No Visible Bruises

Order my NEW book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

It’s official – my new book has launched, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share it with you all! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be writing about my journey through a relationship with a covert narcissist. Eleven years ago, I hit rock bottom, both mentally and financially. Each day was a struggle to stave off panic attacks as I battled complex PTSD, feeling trapped in an endless nightmare.

In my book, I open up about the darkest period of my life and share how I managed to overcome these seemingly insurmountable obstacles. My hope is that my story will inspire and offer support to those facing similar struggles - because even in our darkest moments, there is always a path to recovery and renewal.

In this episode, we will explore:

• The Journey of Healing
• Recognising Covert Narcissism
• Surviving and Thriving After Abuse
• Raising Children Amidst Chaos

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my NEW book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

Celebrities, just like regular people, sometimes face abusive relationships with narcissists. In this episode, I'll explore how these high-profile individuals cope with such challenges and heal from their emotional wounds. Drawing from my experience working with celebrities, I'll share valuable insights into their coping mechanisms and the lessons we can all learn from their experiences.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Why abusive relationships don’t end when the abuse first starts
• The impact fame and money has on individuals suffering abuse
• How celebrities tend to mask their pain instead of heal

I'll explore the reasons behind celebrities' struggles with alcohol or drug abuse, as well as the common tendency among all of us, including celebrities, to seek ways to mask our pain instead of addressing it directly. It's crucial to remember that we can't fully understand someone else's experiences, so we should avoid passing judgment on their relationships. However, we can draw valuable lessons from high-profile abusive relationships to aid in our own healing journeys. Let's focus on using these insights to facilitate personal growth and healing.

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my NEW book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

I knew that stress & trauma could cause physical issues, but I never knew it could affect your gums!

Following my abusive relationship and stressful divorce I began noticing the physical toll it took on me, but it’s only recently I noticed the impact on my gums. I have been ignoring frequent gum bleeding, but lately it has turned into chronic inflammation and pain, prompting me to seek help.

My dentist diagnosed me with gum disease and explained how stress weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight infections, including those in the mouth. It’s so easy to miss these signs when you’re in a fight, flight, or freeze response, making it extra important we remind each other to look after our physical health as well as our mental health. If you're experiencing emotional distress, pay attention to your body's signals and take steps to care for your entire self.

In this episode, we will explore:

• How stress and trauma can negatively impact oral health, leading to gum disease
• The importance of recognising the link between mental health and physical well-being
• Effective strategies for prioritising mental health to improve overall health
• The significance of monitoring gum health and seeking professional advice early on to prevent serious consequences

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my NEW book here:

http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

At forty, I believed my life was over. I had just ended a relationship with a covert narcissist and felt he had taken the best years of my life, leaving me with nothing but a downhill journey. 

However, I came to realise that I was blaming others for my feelings and was stuck in a functional freeze response. On the surface, I seemed to function normally, going through the motions of daily life and maintaining appearances. Yet, deep inside, I was grappling with trauma that I hadn't fully acknowledged or addressed. 

This internal struggle left me feeling isolated and disconnected from my true self, as I had built a façade to hide my pain. It became clear that to truly heal, I needed to confront these buried emotions and take responsibility for my own healing journey.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Why we shouldn’t blame other people for how we feel

• How to break out of a functional freeze response

• Beginning to heal after a narcissistic relationship

My new book, ‘How To Heal After Narcissistic Abuse’ really is your essential guide to leading a better life and not blaming yourself for what happened in your narcissistic and abusive relationships. Where you are right now isn’t where you have to stay.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my NEW book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

Join my FREE Trauma Bonding Masterclass, 8pm BST Sunday 30th June: https://carolinestrawson.com/trauma-bond

Even if you can’t attend live, sign up to be sent a copy of the recording after it concludes.

We’ve all experienced trauma. It isn’t an event or person, it’s what happens inside of us and that can reinforce how we feel. It’s a weight you carry everywhere you go.

