In this episode, I'm joined by psychotherapist Melissa Guttman, LCAT, to separate the buzzwords from the clinical reality. We explore what narcissism actually is, how narcissistic abuse impacts your nervous system, why survivors often question their own reality, and how growing up in a narcissistic family system can shape the relationships you choose as an adult.

Whether you're questioning a current relationship, reflecting on your childhood, or simply wanting to better understand these dynamics, this conversation offers education, validation, and hope.

Content Note: This episode discusses narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, family dysfunction, and trauma. While our intention is to educate and support, these topics may feel activating for some listeners. Please take breaks if needed and seek additional support if this conversation brings up difficult emotions.

Melissa Guttman, LCAT, is a psychotherapist in virtual private practice in New York. She helps highly sensitive adult children of narcissists ungaslight themselves and trust their intuition. Utilizing a combination of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, astrological counseling, and intuitive development, she helps clients resolve trauma that blocks their full self-expression.

Learn more or book a consultation:

www.ifswitch.com

Instagram: @fallengoldenchild

• It's Not You by Dr. Ramani Durvasula
• Fawning by Ingrid Clayton
• Secure Love by Dr. Amir Levine
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Recovery from emotional abuse doesn't have to happen alone. If you're looking for additional support, these organizations may be helpful:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline (supports individuals experiencing emotional, psychological, physical, financial, or digital abuse)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (for anyone experiencing emotional distress or in crisis)
• Psychology Today Therapist Directory
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Open Path Collective

[email protected]

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

This podcast is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health treatment, or medical care. Please seek support from a licensed mental health professional or your medical provider when appropriate.

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are my own and do not represent my employer.

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In this final episode of the friendship series, we’re talking about what it really looks like to grow with your people instead of growing apart. From unspoken expectations and communication gaps to jealousy, life transitions, and redefining access. This conversation gets honest about what it takes to maintain connection in different seasons.

If your friendships feel different lately, this is your reminder: change isn’t always loss… sometimes it’s an invitation to love each other better. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Cherrelle is passionate about helping young adults discover their purpose, identify their strengths, and navigate life transitions. With a background as a school counselor, college counselor, and mental health therapist, she currently serves as a Resident in Counseling at a private practice and is the owner of a coaching and consulting firm. She supports clients navigating self-esteem, identity, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. She has presented at community groups, professional development sessions, college forums, and state conferences on topics including trauma, cultural equity, social media, and financial access. Cherrelle is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., ASCA, VSCA, ACA, and VCA. In her free time, she enjoys self-care, Cricut crafting, and caring for her houseplants.

Contact Cherrelle: 

www.forwardtransformations.com

[email protected]

Instagram: @forwardwithCD 

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES:

[email protected] or

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Friendship Series Pt. 2 :) When a romantic relationship ends, there are songs, movies, and endless conversations about heartbreak. But when a friendship ends, the loss can feel confusing, isolating, and difficult to process. In this episode, we sit down with licensed mental health counselor Jennifer Vincent to talk about the emotional complexity of losing a close friend. If you’ve ever experienced the loss of a friendship, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone and that your grief is valid.

Connect with Jennifer:

Instagram: therapyforcyclebreakers

www.therapyforcyclebreakers.com 

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Work with me: https://www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com/work-with-me

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES:

[email protected] or

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Friendship Series is finally here 🫶🏽 In this episode, we’re talking about something nobody prepares us for: conflict in friendships and the work it takes to sustain community. This episode is for anyone who wants healthier friendships but doesn’t always know how to navigate tension, awkwardness, or hurt feelings.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Known as the Conflict Specialist, Audrey Augustave is a psychotherapist who assists high conflict couples and distant co-parents develop harmonious relationships as well as individuals face the internal struggles associated with major life transitions such as divorce, grief, and long term sobriety.

She serves NJ & NY residents as the practice owner of A Nurtured Life Psychotherapy and trains fellow therapists on maximizing their clinical skills in couples therapy.

A strong believer in giving back to her community, Audrey runs a podcast addressing mental health and identity related topics through the Caribbean lens and is available for speaking engagements. She is a proud mother, karaoke lover, and 1000 piece puzzle collector.

Website: www.anlpsychotherapy.com

Un-Loc’d Podcast: Listen to Latest Episode!

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES:

[email protected] or

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AHHH! My 25th episode, omg???! This is for anyone who didn’t magically reset on January 1. We’re unpacking seasonal depression. Spoiler: rest is still productive.

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected] or

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

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SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode dives into the "eldest sibling" archetype & the unspoken pressure of being the one who holds it all together. We’ll unpack where that role comes from, how it shows up in adulthood, and what it looks like to finally choose balance without guilt.

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected] or

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

Connect to us through TikTok

SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ugh, can I just talk about love again & again?!?!

Sometimes we put a lot on love. We expect it to make us feel whole, fix our fears, or prove that we’re finally enough. But what happens when love can’t carry all of that?

link to Kim Holloway’s Substack article: https://open.substack.com/pub/coachkimholloway/p/love-as-a-mirror?r=1k3wq1&utm_medium=ios

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected]

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

COACHING CLASSES OPEN JAN 2026

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SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See previous episode: Episode 7: Give Yourself Permission to Grieve (for deeper context on death and loss). If grief were a class, most of us would’ve skipped the lecture...not because we wanted to but because no one really teaches us how to deal with it. This week, we’re in Grief 101: why it’s more than just death, and how ambiguous grief-the kind with no closure shapes us too. We’ll share real-life examples and talk through practical ways to navigate both kinds of grief. Think of it as a crash course in giving yourself permission to feel, to honor what’s been lost (even if no one else names it), and to move at your own pace.

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected]

www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

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SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

Send us a text

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to stop telling yourself "I don't have a choice." In this episode, we explore how recognizing your options, even the small ones, can shift your perspective, restore your sense of agency, and create real freedom in your everyday life.

Connect to us through TikTok

SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

Send us a text

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected] www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s only right that Episode 20 is all about your 20s! This decade is a mix of highs, lessons, and figuring out who you truly are. This is such an intimate episode and i'm so grateful to have Breanna and Kaitlyn share parts of their story with us. We dive into navigating love, staying grounded in a social media-driven world, the power of being present, and why it’s okay to walk away...even when something once felt blissful.

Bonus question: What would your 20-something soundtrack consist of?

Connect to us through TikTok

SUPPORT ME HERE: https://buymeacoffee.com/thisdoesntcountastherapy

Send us a text

This is not a substitute for therapy and should not be used as a replacement for the therapeutic relationship, individualized mental health or medical care. Please seek professional guidance. We hold no liability for any medical advice given in this space. Please speak to your medical provider.

All opinions are mine and mine alone and do not represent my employer.

GUEST AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: [email protected] - www.thisdoesntcountastherapy.com

Therapy resources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

https://openpathcollective.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.