Another tactic to isolate you is creating an environment to entrap you.

A true form of manipulation by fishermen is to guide a fish into a perceived environment of no escape. So too, shadowy fisher-fish can manipulate the environment around a fish but this basket is woven with lies, fear, confusion and despair. This is a more direct, or overt, tactic but its walls are quite camouflaged to outsiders but not you, the fish inside. You see this in domestic or partner violence situations where they’ll tell stories to the fish over and over again, on a daily basis, like some sort of trap maintenance or construction. They find methods and stories to isolate you from your family, friends and co-workers. This is easy if they combo it with fly-lighting (Hopefully I am not giving anyone an instruction manual). Often they withdraw attention or love to solidify the walls and effect. Or they’ll even resort to other threats or even violence. Another major portion of the trap wall is restrictions on finances. These are walls but they can be overcome.

If you are a fish and are noticing that you are entrapped, realize that there is hope and a pathway out that they don’t want you to see or pursue. Sometimes the door is right in front of you. The first step is awareness. The next step is seeking support. The last part of this course has resources and supports. You need to make a collaborative plan.

If you are a shadowy fisher-fish using this tactic, realize the constraints you have put on another fish. Maybe these were once put on you or your mother and you watched helplessly. Maybe you were taught it and see no wrong with it. You too need support and help. You’ve learned mal-adaptive ways that can be addressed with help of groups, peers or talking to a therapist confidentially. You are a fish.