Author: Kate Amber, MSc

My name is Kate Amber MSc. I hold a master's degree in the psychology of coercive control from the University of Salford and a post-graduate certification in violence and abuse prevention executive leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. My lived expertise in coercive control includes surviving domestic abuse, a cult-like group, and multiple coercively controlling systems. and relationships Through decades of lived experience and years of post-graduate study in trauma, undue influence, brainwashing, narcissistic abuse & coercive control, I conduct research & and develop coercive control training programs, like The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control, to facilitate #SystemicTransformation.

Targeted & Entrapped: Understanding the Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control

Introduction to The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control, developed by (me) Kate Amber and utilized by End Coercive Control USA, is a survivor-centered, trauma-informed framework that explains the layered tactics and strategies coercive controllers use to entrap and dominate their targeted victims. This model categorizes coercive control tactics and […]

Double Speak – Coercive Controller’s Weaponization of Language

Double Speak – Coercive Controller’s Weaponization of Language: An Analysis of JD Vance’s Tweet Using The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control In the complex landscape of political discourse, language often serves as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions and influencing public opinion. The recent tweet by J.D. Vance, U.S. Vice President, provides a compelling case […]

Defying Gravity

An Analysis of “Wicked” Through The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control and Institutional Betrayal “Wicked,” the renowned Broadway musical reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz,” offers a compelling narrative for exploring the intricate dynamics of power, manipulation, and coercive control within both personal relationships and institutional contexts. By employing a multifaceted approach that combines my Quicksand Model® […]

The Hidden Epidemic: Coercive Control, Parental Alienation, and Institutional Abuse in Family Courts

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s crucial to shed light on the pervasive issues plaguing our family court systems and the devastating impact they have on protective parents, mostly mothers, and their children. Today, I want to delve into the interconnected web of coercive control, parental alienation, reunification camps, and institutional abuse within family courts. These issues are not just […]

Debunking the Myth of Mutual Abuse: A Closer Look at Coercive Control and The Quicksand Model®

Debunking the Myth of Mutual Abuse In the complex world of interpersonal relationships, one unfounded myth continues to persist – the myth of mutual abuse. This notion, which proposes that both parties in a relationship engage in consistent, reciprocal abuse, is not only ill-defined but can also be dangerously misleading. Let’s delve into the reasons why […]

The weapons of Coercive Control

The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control serves as a vital framework for training programs aimed at educating individuals and organizations on how to recognize, intervene in, and prevent coercive control. These programs are tailored to support families, businesses, non-profits, communities, and various organizations in dismantling harmful patterns of coercive control. The ultimate goal is to replace […]

Understanding The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control

The Quicksand Model® of Coercive Control is a groundbreaking training program designed to make the often invisible tactics of coercive control visible and understandable. This model synthesizes 70 years of research and theory across various fields, including domestic abuse, human trafficking, cults, extremism, and trauma, to provide professionals with the tools needed to detect, intervene […]

Could criminalizing coercive control further harm female victims?

In response to the question “Could criminalizing coercive control further harm female victims?” the concise answer is a resounding yes. This concern is frequently voiced by global domestic violence organizations when survivors seek legislative changes to outlaw coercive control. While this apprehension is valid, it’s worth noting that from the 1970s onwards, as domestic violence […]

Is coercive control intentional?

Coercive controllers are the puppeteers of manipulation! Every strategy they employ against their chosen victims at the start of the “relationship” to fabricate The Mirage, is also utilized on friends, family, and anyone within their surrounding circle. The implementation of these coercive control tactics usually intensifies when their main target begins to comprehend the abuse. However, […]

Coercive Control Research Study Opportunity

This research study on coercive control is being conducted by Kacey Baker, a master’s student in the psychology of coercive control program at the University of Salford. If you have been targeted by coercive control, please consider participating. Here are the important details: I am a researcher from The University of Salford conducting a study […]