Hi there!
My name is Star Spider
Who am I?
I’m a writer, philosopher, researcher, and the founder of Counter, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and addressing psychological manipulation and coercive control through education, advocacy, and support.
My work is deeply personal. As a survivor of a high-control group, I’ve spent years untangling the complex ways people get drawn into manipulative systems and how they find their way out. That journey led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Psychology, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s of Theological Studies at Emmanuel College.
At the heart of everything I do is a belief in the power of questions to change lives.
I’m currently writing a non-fiction book that weaves together memoir, philosophy, and cultural critique to explore the deep human longing for connection, purpose, and belonging in the wake of coercion and control.
Whether through writing, teaching, research, or one-on-one peer support, my goal is always the same: to help people make sense of the world, find meaning and imagine new ways of living.
If you’d like to collaborate, learn more about Counter, or explore my work, I’d love to connect.
What can I do?
Research
I take a polymath approach to learning, drawing from a wide array of knowledge across disciplines. I’m passionate about the learning process itself and can dive deep into any subject to extract meaningful insights and connect ideas across seemingly unrelated fields. I’m both a big-picture thinker and a detail-oriented researcher, always looking for the threads that tie things together.
Writing
From award-winning fiction to academic papers, marketing copy, and branching narrative game dialogue, I’ve done it all. I’ve had a love for words since the first sappy love poems I wrote as a pre-teen, and that passion has only grown.
Peer Support
I offer compassionate, trauma-informed peer support for families and individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including recovering from psychological manipulation and coercive control, navigating complex relationships such as polyamory or other non-traditional dynamics and rebuilding a sense of community, purpose, and connection after rupture, trauma, or loss. My approach is grounded in lived experience, deep listening, and the belief that healing begins with meaningful connection. Whether you’re emerging from a high-control group, feeling untethered in your relationships, or searching for a deeper sense of belonging, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Project Development
Let’s bring your project to life! As a serial entrepreneur with experience in event planning, video production, research, and development, I bring energy, creativity, and practical know-how to any team. I’m equally comfortable leading or collaborating to get things done.
Consulting
Whether you need help navigating the ethical implications of new research, launching a project, or adding philosophical or psychological depth to your work, I’m here to help. I bring years of experience across diverse fields, and I love nothing more than tackling big questions and offering fresh perspectives.