How do you know when a relationship is unhealthy—and when it's emotionally abusive?

In this episode of Love, Laughs & Lessons, Dr. Frankie Bashan and Denise Rai sit down with licensed mental health counselor and author Kate Mageau to explore the hidden dynamics of emotional abuse, gaslighting, love bombing, and the long road to healing.

Drawing from both her personal experience and years of clinical practice, Kate explains why so many people stay in toxic relationships, how manipulation slowly erodes self-worth, and what it takes to reconnect with yourself after emotional abuse.

We discuss:
• Gaslighting and emotional manipulation
• Love bombing and the cycle of abuse
• Healthy conflict vs. emotional abuse
• Codependency and boundaries
• Rebuilding self-worth after trauma
• Kate's powerful "Personal Bill of Rights"

About Kate Mageau

Kate Mageau is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, trauma specialist, and author of Rose-Colored Glasses and Healing from Toxic Relationships Workbook. She helps survivors heal from emotional abuse and teaches therapists how to recognize and treat toxic relationship dynamics.

Website:
katemageau.com

Websites

Therapy:
https://empoweringtherapy.online

Coaching, Books & Speaking:
https://katemageau.com

Books

Rose-Colored Glasses
Healing from Toxic Relationships Workbook

Follow Kate

Instagram, TikTok & Facebook:
@kate.therapist.author