Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss the signs of cognitive dissonance and the impact it can have on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. And, the self-help tip is on how to practice H.A.L.T in order to get back to practicing the basics. Links:  Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1, episode 24: If it’s that bad, why don’t narcissistic abuse victims just leave? Listen here....

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss how we might actually gaslight in healthy relationships and how to avoid doing this in the future. And, the self-help tip is on letting others "earn" our trust before blindly giving it to them. Links:  Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1, episode 30:  Listen here. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. K...

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss codependency vs. Super Traits, what's the difference, and why we differ in how we feel about each of the terms. And, the self-help tip is on how to create a list of top lines for yourself. Links:  Repeat After Me by Claudia Black Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: Melody Beattie Facing Codependency: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotage...

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara give an intimate look at the emotional power of a trauma bond. How trauma bonds create mental confusion and a psychological dependence on the abuser. And, the self-help tip is on the importance of identifying and protecting non-negotiable boundaries. Links:  Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1 episode 58: Listen here. Submit your question to be ans...

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss co-parenting challenges when you have a toxic ex. How do you stay regulated when kids are involved, and what do you do when the kids are being used as pawns? Today's self-help tip is learning to talk to yourself as if you were a friend. Links:  Onward OurFamilyWizard WeParent CustodyConnection Parentship 2Houses Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse s...

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss why your toxic ex might come back and try to lovebomb you after the break-up through, what may seem like, innocent requests of friendship. We agree that while their offer may seem tantalizing, DON'T do it! Today's self-help tip is a different way to approach communicating with toxic people. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources Re...

In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss following through with limited contact or no contact after a break-up. What is limited vs. no contact? How long should you do it for? And WHY should you do it? Today's self-help tip is one way to self-soothe during reactive abuse. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete R...

Research has found that over 99% of victims in abusive relationships were also being financially abused. Could you be experiencing financial abuse? In this episode, Kerry and Tara will identify the common indicators of this abuse type along with some suggestions on how to overcome it. And today's self-help tip discusses the importance of leading with your head and not your heart when making big re...

In this week’s episode, Kerry and Tara discuss the common problem of exes trying to return after a breakup. Tara also shares why it's necessary to be careful with following self-help advice in this week's self-help tip.  Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First S...

In this week’s episode, Kerry and Tara discuss the use of narcissistic abuse. It's become a very popular topic on social media. Is it being overused? Then in the Self-Help Tip for today, we'll share how to handle a common argument tactic like DARVO. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narciss...

In this week’s episode, Kerry and Tara discuss setting realistic goals in 2023 and the Self-Help Tip is a simple strategy on how to hold better boundaries. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving : Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Rel...

Welcome back to a new season! I’m being joined with a co-host, Tara Blair Ball, author & relationship coach and kicking off a new self-help tip segment.  Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving : Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relat...

Narcissist and other difficult people love to ruin the holidays. They will find some way to make it harder on you. In this episode I’m going to offer three of my favorite tips on how to manage this year’s holiday season so that it’s more manageable and meaningful. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Colle...

Narcissistic abuse damages our sense of self because our sense of self is constantly in flux. An exchange of psychological influence occurs between us and those around us. This episode will look closely at this process and how abuse impacts it as well as outline some ways to begin healing self-esteem after abuse. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's A...

Have you noticed how narcissists can take a seemingly straightforward decision and turn it into an exhausting, nonsensical circular argument? The constant conflict can mess with us and make us think we’re the problem. In this episode, we will explore this common dynamic, including how to determine who’s creating the problems. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou :...

Does abuse affect children the same way as the adult partner? Today, I’m joined by Bri Peterson of Abuse is Abuse. Both of us experienced emotional or narcissistic abuse as children and adults. In this episode, we will explore the differences between both types of abuse. Was the cognitive dissonance the same? How did that affect our sense of self? Submit your question to be answered on air here! R...

Anyone looking for a mental health clinician with expertise in narcissistic abuse knows this is challenging. What makes this so difficult? In this episode, we’ll explain why finding a therapist is difficult and give tips on how to vet a potential one. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narci...

Trauma bonds are painful connection with another person that is based on fear. There’s an addictive quality making them very hard to break. In this episode, we will briefly define a trauma bond and then identify the initial steps to breaking one. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissist...

It’s become popular to spend time thinking about psychopathic and narcissistic abuses—for us to obsess over what’s happened to us. In this episode, we’ll explore whether this way of thinking is good for us and how to tell if we’re falling into unhealthiness as we try to make sense of the  Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app Th...

Have you heard of the acronym DARVO? It’s a nasty type of gaslighting that flips the script and attacks us when we bring up an issue. In this episode, we will address the underlying dynamic of this abusive practice along with the three steps to combatting it effectively. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recover...

It’s tough when you first leave a narcissistically abusive relationship. Your partner has made most of the decision, and over time, you’ve given up more and more of yourself, betraying yourself and your sense of safety. How is trust rebuilt? In this episode, we will examine why reclaiming our self-integrity and relying on our intuition is challenging, along with a few practical steps to begin your...

The most common, useless advice given to victims is just to leave. Why do we say this when we know it’s hurtful and probably, not useful? In this episode, we will examine the underlying biases and assumptions about abuse and abuse victims. Why there’s a cultural blindness to victims’ plight and how it leads us to neglect this most vulnerable group. Submit your question to be answered on air here!...

I recently started reading a book that’s been around a while—Neil Strauss’ book called The Game, though he’s since come out against the practices described in it. It’s all about his experiences of learning how to manipulate women sexually through post-hypnotic suggestions and other psychologically manipulative strategies. Despite knowing there are online resources and groups encouraging predatory...

Have you heard of the term “trauma bond?” It’s a condition similar to being brainwashed by Stockholm’s Syndrome. Victims recovering from narcissistic abuse liken the breaking of a trauma bond to overcoming a heroin addiction. In this podcast episode, we will cover the seven stages of a trauma bond and how to begin recovery. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr...

Every victim wants to know how they got into a toxic or dangerous relationship. Was there an early sign of danger that they missed? Were they too trusting, gullible, or naive? Most victims have been accused of being codependent. What does research have to say? In this episode, we will dig deeper into this topic, particularly Sandra L. Brown’s groundbreaking research into the dynamics of pathologic...