Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes:

If it was just a "situationship", why do I feel so miserable? Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara respond to a listener's letter about the struggle of recovering from even just a situationship with a narcissist. Relationships with narcissists can impact us negatively even when they aren't long-term ones! And today's self-help tip is about learning to replace previous/negative habits and behaviors with positives ones.

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).

Does everyone deserve our kindness? How to reduce the risk of being exploited Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara share some of their struggles with figuring out the difference between being selfish and having self-respect. Many of us see boundaries or self-care as inherently "selfish." And today's self-help tip is assessing the motive of your or others' actions.

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.

Am I still trauma bonded? Top Signs That You’ve Broken That Toxic Connection Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara share the initial signs they had broken the trauma bond with their exes. Intense connections get formed with toxic partners and family members that can be very controlling. Breaking them is an essential part of healing. And today's self-help tip is using your observational power to recall possible consequences of any potential action as a personal boundary.
Links:

Betrayal Bonds: Breaking Free of Exploitative Relationships by Patrick Carnes
Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Season 1 Episode 64: I think I'm trauma bonded. Now what? How do I start my healing?

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.

My relationship is toxic? I thought all relationships required a lot of work Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara address a common fallacy that all relationships are a lot of hard work. We will explore why many of us struggle to recognize signs of a toxic partnership. And the self-help tip is using our bodily sensations to identify safe connections and situations.
Links:

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson
Recovery from Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson
Toxic People by Lillian Glasse
Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Season 1 Episode 20: To avoid being lovebombed by a narcissist, how much is too much to share?

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 will I know when I'm supposed to leave? What if I make the wrong decision? Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara tackle one of the most asked questions of abuse survivors: how do I know if I should leave? We'll discuss the common hindrances to making this decision and how to support a loved one who's trapped in this kind of indecisiveness. Today's self-help tip is to make a realistic budget for expenses if you should decide to leave.
Links:

Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay by Mira Kirshenbaum
Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Season 1 Episode 52: I just left the narcissist; how do I stop this terrible pain?

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.

Could you be at risk? Why you should be afraid of the Dark Triad Personality Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara discuss a particularly dangerous group of people, the Dark Triad Personality Disorders. And today's self-help tip is how to assess if someone you know is a one.
Links:

Is My Partner Toxic or Dangerous? Find out with this short survey
If you’re wanting to exit a toxic relationship safety, here are some things to consider.
Adam Grant
Definition of the Light Triad Personality type
Robert Hare, Ph.D. Expert on psychopathy
Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Season 1 Episode 47: How does a narcissist or a psychopath differ? Aren't both abusive?

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.

Friends as Enemies: What to do when those you love are narcissistic May 22, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Kerry and Tara tackle how complicated it can be when the narcissists in your life can also be friends or family members. And the self-help tip is a visualization strategy for your boundaries.
Links:

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Season 1 Episode 69: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2150391/12420137-ready-for-the-holidays-my-three-top-tips-for-dealing-with-difficult-relatives-and-in-laws

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 can my narcissistic ex move on so easily? The Problem of Grief May 15, 2023

Show notes

Victims of narcissistic abuse often complain about seeing happy photos of their exes on social media. In this episode, Kerry and Tara will discuss why some people move on so quickly and easily after leaving a relationship. And the Self-Help Tip will be how to use "containment" for intense emotions like grief.
Links:

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.

Waking up to a Stranger: What Happens Once Love Bombing is Over May 08, 2023

Show notes

Have you noticed how narcissists and toxic people morph into someone new once love-bombing is over? In this episode, Kerry and Tara examine the chameleon-like nature of personality disorders and how this creates confusion and self-doubt for victims. And the self-help tip is a helpful exercise to expose if this dynamic is happening in your current relationship.

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.

Announcement Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse will be dropping a new episode on May 8, 2023. In the meantime feel to listen to previous episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2150391

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources