Dr. Donna Oriowo, PhD. owner of Annod Right and 3rd time guest on the podcast joins the show today. Dr. Donna and I have a candid conversation about misogynoir and how it is showing up in dating. Dr. Donna and I also discuss the common question, "what do you bring to the table?" We discuss why misogynoir behavior is abusive and why you should avoid people that display those traits. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation...
Jan 05, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Last week, I discussed how narcissists can draw negative attention to themselves by acting out in a variety of ways during the holidays. This week, I provide simple tips and coping strategies that can help manage the holiday stress caused by a narcissist. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be substituted for treatment w...
Dec 10, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 36
During the holidays, it's not uncommon for the narcissist in your life to draw attention to themselves by creating havoc and animosity in the home. Anything from creating a scene to giving you a demeaning gift to demonstrate your worth to them is fair game. In this podcast, I review ways that the narcissist attempts to create unnecessary drama by attempting to ruin your holiday. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or...
Dec 02, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 35
In the 100th episode, I discuss how to protect your energy and avoid holiday burnout by protecting and implementing boundaries, honoring your emotions and mental health, being mindful of spending and gift giving, protecting your time, refusing to engage in toxic behaviors, and getting plenty of rest. The purpose of the holidays is to maximize enjoyment and to reduce stress. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or pers...
Nov 26, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Eliza Boquin, LMFT and sex therapist; owner of Flow and Ease Counseling, and Co-Founder of Melanin and Mental Health joins the show today. She and I had a candid conversation about sex, shame, and how that shows up in our intimate relationships. Unresolved sexual shame prevents us from being emotionally close to our partners, unable to enjoy pleasure, and may cause to check out of our relationships mentally. We discuss whether you should "do it anyway" and have sex just to please your partner wh...
Oct 27, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 33
In this solocast, I give you my thoughts on the commonly asked question "my abuser came back into my life and wants a relationship, what should I do?" While I don't recommend going back into a relationship with an abusive person, I recognize that it may take multiple attempts to leave an abusive relationship for good. Here are some things to consider before thinking about giving a person another chance. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applica...
Oct 22, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 32
In this solocast, I discuss some of the reasons why we may gravitate towards abusive partners if we have a history of being in abusive relationships. Basic interventions are provided to help you avoid falling into a cycle of continuously connecting with abusive personalities. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be substi...
Oct 14, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Nikki Tucker, CDFA joins us to discuss how we prepare our finances for divorce. Nikki talks to us about why it's important to take control of your money, and how to make the best financial decisions when it comes to divorce. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be substituted for treatment with a licensed mental health pr...
Oct 07, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Canadian-based psychotherapist Jordan Pickell joins us on the couch today to discuss what it means to be vulnerable. Jordan also explores challenges survivors of sexual assault have with being vulnerable in their relationships. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be substituted for treatment with a licensed mental health...
Sep 30, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Nicol Stolar-Peterson, LCSW, BCD joins us today to talk about reporting child abuse. Nicol provides education on when we should report child abuse, why it's important to report it when we see or hear about it, let the reporting agency determine what will be investigated, and challenges that state agencies and law enforcement have with proving cases of child abuse. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. Each i...
Sep 24, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 28
This solocast suggests ways to extend or offer help to children and families who are experiencing narcissistic abuse. Each suggestion is not suitable or applicable to every case of narcissistic abuse. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general suggestions and is not applicable to every situation or person. Each intervention suggested should be utilized with caution. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be substituted for treat...
Sep 17, 2021•37 min•Season 3Ep. 27
This solocast is all about taking the steps to find safe relationships and emotionally healthy partners. I discuss how we work on ourselves and seek out qualities in partnerships that will foster loving healthy relationships. From mindset shifts to taking risks, this episode is for you if you desire finding love that will nurture your spirit. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general tips and suggestions. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information pro...
Sep 10, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Yolanda Renteria, LPC and I explore how the body stores memories of trauma and how trauma is passed down from generation to generation. Our bodies are wired for survival and store these painful experiences deep within our genetic makeup. Our genetics and trauma survival mechanisms contribute to repeated cycles of abuse. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general tips and suggestions. This episode may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided should not be sub...
Sep 02, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 25
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. On this episode, Michelle Goodloe LCSW and I explore what it means to be emotionally burned out. Michelle discusses the signs of emotional burnout in abusive relationships and how to prevent it. Michelle and I have a candid discussion about self-care, why it's important, how we make time for it, and why it's not...
Aug 25, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 24
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. On this episode, Ronica Cormier and I take a deep dive into narcissistic mothers and their dynamics with their daughters. We discuss the short and long-term impact of daughters who have narcissistic mothers. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general tips and suggestions. This episode may not...
Aug 20, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 23
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. After a breakup with a narcissist, it can be tempting to want to stay connected, especially if the breakup wasn't your choice. I explore why it's not a good idea to stay friends with a narcissist and it is better to cut the cord and move on. I propose solutions on what you can do to work on healing. *Please note...
Aug 05, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 22
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. I discuss why we develop trust issues. I explore why we have difficulty trusting ourselves and others, especially after leaving an abusive relationships or when there was a rupture in the relationship. *Content published on this podcast is the intellectual property of Dr. Natalie Jones, PsyD, LPCC. *Please note:...
Jul 30, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 21
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. On this episode, I discuss tips on working on yourself instead of focusing on the potential of the abuser in your relationship. It's important to manage your mental health instead of focusing your efforts on someone who is abusive. *Content published on this podcast is the intellectual property of Dr. Natalie Jo...
Jul 22, 2021•26 min•Season 3Ep. 20
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. Dr. Maria Dominguez PhD, LMFT joined us today, and she had a lot of useful information to give us regarding the inner critic. Dr. Dominguez and I explore how we internalize criticism and how we speak to ourselves, and even how our inner voices are influenced by oppression and abuse. She clarified how are inner i...
May 20, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 19
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. Dr. Joy'El Ballard MD joins us today to discuss the health of women at the gynecologist's office. Dr. Joy'El is an expert in peri-menopause. She and I have a candid conversation about how signs of abuse and boundary issues around sex can show up at the gynecologist's office. She offers education about STIs and h...
May 12, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 18
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. Quandra Chaffers, LCSW, CSE joins us today to discuss EMDR therapy for trauma, how it can be helpful when attempting to resolve traumatic experiences in relationships, and how EMDR can be used. Quandra specifically discusses the use of EMDR with therapists who are culturally sensitive to treat trauma for people ...
May 04, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 17
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC; and it's where we explore the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma through intimate discussions. Quandra Chaffers, LCSW, CSE joins us today to discuss BDSM, kink, sexual fantasies, and trauma. Quandra and discuss the difference between a healthy sex-based lifestyle vs a life-style based in trauma. Quandra also discussed how to determine if a partner is abusive and not respectful of boundaries. She also shar...
Apr 13, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 16
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Marina Williams, LMHC and author of Surviving the Toxic Family joins us on the couch today to discuss toxic family dynamics and how to overcome them. Marina offers solid tips and suggestions on managing boundaries around family toxicity. She also shares her personal struggles in managing unhealthy family conflict. *Ple...
Mar 30, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 15
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Ann Dillard, LMFT and owner of KIP Consulting Services, LLC joins us today to have a candid conversation about painful wounds in the mother-daughter relationship. Ann shares her experience with her own mother, and how it motivates her to hold positive space for her own daughter...
Mar 25, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 14
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Part 2: Anna Stowe, certified mitigation specialist and owner of Stowe Investigations joins us today to talk about her experience as being a private investigator. Anna described how women seek out her services when they are distrustful of their spouses actions. Anna discussed h...
Mar 11, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 13
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Anna Stowe, certified mitigation specialist and owner of Stowe Investigations joins us today to talk about her experience as being a private investigator. Anna describe how women seek out her services when they are distrustful of their spouses actions. Suspicions of cheating, h...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 3Ep. 12
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Today's episode addresses those who may be hurting or resentful of Valentine's Day. In this solocast, I discuss why we may be hurting on Valentine's Day and how we can cope with the hurt that we feel on this day. *Please note: Information provided on this episode are general ti...
Feb 14, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 11
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Beverly Engel, LMFT joins us today to talk about her new book Escaping Emotional Abuse. Beverly and I have a candid conversation about how powerful emotional abuse is, and how shame can keep us bound to a vicious cycle of internalized abuse. Beverly educates on how we can heal ...
Jan 26, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 10
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. Michelle Chalfant, LPC, creator The Adult Chair Podcast and I have a candid conversation about what it means to be an adult. She shares how trauma and other factors can keep us stuck in a child or adolescent state of thinking. She shared, why we stay mentally stuck, and how we ...
Jan 19, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 9
A Date With Darkness Podcast is hosted by Dr. Natalie Jones, Psyd, LPCC, a licensed psychotherapist in California. Join Dr. Jones for an intimate discussion about the effects of abuse and healing from relationship trauma. don Jose Ruiz, who co-wrote The Fifth Agreement with his father don Miguel Ruiz (author of The Four Agreements ) joined us today to discuss the motivation behind his book. He shared some of his life's tragic experiences of trauma and substance abuse and how he fought and overca...
Jan 12, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 8
