Fake Love and Flying Monkeys

Why do smart, empathic people keep ending up in emotionally painful relationships? In this first episode of 2026,  I unpack why loving the wrong people isn’t a flaw — it’s conditioning. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) I speak candidly about n...

Trigger warning: Abuse doesn’t always start with obvious violence — it often begins with intimidation, manipulation, and control. The slammed fist into the wall beside your head, a plate hurled that just misses, your car blocked in so you can’t leave, or the threat of suicide if you try to walk away. These are deliberate tactics designed to dominate, silence, and keep you trapped in fear. (For 1 o...

For a narcissist, the most terrifying moment isn’t when you argue, fight, or even walk out the door. Their real breaking point comes when they finally realise you are never coming back. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode of Fake...

Ever wondered why some friendships leave you feeling drained, anxious, or doubting yourself? It might not be you — it could be a covert narcissist hiding in plain sight. In this episode, we dive into the subtle but serious dangers of having a covert narcissist friend. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://bright...

Ever find yourself constantly second-guessing your reality, apologising for things you didn’t do, or walking on eggshells to avoid someone’s anger? These are not just “relationship problems” — they may be signs you’re caught in the cycle of narcissistic abuse. (For 1:1 online counselling/support in healing from and understanding your own toxic relationship please visit my website at www.brighterou...

The female narcissist is often compared to a black widow spider — alluring, seductive, and deadly to her prey. In relationships, her weapon of choice is emasculation. She strips her victim of confidence, ridicules his masculinity, and weaves a web of control that leaves him doubting his worth. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my...

To outsiders, narcissistic families often appear flawless—supportive parents, successful children, and a picture-perfect life. Yet beneath the surface lies manipulation, control, and emotional abuse that remain hidden from the public eye.  (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/o...

What do you do when the narcissist’s texts flip between “I love you” and radio silence? In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I break down the real meaning behind their late-night messages, sudden love bombs, ghosting tactics, and manipulative wordplay. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighterou...

Ever been hit with anger that comes out of nowhere — and somehow leaves you questioning yourself? In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I dive into narcissistic rage: what it really is, why narcissists explode over seemingly “nothing,” and why it’s never your fault. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https...

Have you ever had a narcissist in your life say, “Let’s be friends” after a breakup or fallout? In this episode, we dive deep into what they really mean, why it’s not about genuine friendship, and how these manipulative words keep you trapped in the trauma bond. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutl...

Struggling with narcissistic abuse? Learn the 6 damaging lies narcissists tell others behind your back to manipulate, isolate, and control the narrative. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode, I reveal six things narcissists commonl...

 If you’ve been wondering why healing feels like a rollercoaster, why your body stays on high alert long after the abuse ends, or why everyday moments can trigger intense emotional reactions, this episode is for you. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-servi...

If you're still feeling anxious, jumpy, or emotionally raw long after leaving a narcissistic relationship, you're not alone. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this 2 part series of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I break down 7 commo...

Ever feel like the narcissist got away with everything while you were left to pick up the pieces?  (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this powerful episode, I unpack the brutal aftermath of narcissistic abuse—why they seem to be thriving, why...

Why does the narcissist feel so threatened by the person they once love-bombed, idealised, and tried to control? (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ )  In this powerful episode, I dive into the rising phenomenon of the Super Empath — the highly int...

Do narcissists actually believe the stuff they say?  (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I break down 7 of the most common—and most mind-bending—delusions all narcissists believe. This is the deep...

What really happens when the narcissist loses control of you, and realises their grip on you is gone? (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I break down the moment every survivor of narcissistic abus...

Ever had someone say, “I’m sorry you feel that way,” and leave you feeling more dismissed than understood? If so, you might have just encountered one of the covert narcissist’s most manipulative tactics in action. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services...

Think it's just romantic partners who can be narcissistic? Think again. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I’m diving deep into how narcissism shows up in all types of relationships—not just...

Ever had a “friend” who seems supportive, checks in on you sweetly… and then somehow everything you say magically makes its way back to the narcissist? Yep—that’s the flying monkey friend.  (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode, we’...

They act like your best friend in the meeting... and your worst nightmare behind closed doors. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this eye-opening episode of Fake Love & Flying Monkeys, I dive deep into the manipulative world of the workp...

Have you been blamed for the very abuse you endured? Did the narcissist tell everyone you were the toxic one—while playing the victim themselves? (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode,  I break down one of the most devastating tacti...

They ghost you, block you, abuse you—then pop up like nothing ever happened. Why? (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this eye-opening episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we unpack one of the most confusing behaviours in narcissistic abus...

What happens when the narcissist doesn’t just come after you—but starts poisoning your child’s mind against you? And worse—what happens when the court system believes it’s your fault. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this raw, eye-opening e...

Have you ever noticed how the narcissist in your life seems to get annoyed—or even angry—when you’re finally doing well? When you’re smiling, thriving, feeling peaceful... they suddenly go cold, start a fight, or make a snarky comment that sucks the joy right out of the room? (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https:...