Send us a Text Message. 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 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! Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast! More at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com Follow me on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube and Facebook! @kerrymcavoyphd
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Support the Show.

How do I combat my partner turning every issue into a "me" problem?

Are you in a relationship that confuses you? One that leaves you feeling attacked or walking on eggshells? Maybe you've left but aren't sure what to do next; you're in the right place.

 Join&nbsp; Dr. Kerry McAvoy, a mental health clinician and author of Love You More, as she tackles toxic relationship dynamics.

 Listen as Dr. McAvoy describes destructive personalities, typical partner profiles, progressive stages of abuse, and common manipulation tactics. Find out why these relationships are complex to avoid, what makes them tough to leave, and how to recover and rediscover healthy self-compassion and self-respect again.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Relationships

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Send us a Text Message. Have you asked yourself, "Why can't I leave?" You know you should. You've even started hiding the ugly truth of what's really going on behind closed doors. 

In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss late-stage cognitive dissonance. Learn the underlying cause of the agonizing confusion that paralyzes the victim from acting in their own best interest. Find out what it took for us to break free from its terrible grip.

To learn more about cognitive dissonance, become a Podcast Extra Subscriber. This week, Lisa and I deconstruct the causes of intense paralysis and share practical steps for seeing through the narcissist's deceptive mask. 

Sign up here: substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphd. Two great places featuring the same helpful content.

Want to know my story? Read Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross-- available here: https://amzn.to/3NVMBXO

Follow Dr. McAvoy!YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphdInstagram: @kerrymcavoyphdFacebook: @kerrymcavoyphdE-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.comNewsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com/ or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphdWebsite: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.comKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. As an Amazon affiliate, a commission is earned from qualifying purchases. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Discover insights on gaslighting in relationships with Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect podcast. Tune in for expert interviews and advice. Support the Show.

Why Can't I Leave? The Crazy Confusion from Late-Stage Cognitive Dissonance

Send us a Text Message. Have you left a relationship feeling duped? Not just betrayed, but conned? You’ve likely met a covert narcissist.

In this episode, Elena Sagredos, author of But They’re So Nice, joins me to talk about the deceptiveness of covert abuse. We often miss the signs we’ve met a covert narcissism behind their guise of niceness, only later to discover their extreme duplicity. 

To learn more about Eleni, you can follow her here:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nonarcsense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/no_narcsense

To purchase her book:
But They’re So Nice

Eleni Sagredos is an abuse educator and a certified Domestic Violence Advocate with a passion for raising awareness about covert abuse and domestic violence. She is the author of the book "But They're So Nice: Unmasking Covert Abuse & Narcissistic People," which sheds light on the insidious nature of emotional and psychological abuse often overlooked or minimized. Eleni is most active on TikTok, where she shares her insights, experiences, and resources to help others recognize the dynamics and tactics in abusive relationships.

Follow Dr. McAvoy!YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphdInstagram: @kerrymcavoyphdFacebook: @kerrymcavoyphdE-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.comNewsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphdWebsite: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.comKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. As an Amazon affiliate, a commission is earned from qualifying purchases. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Discover insights on gaslighting in relationships with Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect podcast. Tune in for expert interviews and advice. Support the Show.

Feeling duped and conned? Why We Miss the Signs of a Covert Narcissist: An Interview with Eleni Sagredos

Send us a Text Message. Relationships with narcissists can be confounding, confusing, and incredibly frustrating. 

Join Dr. Kerry for this holiday episode when she revisits the highlights of her three favorite interviews. Hear Dr. Les Carter’s explanation of why narcissists are so tricky, Lisa Sonni’s three steps to breaking a trauma bond, and Dr. Robin Stern’s disturbing description of gaslighting’s power. 

To listen to these full episodes: 

Dr. Les Carter: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/podcast/s2-ep25-why-do-narcissists-have-to-make-life-miserable-dr-les-carter-explains-narcissism/

Lisa Sonni: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/podcast/s2-ep27-why-am-i-so-confused-the-making-breaking-of-a-trauma-bond-with-lisa-sonni/

Dr. Robin Stern: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/podcast/54-whats-wrong-with-me-the-power-of-gaslighting-to-confuse-and-control-interview-with-dr-robin-stern

Follow Dr. McAvoy!YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphdInstagram: @kerrymcavoyphdFacebook: @kerrymcavoyphdE-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.comNewsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphdWebsite: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.comKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. As an Amazon affiliate, a commission is earned from qualifying purchases. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Discover insights on gaslighting in relationships with Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect podcast. Tune in for expert interviews and advice. Support the Show.

Is my partner a narcissist? Highlights from Dr. Kerry's 3 Favorite Interviews

Send us a Text Message. Are you battling toxic in-law drama? Is your mother-in-law or father-in-law intruding into your relationship or family?

This week, Rossana Faye joins us to discuss common toxic in-law drama, particularly when it involves a narcissistic mother- or father-in-law. This week's self-help tip is the importance of strengthening your couple's boundaries over time. 

Question for you: Is your toxic mother-in-law ruining your marriage or partnership? 

In this week's Podcast Extra, Ro and I dive into this particularly toxic match-up. Learn how to defeat toxic in-laws by becoming a subscriber. 

Get exclusive content for only $5/month. 

Each week, enjoy member-only video content, psychological insights, and helpful tips on the topics that matter. Join either on Substack: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com or Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphd. Same great content in 2 different places!

Follow Dr. McAvoy!YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphdInstagram: @kerrymcavoyphdFacebook: @kerrymcavoyphdE-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.comNewsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphdWebsite: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.comKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. As an Amazon affiliate, a commission is earned from qualifying purchases. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Discover insights on gaslighting in relationships with Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect podcast. Tune in for expert interviews and advice. Support the Show.

"We're just trying to help!" How to Manage Toxic In-Law Drama

Send us a Text Message. Do you find yourself exasperated or angry at your partner, but you aren’t sure why? Do they put you into no-win binds?

Covert narcissists love to play subtle, often hidden mind games. They are masterful at twisting the truth, hiding exploitative agendas, and playing the victim, enraging their partners and families while keeping them in the dark. 

In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins to discuss the common mind games covert narcissists use. This week's self-help tip is how to use your emotional reaction and personal history to identify toxicity. 

Join Lisa and me and learn the top strategy to defeating a covert narcissist on this week's Podcast Extra--exclusive content for only $5/month. When you become a subscriber, you'll get weekly member-only video content, psychological insights, and helpful tips on the topics that matter. 

Join either on Substack: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse or Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphd. Same great content in 2 different places! Follow Dr. McAvoy!YouTube: @kerrymcavoyphdInstagram: @kerrymcavoyphdFacebook: @kerrymcavoyphdE-mail: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.comNewsletter: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com/ or https://ko-fi.com/kerrymcavoyphdWebsite: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.comKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a mental health specialist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding various other mental health-related issues. Her memoir, Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross, gives an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. As an Amazon affiliate, a commission is earned from qualifying purchases. Start your healing after narcissistic abuse by joining Lisa Sonni and me for the Healing Strong Group Coaching, beginning August 22.  Discover insights on gaslighting in relationships with Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect podcast. Tune in for expert interviews and advice. Support the Show.

How do I combat my partner turning every issue into a "me" problem?

Download our free app to listen on your phone