Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes:

What to Do When You Lose Custody in Court: Answering Your Fan Mail Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

This week’s Fan Mail brings us two powerful questions:

• From Syracuse, New York: “The family referee took my custody and handed it over to the father who was absent for years. My children have been separated from their siblings, and I’m only allowed one hour a week of visitation. The court won’t let me present my evidence, and I feel silenced and helpless. What can I do?”

From Wichita, Kansas
And from Kansas City, Missouri, a listener asks: “How do I get access to the Podcast Extras?”

In this episode, Dr. Kerry tackles both concerns. First, she validates the heartbreak of a mother caught in post-separation abuse reinforced by the family court system.

Then, in response to the Wichita and Kansas City listeners, Dr. Kerry explains how to access the Podcast Extras—exclusive deep-dive interviews with leading experts on narcissistic abuse recovery.

Submit Your Question

If you would like your question addressed on air, please respond here.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice, nor does listening create a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (US/Canada).

Podcast Trailer: Welcome to Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Join Dr. Kerry McAvoy on Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse for real talk about toxic relationships and recovery. Mondays feature expert interviews, Thursdays bring our new Fan Mail Q&A. Get clarity, validation, and tools to heal.

Stay in Touch with Dr. Kerry!

More About Dr. Kerry

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. Her blogs have been featured in Mamami, YourTango, Scary Mommy, and The Good Men Project.

In Love You More, Dr. McAvoy gives an uncensored glimpse into her survival of narcissistic abuse, and her workbook, First Steps to Leaving a Narcissist, helps victims break free from the confusion common in abusive relationships. She hosts the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast and offers trauma-related advice on social media.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

When Men Say They’ve Been Abused: A Conversation with Josh from The Derelict Podcast Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Disclaimer: This interview features perspectives from a male divorce coach navigating toxic dynamics. While some views expressed differ from those of trauma-informed psychology, I found it valuable to explore these tensions in real time. Please listen with care, and note that I challenge certain assumptions as we go.

This week, I sit down with Josh Tomeoni, a divorce coach who shares his story of what he describes as abuse within his long-term marriage. Josh opens up about the male experience of toxic relationships and why so many men don’t recognize emotional abuse.

Podcast Extra Exclusive Interview

Find it here in the exclusive interview and weekly newsletter: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse

More About the Podcast Extra Interview

What happens when a man says he’s been emotionally abused?

In this exclusive interview, Josh explores how some men frame abuse differently—and what that reveals about cultural conditioning.

Get immediate access to this extended conversation—and hear where I draw the line between “toxic” dynamics and true abuse.

👉 Join today: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse

MORE ABOUT JOSH:

The Derelict Podcast

Instagram

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

When Your Therapist is the Narcissist! + Answering Your Fan Mail Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

What happens when a narcissistic therapist uses their professional training against you?

This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Seattle who writes: “I dated a narcissist who was also a licensed clinical social worker. Can you talk about the weaponization of therapeutic training by narcissists?”

In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks how narcissistic mental health professionals can use psychology to pathologize your emotions and silence your voice, how the imbalance of power could be weaponized against you.

Submit Your Question

If you would like your question addressed on air, please respond here.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

How the Victim’s Personality & Attachment Styles Shape Healing and Recovery - Featuring Chelli Pumphrey Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Do you know what one of the most dangerous traps you can fall for? Believing that you can “fix” a narcissist’s early attachment wounds.

In this exclusive episode, therapist and author Chelli Pumphrey explains why narcissists rarely have secure attachments.

PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Find it here for the exclusive interview and weekly newsletter.

MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA

🔹 What’s the attachment style of a narcissist?

In this powerful bonus conversation, Chelli Pumphrey shares the impact of narcissists’ attachment styles on relationship dynamics.

Get immediate access to this extended interview—and discover which attachment styles are more common among narcissists and other personality disorders.

