Ever walk away from an argument thinking maybe I'm the crazy one?

If you've ever tried to bring up a concern and suddenly you’re the problem—you might be experiencing DARVO.

DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It’s a psychological abuse tactic used to flip the script—and it’s more common than you think.

In this episode, Dr. Cynthia breaks it all down:

🎧 A must-listen for any mom navigating emotional manipulation, co-parenting with a toxic ex, or feeling constantly blamed in her own home.

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Too many women stay stuck in toxic relationships because they’re trying to “figure it out.”

Is it narcissism? Addiction? Passive-aggression? Something diagnosable?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver challenges the belief that we need a perfect label before we’re allowed to leave. What if the pain is enough? What if the confusion, exhaustion, and emotional fallout are the evidence?

You’ll learn:

Why obsessing over a label keeps you stuck in analysis paralysis

How to validate your reality without outside proof

What to pay attention to in your body, mind, and home environment

How toxic behavior—no matter what you call it—impacts your kids

Questions to ask yourself when you're stuck between fear, guilt, and clarity

🎧 A must-listen for any mom wondering, “What if I’m wrong?” or “Do I have the right to leave?”

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Cognitive dissonance is one of the most powerful forces keeping women stuck in toxic relationships. It’s the reason you doubt yourself, excuse red flags, and feel like you're going crazy—while holding onto hope.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver explains how cognitive dissonance plays out in toxic marriages, narcissistic relationships, and parallel parenting—and why it leads directly to burnout.

You’ll learn:

How cognitive dissonance causes confusion, guilt, and emotional shutdown

The sneaky link between toxic relationships and physical burnout

Why high-functioning women blame themselves—and how to stop

How to begin seeing the truth clearly (even when it hurts)

Practical steps for healing your mind, body, and boundaries

🎧 This one is raw, real, and validating for any midlife mom wondering, “Is it really that bad, or is it me?”

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This week on The Mama Shrink Podcast, we’re talking about one of the hardest, most painful truths: You can’t make someone change if they don’t want to.

You can love them. Beg them. Do everything “right.” But if they’re not willing to change, nothing will change.

🎧 Season 3, Episode 3 – Hope, Grief, and Letting Go: What to Do When They Won’t Change is out now.

In this episode, I walk you through:

✔️ Why your empathy and effort won’t save someone who won’t change

This one is real. Raw. And necessary.

#YouCantChangeThem #LettingGo #EmotionalBurnout #MamaShrinkPodcast #DrCynthiaEdwardsHawver #WomensMentalHealth #HighFunctioningBurnout #HealingAfterNarcissisticAbuse

Have you ever gotten an apology that left you feeling… worse?

In this powerful episode of The Mama Shrink Podcast, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver breaks down the subtle art of the toxic apology. If you’ve ever felt confused, blamed, or dismissed after someone said “sorry,” this one’s for you.

You’ll learn how to spot the difference between a real apology and manipulative gaslighting. Whether you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, recovering from emotional abuse, or simply trying to model healthy behavior for your kids, this episode will help you reclaim your clarity and power.

Dr. Cynthia explains:

The 3 elements of a genuine, healing apology

Why “I’m sorry you feel that way” is not an apology

How toxic apologies impact your mental health and contribute to burnout

How to set boundaries and stop blaming yourself

This episode is essential listening for high-functioning moms navigating emotional manipulation, parallel parenting, and the exhausting cycle of narcissistic burnout.

📝 Get free tools + join the newsletter: https://www.drcynthiahawver.com/empower

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In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver returns to The Mama Shrink Podcast after surviving a year that nearly broke her. From the end of a 31-year marriage to the financial and emotional shock of becoming a single mom at 52, she shares what true healing looks like behind closed doors.

If you’re navigating burnout, divorce, narcissistic abuse, or just trying to hold it all together while raising kids—you are not alone.

Dr. Cynthia opens up about:

Grieving the loss of the family you imagined

How high-functioning women often break silently

The difference between self-care and soul survival

Parenting through heartbreak without losing your mind

What healing really looks like when life falls apart

Why slowing down isn’t failure—it’s survival

How to keep going when everything in you wants to give up

Whether you’re in the middle of a toxic relationship, post-separation grief, emotional trauma, or burnout at midlife, this episode is your gentle reminder: you can be broken and brave at the same time.

