Art That Overcomes

In my own trauma healing journey, I’ve found that it’s so incredibly important for me to listen to my body and to my emotions. But as I’m sure you’ve discovered too, this is easier said than done. We’ve learned to ignore our body’s warning signs, as it attempts to tell us what we need. We’ve learned to focus on everything and everyone else.  And sometimes we do that so long that we just….can’t any...

Let's finish our conversation about taking control over your emotions so that you're not hurt by the narcissist again. How do we stay centered and in control of our emotions when we have to continue communicating with the narcissist? This is a tough one, for sure. It all starts with addressing the trauma that is stored inside our bodies. When you become anxious or enraged at the abuser, yo...

How do you prevent being hurt by the narcissist again down the road (when you can't go no contact)? I know from first hand experience that this is one of the most difficult challenges to overcome. All the advice you read on the internet about how to heal after narcissistic abuse emphasizes the importance of going "no contact".  But what if you can't??? What if you have to co-pare...

Let's finish our conversation about trusting yourself and trusting others... This can really be a challenging concept to grasp if you've never fully trusted your own inner voice...always people pleasing and deferring to others. In my experience, I've found that just like any skill in life, learning to trust your intuition starts with small steps that eventually add up to big results. T...

Will I ever trust myself or others again? This is so foundational to your healing. Once you begin to trust yourself again (or maybe for the first time), so much is going to open up for you. How do I know for sure? I've been there. And it's my mission to teach you everything I've learned so that you can start feeling confident an empowered to live your own life...NOW. This month on the...

Hey there, Overcomer! Today I’m sharing the final lesson of the four most important lessons I have learned from art and the practice of art therapy. If you haven’t heard my first three, you can go back and catch the last three episodes… Okay, so here is thing number 4 that art and art therapy have taught me: Art has taught me to play, to let go, and to trust my intuition.  Narcissistic abusers hav...

Hey there, Overcomer! Today I’m sharing another one of my top 4 important lessons I have learned from art and the practice of art therapy. This is number 3.. So if you haven’t heard my first two, you can go back and catch the last two episodes… Alright, so number 3 thing that art and art therapy have taught me: We know that trauma is stored in our body, in our nervous system. So, the most effectiv...

Listen up! This will change your life!  Hey there, Overcomer! Today I’m sharing an important lesson I have learned from art and the practice of art therapy. And it might sound a bit out there at first… But here it is: You can strategically use different art media in order to access and have an effect on your emotions in different ways. I think this feels straight up magical! So, let me explain… Al...

Hey there, Overcomer! Today I’m sharing an important lesson I have learned from art and the practice of art therapy. And it’s a bit controversial…. You don’t need therapy for EVERYTHING.  There it is! I said it! Now, here’s why… We deceive ourselves into thinking that there’s something magical about the therapy process, to the point where sometimes we can even become dependent on our therapist. We...

We’ve all heard the phrase, “too much of a good thing.” This thought is usually associated with the concept of moderation. For example, ice cream is yummy, but eating it all day every day would be too much of a good thing. It wouldn’t be healthy for your body. You’d feel like crap. You wouldn’t be getting all the nutrients that your body needs. Ice cream in moderation, however…as a dessert after a...

We’ve all got a story to tell about ourselves.  And whether your story is negative, positive, or a little bit of both is completely up to you.  If you’re thinking: “Well, somewhat… But so much of what has happened to me has been out of my control!”...then let’s break this down a bit more.  Yes, of course you can’t control everything that’s happened to you. We especially tend to think of this lack...

Hey, Overcomer… welcome back to this special little podcast series called What Are Your Manifesting? Today I’m excited to bring you the final part, episode 3 of the series. If you haven’t listened to parts 1 and 2 yet, I suggest you scroll down and click play on those episodes first. Then I’ll still be here when you get back.  One of the words that came up for me as I was doing the art and writing...

Last week on  Art That Overcomes , I encouraged you to consider whether you are operating out of an “unhealed” energy, or a “healed” energy. I always emphasize that our healing journey is endless, so there’s no one, perfect endpoint or destination to this journey that we’re all striving for… but that said, it’s ideal to actually be moving along on that journey at any given time…or most of the time...

Welcome to episode one of a three part series that I am calling, What are You Manifesting? Now, the term “manifestation” can mean different things to different people. For the purpose of this series, what I mean by this question is basically, “what are you creating in your life?”. I’ll talk more about my thoughts on manifestation in part two. But today, let’s lay a little more groundwork first… So...

The power of art to act as a mirror for the artist (a way to reflect back the artist’s thoughts, emotions, and sense of self) is not a concept unique to the field of art therapy. If you’ve ever created art, in any discipline (music, dance, theater, writing, or visual art) then you likely know what I’m talking about. There’s something about engaging in a creative project that forces you to look at...

Our brains naturally want to keep us in survival mode, ready for the next threat around the corner….just in case. It’s a trauma response that is designed to help us when there's an imminent threat to our safety. But it does not serve us well once we’re safe from the abuse and don’t have an immediate reason to stay on high alert all the time.  In order to heal, we need to live life in between t...

I believe that we were all created to thrive. We were designed for it. You have a purpose here on this earth, whether you know it or not.  Period. You were created for so much more than your trauma story.  SO. MUCH. MORE. And it’s okay to feel that…to really own it. It’s not arrogant or rude or self absorbed or self-righteous to say, “I have value! I have worth! I have a purpose!” and “I was creat...

Hey there, Overcomer.  I believe that YOU were designed with a purpose, a passion, and a mission all your own. Yes, YOU.  I believe this is true because I also believe that you were created by a creative Creator.  On today's episode, I want to share with you a recording that is available within my Redefined coaching app. This is from a video included in one of four video bundles that I offer t...

It can be really hard for me to stay present. Like, really hard! My mind is prone to wander and  I could literally spend hours daydreaming and not get bored. I attribute some of this tendency to my introverted, artist brain who would rather live in fantasy and watch the clouds roll by, thinking in detail about all the vacations I want to take, the clothes I’ll wear, how I’ll feel, what art I’ll be...

Who gets to decide what real art is…and who the real artists are? And if a piece of artwork is good or not?  Do you have to exhibit artwork for others to see? Do you have to perform on a stage or on video? Today I’m sharing my two cents on this topic. Here's the link to all the things! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/jenniferakramer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Go here to view the Art That Overcomes Instagram pa...

I am so excited for you to get a copy of my book, ‘The Uncommon Guide to Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: How I Used Art to Break the Pattern and Redefine My Identity’! Both Kindle e-book and paperback versions are available on Amazon, right now!! I can’t wait for you to start reading it, completing the art and writing exercises at the end of each chapter, and experiencing some big aha moments. Wi...

Whenever I find myself in the midst of an overwhelming trauma reaction…you know…the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn type of response… when I can tell that something deep within me has REALLY been triggered, it always comes back to my inner child. In those situations, there’s some aspect of the trigger that has brought my wounded childhood part to the forefront. I can usually tell this is what’s goi...

Hey Overcomer, this week I want to share with you a very special podcast interview I did with Michael Unbroken on the Think Unbroken Podcast. I’ve gotten so much out of Michael’s work, and it was such a privilege to appear on his show. In this interview, you’ll hear me share more of my backstory than I have anywhere else, and you’ll also learn more about some foundational principles behind art the...

“I long to let it go and I don't know how.” Have you ever felt this way, Overcomer? Like there's something you long to move past, get over, or let go of....and you just can't seem to do it. It doesn't make sense. It's confusing. It feels like you're working against yourself, even though you don't want to be. Not only have I been there in the past, but I honestly think i...

Each one of us has so many different parts that make up who we are… our personality, past trauma, and other memorable moments that shape who we have become. And it’s normal for us to have certain parts of ourselves that we’re not as comfortable with. We may actively try to avoid those parts, or our subconscious mind may be pushing them down for us. What’s more, as Overcomers of narcissistic abuse,...