Feeling manipulated by someone? Manipulation can include guilt tripping, pressure, emotional manipulation, controlling behaviour, and sometimes gaslighting, but the common thread is the same: someone is trying to pull you away from your own needs, wants, and choices.

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, I’m talking about how to deal with manipulation: what manipulative behavior is, and how to approach emotional manipulation in a more assertive way, especially when manipulation tactics make it hard to navigate a difficult relationship. If you’re dealing with manipulative people, toxic relationships, or unhealthy relationships, or if you’re trying to understand the signs of manipulation before you get pulled in too far, this episode is for you. I’ll explore why guilt and manipulation can affect your self-esteem and mental health so deeply, why manipulative dynamics often get worse when you start setting boundaries, and how to say no without over-explaining, apologising, or letting someone else’s pressure make your choices for you. You’ll learn how to recognise manipulation earlier, respond with more self-respect, and practice assertiveness in a way that protects your peace without turning you into someone cold or cruel. 

👉 Ready to recognise manipulation and respond more assertively? Then let’s talk!

💡 TL;DR: If guilt trips, gaslighting, or manipulative behaviour keep pushing you into saying yes when you really mean no, this episode will help you spot manipulation earlier and respond with more self-respect.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin is all about practical mental health advice for real life; each week I teach you how to improve your mental wellbeing with simple tips that actually work, drawing on my professional expertise as a counsellor as well as my personal experience living with anxiety and depression. Welcome to the conversation!

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⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 Manipulation and mental health

0:36 Dealing with manipulative people

3:15 What is manipulation?

6:49 Why manipulation harms your mental health

11:21 How to stop being manipulated

23:35 Final tips for dealing with manipulation

📝 Transcript & show notes: https://ltamh.com/?p=20211     

📖 Buy ‘Life Advice That Doesn’t Suck’: https://jeremygodwin.com.au/latds/

➕ Related episodes:

Discomfort (Episode 239): https://ltamh.com/?p=14013

Patterns (Episode 303): https://ltamh.com/?p=18325

Healthier Relationships (Episode 266): https://ltamh.com/?p=15724 

Boundaries/People Pleasing (Episode 322): https://ltamh.com/?p=19518

Difficult People (Episode 325): https://ltamh.com/?p=19737

👋 New here? 

Hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, writer and counsellor plus the host of the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, your weekly dose of practical advice for better mental health. I share straightforward tips to help you protect your peace and cultivate better mental health, with new episodes every Sunday.

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