No Visible Bruises

Pre-order my NEW book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order   At forty, I believed my life was over. I had just ended a relationship with a covert narcissist and felt he had taken the best years of my life, leaving me with nothing but a downhill journey.  However, I came to realise that I was blaming others for my feelings and was stuck in a functional freeze response. On the surface, I seem...

Pre-order my NEW book here:  http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order   Join my FREE Trauma Bonding Masterclass, 8pm BST Sunday 30th June: https://carolinestrawson.com/trauma-bond Even if you can’t attend live, sign up to be sent a copy of the recording after it concludes.   We’ve all experienced trauma. It isn’t an event or person, it’s what happens inside of us and that can reinforce how we feel. I...

Join my FREE Trauma Bonding Masterclass, 8pm BST Sunday 30th June: https://carolinestrawson.com/trauma-bond Even if you can’t attend live, sign up to be sent a copy of the recording after it concludes.   Do you find yourself constantly attracting toxic and narcissistic individuals, unable to break free from the cycle? You’re not alone. This isn't just a coincidence—it’s an addiction. But rest assu...

Join the waitlist for my Safe and Sound Protocol program: https://carolinestrawson.com/ssp-waitlist   Do you ever find yourself unable to enjoy the music you once loved or find that your ears are particularly sensitive to loud noises?    You're not alone. This can be a common experience for those who have endured significant stress or trauma. In my case, I experienced this first-hand during my mar...

Pre-order my new book here:  http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order   Narcissism is a topic I’m really passionate about because I believe it’s widely misunderstood. The term "narcissistic" is often overused in our society, with many people being labelled as narcissists without truly exhibiting those traits.   Misusing the word "narcissistic" diminishes the experiences of those who have genuinely su...

Join my FREE parenting masterclass:  https://carolinestrawson.com/parenting-masterclass   Parenting and narcissism are two words that should not be in any sentence. This abuse is not something you should have to deal with whilst trying to raise a family.   In this episode, we'll delve into: Understanding the traits and actions of a narcissistic co-parent and how they impact both you and your child...

Pre-order my new book here:  http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order   Are you struggling to find the mojo to get out and exercise again after you’ve experienced trauma? Maybe you’ve broken out of an abusive relationship and want to lose weight, but you just keep struggling?   Trauma, whether physical or emotional, can significantly impact your motivation and ability to engage in healthy behaviours....

Have you found yourself entangled with narcissistic individuals, struggling with a freeze response, or experiencing trauma bonding? If so, you're not alone. Join me in the launch of my latest book, "How To Heal After Narcissistic Abuse." This project is deeply personal, born from my own tumultuous journey through a challenging marriage with a covert narcissist. Back then, I didn't even understand...

Have you struggled to heal from past trauma or difficult childhood experiences? Do you find yourself stuck in unhealthy patterns or coping mechanisms without fully understanding why? What if there was a therapeutic approach that could help you gain insight into your inner world and see yourself and others in a more compassionate light?  Internal Family Systems therapy has helped many people recove...

There is a growing trend of women receiving diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or bipolar. The symptoms of which often arise from their experiences in abusive relationships.   Unfortunately, when these women seek help, they are frequently misdiagnosed. Instead of receiving appropriate support, they are often told to medicate and move on with their lives.   However, this approach is inade...

Have you ever found yourself in a cycle of leaving an unhealthy relationship only to return, feeling trapped and unable to break free? This phenomenon, known as trauma bonding, is one I know well from my time with my ex-husband, but also stemming from my relationship to my father.   In this episode, we delve into: What is trauma bonding and how to recognise it How trauma bonding affects all types...

Do you ever experience a sense of detachment from your surroundings? Even in the presence of others, you might feel as though you're not fully engaged.   My former spouse exhibited covert narcissistic traits, and I found myself stuck in a freeze response for decades. I was completely disconnected from reality, wearing a smile that masked my functional freeze.    In this episode, you will learn: Wh...

Have you been cheated on? My ex-husband was a perpetual cheater, and yet I blamed myself for not being good enough for him. It took years of self-reflection and understanding to see that it wasn’t my fault, and so I want to pass on to you how to break the vicious cycle of cheating and betrayal.   In this episode, you will learn: What is betrayal trauma and how it affects us Why cheating is NOT nor...

Are you ready to reclaim your body from the grip of trauma? A healing path exists that will loosen trauma's roots and give you back control. Your wellness is within reach - all it will take is courage to face the past and it will give you power over your present.   In this episode you will learn: Why trauma still lingers in your body after all these years How to set yourself free from stored traum...

Is narcissism more common in leadership roles? I believe that it is!   Successful leaders in business and politics may have to exhibit narcissistic traits in order to progress in their careers.   Narcissistic bosses tend to only show empathy and care when it benefits them, but may privately abuse you to gain "narcissistic supply." While not all leaders are narcissists, a handful of leaders can be...

I used to focus solely on narcissistic abuse and trauma recovery however, I realised I wanted to broaden the podcast to look at trauma and narcissism in a more holistic way.   I'll be sharing my personal journey with you - what led me to make the decision to rebrand and why I now call the show "Trauma and Narcissism Redefined". I'll also introduce you to some new frameworks I've learned, like Inte...

We often picture a narcissist as being the person who enters a room full of confidence and aims to get the whole room to notice them, however, not all narcissists are the same, and in this episode, I’m going to discuss a type of narcissist that doesn’t get much attention, the Vulnerable Narcissist. What you will learn in this episode: The typical behaviours of a Vulnerable Narcissist How a Vulnera...

We hear the word ‘narcissist’ thrown around so much these days, so much so that it feels like everyone is branded with the word. In this episode, I’m going to discuss how the word is used and the differences between the word being used casually and the actual diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. What you will learn in this episode: What the word ‘narcissist’ actually represents. Is the...

There are two words that should never be used at the same time, narcissism and parenting. Unfortunately, having children with a narcissist is a situation that so many people find themselves in, and it’s one of the biggest issues people come to me with. So, in this episode, I will discuss how you can raise your children successfully, even when their other parent is a narcissist.  What you will lear...

When the narcissist knows you know and they’re exposed for who they truly are, it all unravels for them, but how does their behaviour change? One thing is guaranteed, they won’t admit to being in the wrong and they won’t change their behaviour for the better. All too often, they will try to shift the blame onto you and will do everything in their power to make you look like the bad person. So, in...

Have you ever reacted to a situation in such a negative way that you end up questioning if you’re the problem? This is what we call Reactive Abuse. I had never heard of the term when I came out of the relationship with my narcissistic husband. Still, when I learnt what it meant, I was so grateful, as it meant that my reactions were a result of all of the abuse I had endured and not a reflection of...

Many people feel that a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or ADHD is a permanent label. However, it doesn't have to be like that. These conditions often stem from past experiences. To heal, it's important to understand and address the root causes of our feelings. In this episode, I’ll discuss how we can look inside and heal from our past, instead of putting a band-aid on our feelings like so many...

Narcissistic abuse causes us to act in so many different ways as a response to the trauma, this is our body creating a protector part of ourselves to try and make us feel safe. One of these protector parts can show up as over-explaining! Do you find it hard to simply say “no” to a request, without going into an essay into why you can’t do something? This is over-explaining, and I was the QUEEN of...

One of the hardest things for me after leaving my narcissistic husband was getting back into the dating scene. Not only do we feel a lack of self-worth after narcissistic abuse, but we are often so afraid to end up in a relationship with another narcissist. So, in this episode, I’m going to share with you 10 ways to spot a narcissist on a first date. What you will learn in this episode: The common...

Navigating the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissist can be emotionally taxing. To address this, it's crucial to develop strategies for managing our own emotions in these situations, especially when they're the other parent of our children. In this episode, I’ll explore how to understand the root causes of our emotional responses and share techniques to handle them. What you will learn in t...