SCIENCE CAFE presented by Women, Life and Science

Meet a Scientist! Join us at the Science Cafe by Women, Life and Science for a fun and thought-provoking discussions! The Seasons of Staying: Understanding Domestic Violence and Coercive Control What if abuse doesn’t look like abuse? What if manipulation happens so gradually that you don’t recognize it until you begin to lose your sense of self? And what do you do when you feel trapped in a situation you can’t see a way out of? Join us for a conversation with Michelle Larson, a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience and author of The Seasons of Staying. Drawing on both her professional background and her personal experience with domestic violence and coercive control, Michelle will explore the often-hidden patterns of psychological abuse and manipulation. Coercive control can be difficult to recognize. It doesn’t always begin with obvious warning signs. Instead, it can develop slowly through subtle manipulation, fear, isolation, and the gradual erosion of confidence and independence. Even when something feels wrong, understanding what is happening—and finding the strength to leave—can feel overwhelming or impossible. Through her book, The Seasons of Staying, Michelle brings together clinical insight, lived experience, and a literary voice to shed light on these complex experiences. She will share perspectives on recognizing coercive control, understanding why leaving can be so difficult, and finding the strength to move forward even when it feels like there is no way out. This is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and gain a deeper understanding of an issue that often remains hidden behind closed doors. About the Speaker Michelle Larson is a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience and the author of The Seasons of Staying. Her clinical background has given her an understanding of mental health and human behavior, while her personal experience has shown her that knowledge alone does not protect us from psychological abuse. Having lived at the intersection of mental health, domestic violence, and coercive control, Michelle is committed to raising awareness of the quiet psychological patterns that can go unrecognized for years.