You can’t talk yourself through healing, you have to feel to heal. I want you to thrive and flourish and step into post-traumatic growth, leading a better life than the one you’re trying to leave behind.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Not blaming yourself for always being in narcissistic relationships
• What it means to “feel to heal”
• Tapping into your past and beginning to move forward

My new book, ‘How To Heal After Narcissistic Abuse’ really is your essential guide to leading a better life and not blaming yourself for what happened in your narcissistic and abusive relationships. Where you are right now isn’t where you have to stay.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Join my FREE Trauma Bonding Masterclass, 8pm BST Sunday 30th June: https://carolinestrawson.com/trauma-bond

Even if you can’t attend live, sign up to be sent a copy of the recording after it concludes.

Do you find yourself constantly attracting toxic and narcissistic individuals, unable to break free from the cycle? You’re not alone. This isn't just a coincidence—it’s an addiction. But rest assured, there is hope and a brighter future awaits you.

Reflecting on my own experience, I remember the dark days spent in a toxic and narcissistic relationship with my ex-husband. Each day, I felt more worthless, often finding my only solace in the comfort of baggy tracksuits. I was paralysed, unable to muster the energy or desire to do anything at all.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Why We’re Drawn to Narcissists
• Breaking Free from Abusive Relationships
• The Brain and Body's Role in Trauma Bonding

This cycle of despair is rooted in a phenomenon known as trauma bonding. Trauma bonding is more than just an emotional connection; it’s a physiological addiction that takes hold within our bodies, always hoping for a lasting change that never comes. Understanding this can be the first step towards breaking free and reclaiming your life.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Join the waitlist for my Safe and Sound Protocol program: https://carolinestrawson.com/ssp-waitlist

Do you ever find yourself unable to enjoy the music you once loved or find that your ears are particularly sensitive to loud noises? 

You're not alone. This can be a common experience for those who have endured significant stress or trauma. In my case, I experienced this first-hand during my marriage to my ex-husband, who was a covert narcissist.

Over time, I developed a heightened sensitivity to sound. If someone dropped something near me, I wouldn't just startle like most people; I would jump out of my skin. This extreme response is a common consequence of narcissistic abuse and trauma.

In this episode, we will explore:

• What is a heightened startle response?
• How to manage and overcome it
• The biology behind heightened startle responses
• Why we tune out background noise and focus on human voices

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my new book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

Narcissism is a topic I’m really passionate about because I believe it’s widely misunderstood. The term "narcissistic" is often overused in our society, with many people being labelled as narcissists without truly exhibiting those traits.

Misusing the word "narcissistic" diminishes the experiences of those who have genuinely suffered from narcissistic abuse, invalidating their trauma and making it harder for them to be heard and understood.

In this episode, we will explore:

• The importance of breaking the taboo around narcissism and discussing it openly
• The need to share and acknowledge our experiences with abusive relationships without shame
• The fact that domestic abuse is not the only form of abuse and why recognising other forms is crucial

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Join my FREE parenting masterclass: https://carolinestrawson.com/parenting-masterclass

Parenting and narcissism are two words that should not be in any sentence. This abuse is not something you should have to deal with whilst trying to raise a family.

In this episode, we'll delve into:

• Understanding the traits and actions of a narcissistic co-parent and how they impact both you and your children.
• Strategies to shield your kids from the emotional and psychological effects of having a narcissistic parent.
• Practical advice on how to co-parent effectively with a narcissist, including setting boundaries and maintaining clear communication.

When I split up from my ex my children were 3 and 6 years old, and it was tough. Had I not split up from my ex husband, I would’ve still been codependent and feeling a lack of self-worth, which would have rubbed off on my children.

Now my kids are the kindest, most compassionate and self-confident young adults. They know that they are good enough for who they are and nobody else’s behaviour is ever a reflection of them. I am so incredibly fortunate to have them, and an important part of them becoming such brilliant young adults was my own healing journey. 

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Pre-order my new book here: http://carolinestrawson.com/pre-order

Are you struggling to find the mojo to get out and exercise again after you’ve experienced trauma? Maybe you’ve broken out of an abusive relationship and want to lose weight, but you just keep struggling?

Trauma, whether physical or emotional, can significantly impact your motivation and ability to engage in healthy behaviours. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way, and the journey to reclaiming your health and vitality can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Understanding how trauma affects your mind and body is the first step towards recovery.

In this episode, we'll delve into:

• The science behind how our brain, mind, and body collaborate
• Understanding the motivation to exercise and why struggling to find it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or weak
• Discovering your own exercise routine without feeling pressured to conform to others

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/