojie , a Psychotherapist and the Director of CandleX, created a series of five psychoeducation videos after providing a few rounds

Today is World Trauma Day. Sometimes, even the world "trauma" itself can feel broken - but our stories of healing don't have to be. At CandleX, we have worked with many forms of trauma, including abusive relationships, sex addiction, incomplete loss and grief, and suicidality. This year, we are focusing on the profound impact of  intimate relationship trauma. Your story is part of your journey, but it does not define you. Begin Your Understanding: Recognize the signs with our

Editor: Xiaojie Qin Time: Aug 2025 As Cecilia’s therapist, I witnessed the tremendous challenges she faced in rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive marriage. Leaving abuse takes extraordinary strength (see  Chapter 1: Cecilia's Escape - From Broken Vows to Independence ), and healing requires immense patience. For survivors like Cecilia, hypervigilance is a common response to the trauma of intimate partner violence. While I’ve created video content (scan the QR code be

Author: Cecilia (Pseudonym) Date: April 2025 From the last nerve-wrecking hours in a New Orleans hotel room with him, the image that has vividly remained with me is that of the young policewoman who was waiting for me downstairs when the old, clanky elevator doors opened. She was on her way to my room, after the guest had heard my cries for help and had called for police enforcement.  “Help, my husband is verbally and physically assaulting me”, I panted as soon as I saw her.

September 2022, China Development Brief featured Project A for their work in providing affordable therapy to survivors of abusive relationships in Beijing. Accessing affordable mental health support in China can be a challenge to both locals and foreigners alike. For survivors of abusive relationships, it can be especially difficult to find suitable spaces for therapy and healing. As founders, Megan Purvis and Qin Xiaojie discuss the inspiration behind Project A, the unique w

From March to April 2022, Project A (independent of CandleX) held its second round of in-person group therapy for women who were in abusive relationships. In this round, group therapy lasted 6 weeks. Each session was 2 hours long, meaning participants spent a total of 12 hours together in the sessions. In addition, each participant was offered the chance to have supplemental individual sessions with the therapist. The therapy was led by Xiaojie Qin, a certified psychotherapis