Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes:

How I became confused and trapped because of cognitive dissonance Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

I drove to my therapy appointment four years ago, praying and pleading for answers. Something was terribly wrong in my marriage. Should I stay? Or was I being naive for believing our relationship could be fixed?

In this podcast episode, I share more of my story and what I know now and wish I’d known then.

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).

I know I should leave this toxic relationship but why can't I? Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

What makes it so difficult to leave a toxic relationship? This question is the one I most frequently get asked. So why don’t those trapped in a narcissistically abusive relationship walk out? In this episode, we will discuss the underlying dynamics that make it challenging to end a toxic 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.

Is all this talk about narcissism good? Isn't it demonizing hurting people? Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Is all of this focus on narcissism and narcissists productive? Isn’t it attacking a broken group of people? Could we be demonizing them?

In this episode, I tackle this tough topic, the difference between a mental condition and a personality disorder, how to recognize a toxic person on the first meeting, and what to do about a smear campaign.

Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown

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 do I know I've healed enough from abuse to start dating again? Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

Surviving narcissistic abuse is tough enough. How do we know when we are ready to start date again? What are the red flags we should watch out for so we don’t end up in another toxic relationship? In this episode, we will tackle this topic as well as the importance of learning to listen to your gut and why narcissists give such mixed signals.

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.

Something is really wrong with this relationship, could I be the narcissist? Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

When relationships start to go wrong, it’s common for us to wonder if we’re the problem. Especially if there’s been a string of failed relationships. In this replay of a TikTok live, we will take a closer look at this issue as well as discuss how to resolve a trauma bond and start our healing after narcissistic abuse.

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.

Help, I'm married to a narcissist and don't know how to get out Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Most of us slowly realize something is wrong in a relationship. We often think the problems are a normal part of a new relationship—we don’t consider that maybe the problem isn’t us but our partner. What should we do when we realize we are in a relationship with a narcissist? How do we get out? In this replay of a TikTok live, we will explore what to do when we feel stuck in a destructive relationship, why we gaslight victims instead of hold predators responsible for their behaviors, dealing with a gaslighting co-parent and a vengeful partner, and finally some discussion on using the Gray Rock technique.

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.

Is there something wrong with me for falling in love with a narcissist? Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

Nearly every abuse survivor wants to know why they got into a relationship with a narcissist. Are we co-dependent, people-pleasers or could there be another dynamic in play?

In this episode we’ll talk about the latest research into this area as well as discuss the definition of marital coercion and how to grow empathy in our children.

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.

Wondering if you met your soulmate? Here's how narcissists make us fall in love Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

If narcissists are such awful people, why have so many fallen in love with one? It’s because of the mask. They create an illusion that you’ve met someone just like you. In this episode, we will explore how this happens along with other common narcissistic tactics in this replay of a TikTok live.

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.

I think this relationship is killing me. Why does it feel heartless to set boundaries? Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

We often know something is terribly wrong with our relationship. Yet, many abuse survivors struggle to set boundaries. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at why it’s challenging to do so for victims along with other topics, including how to help a friend who’s being abused and my post-trial thoughts on Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.

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 can't I tell if I'm in a relationship with someone good or bad? Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Narcissistic abuse victims’ biggest complaint is the confusion. They can’t tell if they have partnered with someone who’s good or bad. In this episode, we’re going to explore what creates the narcissist’s dual sense of self.

Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships by Dr. David Schnarch

NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up

Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship?

Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST

Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead!

Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse?

LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross

Available here at the following online stores.

And be sure to sign up for Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises!

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Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources