The Toxicity Survival Guide

This episode I turn to the wisdom of Aristotle to help us unpack why anger is totally good and appropriate for us survivors of toxic family. I break down Aristotle's views on when anger is good into three main criteria and show how almost everyone who has experienced long term abuse at the hands of toxic family will benefit from being angry.  Let me know what you think of this episode: ...

So many survivors just want to officially close the chapter on this toxic relationship. Many of us imagine that if we just got an apology from the toxic person we could move forward with our lives. In this episode, I explore why this apology, even if you got it, is unlikely to bring you what you are looking for.  Email: dr.louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/em...

It is hard to figure out what the right thing to do is when it comes to siblings. Whether you are navigating a younger sibling who is still legally in the custody of toxic parents or your adult sibling is acting as a flying monkey for your toxic parents, these situations are ethically complex! In this episode I give you three big ways that you can successfully navigate this situation.  If you...

We hear it all the time - "Don't talk bad about your parents, they were only doing their best."  And it is a bunch of BS. Here is a deep dive look at why these sorts of comments are harmful.  Email me: dr.louise@empowermentthroughthought.com Instagram: @empowermentthroughthought

Overachieving survivors are amazing at getting focused to achieve their goals. But sometimes this ability can create a challenge in our pursuit of becoming a thriving survivor. I explore what those challenges look like and what you can do about it.  Contact me: dr.louise@empowermentthroughthought.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

It can be very disruptive to be triggered as a survivor. In this episode, I talk about why triggers are hard to handle and also why they can actually help us advance on our healing journey. The answer might surprise you!  Contact me: dr.louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com  Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

Three big ideas on why you should be setting those boundaries even if it is coming from a place of overreacting.  Grab the boundary setting guide here: https://www.empowermentthroughthought.com/GuidetoNoContact Chat with me over on Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

It is not irrational to be suspicious of love for survivors. We have tons of lived experience to support the fact that love is not trustworthy and we have nervous systems that reminds us that love has historically been dangerous for us. The good news is we absolutely can learn to authentically feel the love.  Learn about working with me on my website: www.empowermentthroughthought.com 

I explore whether it make sense to be bitter and give some concrete tips on what you can do if you decide you want to let go of bitterness.  Learn more about working with me: www.empowermentthroughthought.com/work-with-me

Learn more about working with me: www.empowermentthroughthought.com/work-with-me

This is tricky thing that many survivors have to deal with. I've got some concrete things you can do as a survivor to help your partner make the realizations that you have already discovered.  Website: www.empowermentthroughthought.com  Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

This one might be controversial, but that supposed *need* to have somebody else tell you that you did the right thing might not be helping you on your healing journey.  Learn more about working with me here: https://www.empowermentthroughthought.com/work-with-me Email me: dr.louise@empowermentthroughthought.com  Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

Toxic people abused us by controlling us, so turning around and exerting control over ourselves doesn't seem like a good plan. But then how do we push ourselves to do stuff outside of our comfort zone? The answer lies in recognizing our agency and really getting in touch with all the many choices that are available to us.  Work with me: www.empowermentthroughthought.com/work-with-me Instagram...

The glories of January are upon us and so comes the horrible entourage of diet ads and exhausting exercise regimes. Here are three big reasons survivors should think twice before the jump on board the diet train.  Want to know more about HOW to listen to your body? Join us over at The Survivor's Plaza over on Facebook for a free training on doing exactly that. 

Three big things to be aware of as you move through the New Year Hype for 2022. These ideas can keep you from undermining your own healing work on this survivor journey.  Survivor's Roadmap: www.empowermentthroughthought.com/roadmap Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

Three big reasons that you might be doing the morally right thing by choosing not to spend your holidays with toxic people.  Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought Email me: dr.louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com

I cover three big reasons it is totally ok as a survivor to not be into the holidays. Survivors are on a complex journey and sometimes that holiday energy hits us differently depending on where we are in our healing journey.  Be sure to get your complementary session booked.  Instagram: @empowermentthroughthought Email: dr louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com

Inspired by a recent experience of having another coach steal my work over on Instagram, this episode covers red flags for working with professionals on your healing journey.  If you have been considering hoping on a complementary call with me, do so here .  If you want to join me over on Instagram, do so here . 

After explaining how I am not totally healed when it comes to the holidays myself, I explain how I have done a bit better with Christmas. I lay out three big things you can do in order to heal your relationship to the holidays, even if you are still actively dealing with toxic people in your face.  Grab the masterclass here: https://www.empowermentthroughthought.com/offers/Tp9PjLDo/checkout&n...

Three big strategies for getting through that dreaded holiday meal.  If you are looking for more support, be sure to check out "Surviving the Holidays: How to Deal When You Are Navigating Toxic People"  You can check it out here In this episode, I mention a reel over on my IG, you can find it here Email me: dr.louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermen...

Toxic people are super challenging to deal with as an adult. They can be even more challenging to deal with as a kid. In this episode, I reflect on some of the things I would have liked as a child of toxic parents, and some concrete things you can do to help the kids in your life navigate these difficult topics.  Surviving The Holidays Masterclass:  Email me: dr.louise @ empowermentthrou...

So its a bit controversial, but honestly, I believe becoming an expert in how psychologists unpack toxic people is not the best move as survivor. Be sure to listen to the end to hear what I think is a much better strategy for survivors.  Email me: dr.louise@empowermentthroughthought.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought

Three things I wish I knew before setting those big boundaries. The last one is so so important so be sure to listen till the end.  Catch me on Instagram www.instagram.com/empowermentthroughthought Sign up for my emails here https://www.empowermentthroughthought.com/ig-link-in-bio Shoot me an email directly dr.louise @ empowermentthroughthought.com

You might not have thought of it, but taking time to envision a future where we are no longer under the control of toxic people is so important. This act of dreaming can really help us undermine the power of toxic people and reclaim our agency along the way. I this episode I cover why dreaming is so important and some concrete ideas to help you jump start your own dreaming habit. 

One reason we sometimes hold back from going no-contact is this fear that someday we will regret cutting these folks out of our lives. The first person I ever went no-contact with was my toxic mother. Its been 12 years since that day and I can honestly report to you, I have never regretted it for a minute. I hurt a lot but its not because I miss her - it is because I miss having someone to be the...