Three Halloween visions of the relational traumatic cycle

Within the framework of Relational Psychotraumatology of the Italian Center of Relational Psychotraumatology (CIPR) and the theoretical models of Massimo Lattanzi and Tiziana Calzone, intimate partner violence is not interpreted as a moral deviance, but as the dysfunctional and predictable outcome of a Complex Relational Trauma (C-PTSD) [1].

The meeting between two partners with post-traumatic vulnerabilities defines the partner paradox: the psychopathological risk does not sum up, but multiplies [2]. This union involuntarily co-creates a traumatic bubble, an isolated space that amplifies past wounds, acting as an "echo chamber" and leading to the re-enactment of trauma [2]. Violence, whether overt or covert, is the ultimate expression of emotional dysregulation and interpersonal traumatic resonance [1, 3].

Legal disclaimer: Fictional nature of content

The cases reported in the articles are fictional. The clinical profiles (Alessandro, Chiara, Sofia, Matteo, Laura, Davide) and the psychodiagnostic and psychophysiological data (such as percentages, age ranges, ASVS, and SVITR) have been created for illustrative purposes to explain the theoretical models of Relational Psychotraumatology by CIPR. Any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental.

The silent guardian's oath. The Halloween narrative: The unspoken pact.

It’s a chilling Halloween. Alessandro (28 years old) is masked as the "Silent Guardian," but his mask is more of a prison: it shields his vulnerability through control and emotional withdrawal. He refuses to go to the party, forcing his fiancée, Chiara, to stay home.

Alessandro, terrified of abandonment (the result of an unpredictable childhood), employs passive coercion: if Chiara expresses independence, he "shuts down" into a punitive silence. Chiara, with her deep wound of unworthiness, responds to every withdrawal with freezing, the typical emotional block. Her submission reinforces Alessandro's control, and his withdrawal feeds her fear of not deserving love.

“That toxic familiarity had become the very air of their prison, a silence louder than any scream—the true unspoken pact of Halloween.”

Theirs is a silent and toxic bidirectional prison, a traumatic bubble that amplifies their respective fears.

HEALING BRINGS SAFETY

Your Healing, Our Safety. The campaign promotes the urgent need to treat trauma – in both victims and perpetrators of domestic and relational violence – as the only path to collective safety. Participate in the free consultation! Available in person (Pescara and Rome) or remotely (GoToMeeting).

Contact Information for Appointments and Information:

• Phone/WhatsApp: +39 392 4401930 (Mon-Sun, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM)
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Psychotraumatological analysis and CIPR profile (Rome)

Reference CIPR: Rome (Via Giorgio Baglivi 6). CIPR Therapeutic Goal: Breaking the cycle of freezing and hyper-control through physiological self-regulation training (biofeedback) [2].

According to the analysis inspired by the profiles treated by the CIPR (Italian Center of Relational Psychotraumatology) in Rome, Alessandro and Chiara’s clinical picture presents the following aspects:

• Psychodiagnostic Profile: Alessandro exhibits an avoidant-type Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), characterized by a high fear of abandonment [1, 2]. Chiara presents co-dependent traits and the perception of "not deserving love" [1].
• Psychophysiological Profile: Alessandro displays masked internal hyper-arousal, with low Heart Rate Variability (HRV) during withdrawal phases. Chiara shows a prevalence of the dorsal parasympathetic system, manifesting the Freezing or emotional block response [1].
• ASVS (AIPC Scientific Violence Screening): The protocol highlights a high risk of coercive psychological violence (the use of silence as a weapon) and chronic emotional dysregulation. The risk multiplies due to the partner paradox [2].

Seminar invitation: from the science of complex trauma to violence prevention. LAST SPOTS!

The Italian Association of Psychology and Criminology (AIPC) and the Italian Center of Relational Psychotraumatology (CIPR) are pleased to invite all professionals residing in Abruzzo who deal with violence in various capacities (particularly CAV/CUAV Operators, Social Workers, Lawyers, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, and Law Enforcement) to the free seminar:

"FROM THE SCIENCE OF COMPLEX TRAUMA TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION"

The event will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at the Conference Room of the Pescara Police Headquarters.

This scientific-operational seminar will explore how Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) is at the root of violent dynamics and how scientific assessment tools, such as the SVITR scale [2025-06-28], can identify risk factors to structure effective preventive interventions. The event is part of the "HEALING BRINGS SAFETY" campaign.

Registration and Contacts Participation is free, but spots are limited. Registration is mandatory by sending the completed registration form by 1:00 PM on November 11, 2025.

• Download the Registration Form here: Link to the Registration PDF
• Send the completed form to: aipcitalia@gmail.com

Conclusions and CIPR contacts (Rome)

The case of Alessandro and Chiara is an example of a bidirectional prison based on relational trauma. Their bond is a re-enactment of the childhood wound [2], where the familiarity of pain is preferred over the risk of a healthy and unknown relationship. The CIPR intervention aims at the repair of complex relational trauma [1], offering a space of unconditional acceptance and a path of self-regulation to disarm the attractors of Interpersonal Traumatic Resonance [1].

If you recognize yourself in these dynamics, where fear and emotional block are constant, or if you think you are trapped in a dysfunctional bond, do not remain silent. The Italian Center of Relational Psychotraumatology (CIPR) offers clinical support pathways based on AIPC-CIPR scientific evidence.

Contact the CIPR in Rome:

• Location: Via Giorgio Baglivi 6, 00161 Roma RM, Italia
• AIPC Website: www.associazioneitalianadipsicologiaecriminologia.it
• Email: aipcitalia@gmail.com
• Phone/WhatsApp: +39 392 440 1930 (11:00 AM–4:00 PM, including holidays)

Bibliographical references

[1] Complex Relational Trauma, Freezing, Interpersonal Traumatic Resonance (CIPR, AIPC). [2] The Traumatic Bubble and the Partner Paradox by Lattanzi and Calzone (AIPC). `` Deep Emotional Wound, Emotional Dysregulation, and Loss of Control (CIPR, AIPC). [3] Technical language of fear and coercion (Erasmus Plus Project).