Narcissism Explained

Does the narcissist always ruin your holidays? How to handle celebration nightmares!

Have you wondered why narcissists ruin holidays? Why they can’t let you enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas, or your birthday? In this podcast episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara share their insights and tips, along with some personal stories about this common pattern among narcissists and other toxic people. And the self-help tip is the importance of having “self-care” boundaries to handle uncomfortable holiday situations. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Complete Rec…

Suddenly on your own? How narcissists use isolation to cut you off from others

Are you suddenly alone? Learn how a narcissist isolates you as a way to gain control over you. How they cut you off from your closest friends and family, making you more vulnerable to abuse. Are you looking for an understanding community? Join Dr. Kerry’s Toxic-Free Relationship Club with weekly live group video office hours. https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/toxic-free-relationship-club/ Books mentioned: BIFF by Bill Eddy: https://amzn.to/3FFqm4D Coparenting with a Toxic Ex by Amy J L Baker: h…

Are you trapped by a covert narcissist? The top reasons why you’re not spotting covert narcissists faster!

Do you want to know why you’re not spotting a covert narcissist? Learn what is a covert narcissist and the early signs you’ve met someone toxic. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara take a deep dive into the top reasons why so many of us struggle to spot a this particularly toxic group of narcissists. And in the self-help tip, learn what to do if someone you know threatens to harm themselves. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Complete Recovery Collection: Narci…

Are all narcissists abusive? Aren’t we unfairly demonizing a group of people?

Are all narcissists abusive? Aren’t we unfairly classifying a group of wounded people as toxic or dangerous? Tara and I address this common accusation about narcissists and other toxic people in this podcast episode. The self-help tip is how to use a detailed history of our personal background to determine if we might be the one causing the relationship problems. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst S…

Has the narcissist got you feeling confused? Here’s how they keep you in the dark!

Have you wondered what’s real? Maybe you’ve noticed how narcissist keeps you in the dark–that they say one thing while doing something else. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara delve into this all-too-common victim’s experience of intense confusion that accompanies most narcissistic relationships. And the self-help tip is the importance of having a nonjudgemental, supportive friend for a helpful perspective. Link: Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay by Mira Kirshenbaum Submit your quest…

Is it a boundary or an ultimatum? Why narcissists hate limit setting

Have you wondered why narcissists hate limit setting? Why are your boundaries treated as though optional, yet they treat theirs like ultimatums? In this podcast episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara explore the common difficulties we experience limit setting with narcissists. Instead of a self-help tip, we’ve answered a listener’s question that was emailed to us. She asked how do you know when someone’s addiction recovery isn’t real. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Comp…

Why isn’t my narcissistic partner changing when they say they’re trying?

Have you ever asked yourself, Why isn’t my narcissistic partner changing despite going to therapy? Many narcissists claim they’ve never worked harder yet their abusive behavior continues. In this podcast episode, Kerry and Tara share from their personal experiences how to know when a narcissistic partner is truly doing the work to save a troubled relationship. And the self-help tip is a simple exercise on how to test a narcissistic partner’s sincerity in making real change. Submit your que…

Were you emotionally abused or narcissistically abused? Why the differences matter.

Why distinguish narcissistic abuse from emotional abuse? Aren’t both referring to the same thing? In this episode, Kerry and Tara take a closer look at how narcissistic abuse uses deception to confuse and dupe victims. And the self-help tip is on how to use expressive writing for healing from abuse. LINK: Defining Narcissistic Abuse: The Case for Deception as Abuse by Kristen Milstead, PhD Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Complete Recovery Collection: Narciss…

Are you trapped? What to do if you’re stuck in a bad relationship

What should you do if you get trapped in a bad relationship? Narcissistic abuse victims often have limited financial means and little social support. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara answer a listener’s letter of someone who finds themselves exactly in this position. The self-help tip is about the importance of giving yourself permission to prioritize your own needs first. Link: What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter, PhD Submit your question to be answered on a…

Is it love bombing or real love? Can you tell the difference?

How do you know if it’s love bombing vs. real love? What signs should we be watching out for when meeting someone new? Does the problem of love bombing only apply to narcissists, or do other people do it too? In this podcast episode, Kerry and Tara share from their personal experience the common mistakes we make separating love bombing from real love. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst S…