Beverly Engel has written several books on this topic. "The Emotionally Abusive Relationship : how to stop being abused and how to stop abusing" and "Breaking the Cycle of Abuse : how to move beyond your past to create an abuse-free future" are two she might start with. Additionally, I would recommend she visit her local domestic violence center or women's shelter or first call for help crisis center in her area to seek help as soon as possible. They can provide her with counseling and other resources for support and ways of helping her get out of an abusive relationship (whether it is emotional or physical abuse or both.)

I got a flyer from the police station when I filed charges. Depending on your situation, there are also support groups. It's one thing to talk to your friends and family, however supportive they may be. But it really helps to talk to people that have gone through the same issues. Best of luck.

I'm a writer and an emotional abuse survivor and will be writing a memoir of my experiences for the very reason that there is very little out there on the specific issue of emotional abuse. In addition to the lack of information and support a lot of "authorities" do not give emotional abuse the voice it needs because there are no physical scars or wounds. I actually had a cop tell me once "it's not against the law to be an asshole" after my ex husband stole and hid my car just to "punish me". Big big props to Cary for continuing to answer questions of this nature, because emotional abuse is a lot more common than people think. I've written some articles on the topic, but am not sure if I'm allowed to post them here. That being said, here's what I did to get support and information. I talked to my doctor first, who then referred me to two different forms of therapy, one with a women's abuse center. I got a LOT of information both educational and supportive that helped me through my period of recovery. To me, the BEST kind of support is hearing other people's stories, because the victims are made to feel like what they are going through is "normal and deserved" so contact from the rest of the world is often shut out for them, because the abuser doesn't want them to find out that what they are doing to them is wrong. the more you learn and understand what you are gong through or have been through is wrong will help your self esteem considerably. Support groups are a GREAT idea, but for emotional abuse they are few and far between. If you can find one, run do not walk. But I can NOT stress enough talk to your doctor FIRST. ESPECIALLY if this is a relationship you are still in, because if nothing else you will get your story documented in medical records. Bless you and good luck.

From B - a regular commenter - from one of my answers.

Happy to. Anything written by Melody Beattie about co-dependency, especially "Codependent No More" and "Beyond Codependency". She's one of the leading authorities on the subject. A couple other books are "Why Does He Do That? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men" by Lundy Bancroft and "It's My Life Now: Starting Over After an Abusive Relationship or Domestic Violence" by Roger R. Hock. I've read all of these and have found them helpful.