👉 Join today: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse

MORE ABOUT CHELLI:

Book: Insight is 20/20: How To Trust Yourself To Protect Yourself From Narcissistic Abuse & Toxic Relationships

Website

CHELLI PUMPHREY, LPC, CCTP-II, NAST, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of clinical experience.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Can You Really Heal a Trauma Bond? + Why Do Narcissists Cheat? Answering Your Fan Mail Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Can you really heal a trauma bond—or is the damage permanent?

This week’s Fan Mail features two powerful questions. The first comes from a YouTube listener who asks: “Is it really possible to break a trauma bond? Even Dr. Ramani says she still struggles daily—so what’s the point of fighting, especially if kids are involved?”

The second comes from a listener in New York, New York who wants to know: “Why do narcissists cheat—and how can you tell if it’s happening to you?”

In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks the reality of healing from trauma bonds, offering both hope and hard truth, and explores the eight most common reasons narcissists cheat—plus the warning signs to watch for in your relationship.

Submit Your Question

If you would like your question addressed on air, please respond here.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

When Your Mother Hurts Instead of Loves You: Understanding The Controlling Mom Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Can you ever be “good enough” for a difficult mother?

In this episode, psychotherapist Katherine Fabrizio, author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, reveals why empathic daughters feel trapped in cycles of guilt, exhaustion, and approval-seeking—and how to reclaim your power and identity finally.

Tronick’s Still (Blank) Face Experiment

PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Find it here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse for the exclusive interview and weekly newsletter.

MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA

🔹 Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying “no”—it’s about grieving the mother you wish you had while facing the reality of the one you do.

In this powerful bonus conversation, Katherine Fabrizio shares how to let go of the fantasy of a different mom,

Get immediate access to this extended interview—and discover the strength to set boundaries that honor your life.

👉 Join today: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse

MORE ABOUT DR. FABRIZIO

KATHERINE FABRIZIO, M.A., L.C.M.H.C., is a psychotherapist, mother, and the author of the Amazon bestseller.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Why Do We REALLY Stay? Answering Your Fan Mail Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

This week’s fan mail dives into two powerful questions about surviving emotional abuse.

First, Dr. Kerry explores what it means when you stop crying—and why emotional shutdown can be a survival mechanism in toxic relationships. Then she tackles whether the sunk cost fallacy is really what keeps us stuck with a narcissist, or if something deeper is at play.

Submit Your Question!

If you would like your question addressed on air, please respond here!

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

How to Outsmart a Narcissist in Court: Family Law Secrets from Michele Locke Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Going through a custody battle or divorce with a narcissist? The you know the legal system can feel stacked against you.

This week, former family law judge and attorney Michele Locke reveals exactly how narcissists twist the truth, exploit legal loopholes, and weaponize the court process — and what you can do to outsmart them.

Podcast Extra Exclusive Interview

Find it here the exclusive interview and weekly newsletter.

More About the Podcast Extra Interview

🔹 Choosing the wrong attorney in a custody battle can cost you more than money—it can cost you your case.

In this members-only conversation, former family law judge Michele Locke shares how to spot when your lawyer isn’t the right fit and exactly what to do if you need to make a switch mid-case.

Get immediate access to this extended interview—and make sure the person representing you is truly fighting for your future.

👉 Join today: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse.

More About Michele Locke:

Website: https://www.coldwellbowes.com/people/michele-l-locke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attorneymichelelocke/

Podcast - LoveLustLaw: https://www.michelelocke.com/podcast

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Practical Steps to Stopping the Crazy Confusion: Answering Your Fan Mail Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

What do you do when you can’t just cut off a toxic person?

This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who asks: “How do I stop the cognitive dissonance and self-doubt when I can’t go no-contact with a toxic person?”

In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why cognitive dissonance is such a powerful trap in emotionally abusive relationships—especially when you’re forced to maintain contact.

Submit Your Question

If you would like your question addressed on air, please respond here!

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources