Send us a text Narcissist and other difficult people love to ruin the holidays. They will find some way to make it harder on you. In this episode I’m going to offer three of my favorite tips on how to manage this year’s holiday season so that it’s more manageable and meaningful. I'll be back next year for season 2! Register now to 6 Steps to Reclaiming Inner Peace and Confidence. Group coaching with Trey de la Torre and Dr. McAvoy . Next six sessions start January 7th. Follow me on Tiktok , Inst...
Dec 22, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Send us a text Narcissistic abuse damages our sense of self because our sense of self is constantly in flux. An exchange of psychological influence occurs between us and those around us. This episode will look closely at this process and how abuse impacts it as well as outline some ways to begin healing self-esteem after abuse. Get early bird tickets to How Could He Do That? Live Interview with Lundy Bancroft . Watch the webinar live and have some of your questions answered. Ticketholders will a...
Dec 19, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Send us a text Have you noticed how narcissists can take a seemingly straightforward decision and turn it into an exhausting, nonsensical circular argument? The constant conflict can mess with us and make us think we’re the problem. In this episode, we will explore this common dynamic, including how to determine who’s creating the problems. Register now to 6 Steps to Reclaiming Inner Peace and Confidence. Group coaching with Trey de la Torre and Dr. McAvoy . Next six sessions start January 7th. ...
Dec 15, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Send us a text Does abuse affect children the same way as the adult partner? Today, I’m joined by Bri Peterson of Abuse is Abuse. Both of us experienced emotional or narcissistic abuse as children and adults. In this episode, we will explore the differences between both types of abuse. Was the cognitive dissonance the same? How did that affect our sense of self? Watch the replay of the webinar with Dr. Sandra L. Brown "How Could I’ve Fallen for a Dangerous Man?" Get early bird tickets to How Cou...
Dec 12, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Send us a text Anyone looking for a mental health clinician with expertise in narcissistic abuse knows this is challenging. What makes this so difficult? In this episode, we’ll explain why finding a therapist is difficult and give tips on how to vet a potential one. Watch the replay of the webinar with Dr. Sandra L. Brown "How Could I’ve Fallen for a Dangerous Man?" Get early bird tickets to How Could He Do That? Live Interview with Lundy Bancroft . Watch the webinar live and have some of your q...
Dec 08, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Send us a text Trauma bonds are painful connection with another person that is based on fear. There’s an addictive quality making them very hard to break. In this episode, we will briefly define a trauma bond and then identify the initial steps to breaking one. Get early bird tickets to How Could He Do That? Live Interview with Lundy Bancroft . Watch the webinar live and have some of your questions answered. Ticketholders will also get a recording of the webinar. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram ...
Dec 05, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Send us a text It’s become popular to spend time thinking about psychopathic and narcissistic abuses—for us to obsess over what’s happened to us. In this episode, we’ll explore whether this way of thinking is good for us and how to tell if we’re falling into unhealthiness as we try to make sense of the past. Sandra L. Brown Webinar Video Replay. How Could I've Fallen for a Dangerous Man? Watch it here. You don't have to stay locked in the emotional prison from narcissistic abuse. Join this serie...
Dec 01, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Send us a text Have you heard of the acronym DARVO? It’s a nasty type of gaslighting that flips the script and attacks us when we bring up an issue. In this episode, we will address the underlying dynamic of this abusive practice along with the three steps to combatting it effectively. Sign up for the online course! First Steps to Leaving a Narcissist . Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relat...
Nov 28, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Send us a text It’s tough when you first leave a narcissistically abusive relationship. Your partner has made most of the decision, and over time, you’ve given up more and more of yourself, betraying yourself and your sense of safety. How is trust rebuilt? In this episode, we will examine why reclaiming our self-integrity and relying on our intuition is challenging, along with a few practical steps to begin your healing. The interview with Sandra L. Brown, mentioned several times, went fantastic...
Nov 21, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Send us a text The most common, useless advice given to victims is just to leave. Why do we say this when we know it’s hurtful and probably, not useful? In this episode, we will examine the underlying biases and assumptions about abuse and abuse victims. Why there’s a cultural blindness to victims’ plight and how it leads us to neglect this most vulnerable group. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Sign up for the online course! First Steps to Leaving a Narci...
Nov 17, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Send us a text I recently started reading a book that’s been around a while—Neil Strauss’ book called The Game, though he’s since come out against the practices described in it. It’s all about his experiences of learning how to manipulate women sexually through post-hypnotic suggestions and other psychologically manipulative strategies. Despite knowing there are online resources and groups encouraging predatory behavior, we tend to hold victims responsible for the abuse. In this episode, we will...
Nov 14, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Send us a text Have you heard of the term “trauma bond?” It’s a condition similar to being brainwashed by Stockholm’s Syndrome. Victims recovering from narcissistic abuse liken the breaking of a trauma bond to overcoming a heroin addiction. In this podcast episode, we will cover the seven stages of a trauma bond and how to begin recovery. If you think you’re struggling with a trauma bond, here are two incredible resources: First Steps to Leaving a Narcissist and The Trauma Bond Recovery Course ....
Nov 10, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Send us a text Every victim wants to know how they got into a toxic or dangerous relationship. Was there an early sign of danger that they missed? Were they too trusting, gullible, or naive? Most victims have been accused of being codependent. What does research have to say? In this episode, we will dig deeper into this topic, particularly Sandra L. Brown’s groundbreaking research into the dynamics of pathological love relationships. What personality qualities made us predator’s target, and how ...
Nov 07, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Send us a text On social media, it’s gotten popular to discuss masculine and feminine energy. Boundaries have come under attack as something masculine. In this episode, we will define what a personal boundary is and what makes healthy and unhealthy. We’ll also touch on why cheating happens in narcissistic and non-narcissistic relationships. Ben Taylor of Raw Motivations: Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you loo...
Nov 03, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Send us a text Why are we surprised that there is a mind-body connection? That what we experience, like abuse, will affect us physiologically? We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including how we see the world blinds us from recognizing dangerous people, the possibility of having narcissism and other mental health conditions, and defining dog-whistling when it comes to abuse. How Could I've Fallen for a Dangerous Man Webinar with Sandra L. Brown Nov 10 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Central Time. G...
Oct 31, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Send us a text Have you heard of the Dark Triad Personality disorder? Some have suggested this is a new personality type. In this episode, we are going to take a look at the makeup of this individual and why they pose such a risk to us. We’ll also discuss ambiguous grief and the importance of allowing ourselves to process all kinds of losses, even toxic relationships, safely. How Could I've Fallen for a Dangerous Man Webinar with Sandra L. Brown Nov 10 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Get you...
Oct 27, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Send us a text It’s become popular to call it “trauma dumping” when someone talks about their abuse. But is that an accurate description? Might we be harming others when we pathologize their need to share? In today’s episode, we’ll look closely at why victims tend to overshare traumatic experiences and how we can help support them in the healing process. How Could I've Fallen for a Dangerous Man Webinar with Sandra L. Brown Nov 10 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Get your ticket now! All tick...
Oct 24, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Send us a text I can’t even begin to describe the horrific pain I felt after leaving a narcissistically abusive relationship. The intense confusion, rage, sense of betrayal, and fear. Some have likened this stage to heroin withdrawal. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to begin healing after leaving a toxic relationship. We’ll also touch if spirituality can save narcissists from this disorder and if the partner gets a better version of our narcissistic ex. How He Gets Into Her Head: The Mind ...
Oct 20, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Send us a text There are many assumptions and myths about sexuality, especially regarding the differences between men and women. How does the objectification of women impact their sexuality, particularly their interest in sex? And what improves a couple’s connection when it comes to sex? In this episode, we will be looking at some of the common dynamics that affect physical intimacy. Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. The Passionate Marriage by David Schnarch, Ph.D. Isn’t Having Sex My Righ...
Oct 17, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Send us a text Why do victims find it so hard to leave a difficult or toxic relationship? Conventional wisdom says it should be as simple as just leaving, but it’s not. In this episode, we’ll explore the challenges victim face when trying to leave a narcissist or an even more dangerous type of person. First Steps to Leaving a Narcissist . Sign up for the online course! Insight is 20/20 by Chelli Pumphrey Sandra L. Brown Webinar: "How Could I've Fallen for a Dangerous Man?" Nov 10 6:30 p.m. EST -...
Oct 13, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Send us a text What constitutes abuse? Have you ever stopped to consider the definition? Is it something that hurts a person’s feelings? In this episode, take a closer look at abuse and its subtleties. We’ll also discuss why narcissists often struggle to hold a job and the difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits. "Isn’t Having Sex My Right: Why Sexual Coercion is Abuse" Come listen to a panel of experts, including two psychologists, a pastor, and a reformed h...
Oct 10, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Send us a text Victims spend a lot of time trying to make sense of what happened. This is understandable since doing an analysis is part of improving our sense of safety. It goes awry when it is based on the wrong information. Men and women view the world differently but so do narcissists and the rest of the population. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at these different frameworks and their impact on understanding ourselves and the world. Learn more about Deborah Tannen’s work . Sandra...
Oct 06, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Send us a text What is the difference between a narcissist and a psychopath? Do those characteristics matter if both groups are abusive? In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the core motivations and relationship styles of both groups as well as get into why a trauma bond is so challenging to break. What is narcissistic abuse? Dr. Milstead’s proposed definition in PsychCentral Looking to understand why you can’t leave? Dr. Milstead explains what traps us in this video. Get your tickets to...
Oct 03, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Send us a text It’s not uncommon for narcissists to struggle with addictions, but it isn’t unusual for addicts to behave narcissistically. Does that mean those with addictions also have a personality disorder? In this episode, we explore the effects of addiction on personality, the roots of narcissism, and if we should hold out hope for our narcissistic partner to make changes. Is your partner dangerous, toxic, or capable of change? Take this free survey and find out! Meet the Narcavengers and b...
Sep 29, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Send us a text After an abusive relationship is over, most victims want to know how they couldn’t have fallen for the narcissist’s love-bombing. They often are blamed for missing the red flags, as if they were naive or, worse yet, stupid. In this episode, we’ll analyze the five elements of love-bombing and what makes each of these strategies so effective. "Isn’t Having Sex My Right: Why Sexual Coercion is Abuse" Come listen to a panel of experts, including two psychologists, a pastor, and a refo...
Sep 26, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Send us a text Sexual intimacy is a common problem in narcissistically abusive relationships. It's often a sign that the narcissist is becoming disillusioned. In this episode, we address why some couples experience a loss of sexual interest in the bedroom. We'll also explore the defense mechanisms narcissists prefer to use, why hoovering is so prevalent, and what causes so many victims to fear romantic relationships after abuse. Meet the Narcavengers and book an interaction with me at the Austin...
Sep 22, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Send us a text During the last months of narcissistic abuse, I knew I was in trouble, yet I couldn’t leave. The paralysis was palpable. A physical pain. In this episode, we’ll explore the psychological reinforcement style used and why this is so paralyzing. Meet the Narcavengers and book a interaction with me at the Austin Meet-up , TX Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's To...
Sep 19, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Send us a text Research confirms that narcissism is primarily a biosocial problem, meaning narcissists are born with personality deficits. Is it fair to hold them accountable for the damage they cause? We’ll explore this topic in depth in this podcast episode. If you missed the live webinar with Dr. Milstead, copies of the replay are now available . Meet the Narcavengers and book a interaction with me at the Austin Meet-up , TX Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavo...
Sep 15, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Send us a text Narcissistic exes often return, claiming they’ve changed. They ask to be in a relationship or to rejoin the family. In narcissistic abuse circles, this is called “hoovering.” In this podcast episode, we’ll explore if agreeing to this request is wise, define “breadcrumbing,” and take a closer look at the connection between gaslighting and cognitive dissonance. Get your ticket now! Isn't Having Sex My Right? Webinar with Lisa Sonni. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Face...
Sep 12, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Send us a text The bad boy stereotype is well-known and, unfortunately, too often true. So why do some of us repeatedly get into a relationship with someone dangerous? In this podcast, we’ll take a closer look at how we confuse intensity for attraction, the ten different personality disorders, and the common problem of the non-apology apology. The Narc and Me’s account on Instagram , and Tiktok Meet the Narcavengers and book a interaction with me at the Austin Meet-up , TX -- Follow me on Tiktok...
Sep 08, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 40