📝 Get free tools + join the newsletter: https://www.drcynthiahawver.com/empower

👉 Like this video? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs to hear this message. Every share helps another woman find support.

Hello Mamas! In today’s podcast I want to share my personal story and journey of how Mama Shrink became a mama. This is my holiday miracle and the one I am always most grateful so it felt good to share it. I get asked a lot about adoption, especially when people see us with our 2 boys who are both bi-racial.

I am sensitive in sharing this story from my perspective as my kids will someday have their own adoption story. There are parts of my journey removed to protect their birthmother’s and things that I am not comfortable sharing publicly.

Adoption is a whole other level of becoming a mom. It’s very different from how other women become moms in terms of trying to get pregnant and being able to conceive. I often refer to it as an emotional rollercoaster because there are so many highs and lows and unknowns that being able to conceive does not bring.

My boys were meant to be mine.... I know that for sure. In this story you will see the signs and miracles that took place that brought them to my husband and I. We may not be connected biologically but we are connected a soul level which I will take any day over genetics. I hope this story helps all moms unable to conceive to have hope that you can become a mom through the amazing gift of adoption.

• I never thought we might have a problem getting pregnant. And we did. For those of you out there who have struggled with infertility I’m sure you understand that every month that you don’t get pregnant feels so sad and so discouraging.

Resources:

Dr. Cynthia Hawver's website: drcynthiah.com and you can find me on the socials @dr.cynthiahawver

Ever wondered how to navigate parenting a strong-willed child? Curious about effective strategies that can transform challenging behaviors? 

In this insightful episode, the host delves into the challenges and triumphs of parenting a strong-willed child. Drawing from personal experiences, the discussion unfolds a narrative that encapsulates the intricacies of managing a child with a strong personality. From setting boundaries to the significance of consistency, the conversation covers various aspects of parenting, illustrating real-life scenarios that many parents can relate to. Strategies such as using time-outs effectively, providing choices, and employing positive motivation are discussed, offering a comprehensive guide for parents facing similar situations.

The episode commences by emphasizing the importance of setting clear boundaries for strong-willed children, elucidating that a firm "no" should mean "no." Consistency emerges as a key theme, with the host highlighting the need for unwavering adherence to rules and consequences. Practical tips, such as offering only two choices and using timers for time limits, are introduced to foster a sense of control for the child while maintaining discipline. The incorporation of effective consequences and the power of forgiveness in disciplining form essential components of the discussed parenting strategies. The narrative further explores the use of timeouts, stressing the significance of creating a distraction-free environment for its efficacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Consistency is key in parenting strong-willed children; rules and consequences must be unwavering.

Resources:

Dr. Cynthia Hawver's website: drcynthiah.com and you can find me on the socials @dr.cynthiahawver

Hello Mommas! The holidays are coming in so fast and before we all get busy with life, parties, kids and everything else, I just wanted to talk to you about dealing with the holidays when you’re feeling depressed, down, overwhelmed and anxious. 

If you are feeling these things, I want to assure you that you are not alone. 90% of people are feeling the exact same way.  Holiday depression and stress is a real thing and it happens even to the best of us.

Through this episode, I want to be able to help you find a way to deal and manage with these feelings and suggest some things you can do to make the holidays a bit better for you and your family. I want you to be happy during this season momma’s and I’ll be discussing some things that I know might help you out.

• The holidays are stressful and hard but we are doing Christmas for the kids and, hopefully, for ourselves. So, if we are going to do it, let’s make it a little easier. Take some deep breaths and say “I’m doing this.” Let’s make it fun.

Resources:

Dr. Cynthia Hawver's website: drcynthiah.com and you can find me on the socials @dr.cynthiahawver

Mamas, it is so important to have a good therapist for yourself and for your children if either of you need one. You shouldn’t settle for a therapist just because it’s convenient, they accept your insurance, or because you’ve worked with someone forever and don’t want to start over. 

In this episode, I’m going to be talking to you about what you need to look for and what you should want regarding good and bad therapy.

I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on how to know for sure that the therapist you’re seeing is the right fit for you and your family.

• A lot of times, people continue going to the same therapist because they get comfortable but they’re not really finding that they’re having any change. On the other hand, therapists also have to check how much a client is working in the session or in between sessions. 

Resources:

Places to find therapists online:

• Psychology Today

Dr. Cynthia Hawver's website: drcynthiah.com and you can find me on the socials @dr.cynthiahawver