Trauma Bond

You’ve Been Brainwashed! How Manipulators Train You to Never Leave

Were you brainwashed to stay — and didn’t even know it? A cult doesn’t need a compound, robes, or a manifesto. All it needs is two people: one who sets the rules and one who lives by them. Dr. Kerry reads your most powerful wake-up moments — from the woman who recognized every cult trait laid down in the first three months of a nine-year relationship, to the viewer who grew up in a home where productivity meant safety, to the one who finally had a word for what she’d survived: br…

You Saw the Red Flags and Stayed Anyway. Here’s the Real Reason Why

Why can you spot every red flag, name every tactic, and still find yourself in another toxic relationship? A commenter recently wrote that she had been raised by three narcissists, married to one, dated another for five years, recently lost a friendship to one, and a former partner just resurfaced. She wrapped up by saying “the law of averages can’t explain it. So what can?” In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks why insight alone never sets survivors free. Submit Your Question …

My Abusive Husband Claims He’s Trauma-Bonded to Me!

“My abuser claims he’s ‘trauma bonded’ to me…Can that be true? This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener on YouTube who wants to know how common it is for an abusive partner to be trauma bonded. Hers claims to be. She’s wonders if this true or if her partner is attempting to dodge responsibility. Submit Your Question If you’d like your question addressed on air, send it here: 👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail Submit your question to be answered on air here! R…

Why We Miss the Abuse — And How to Break Free from the Confusion

Why do so many survivors miss they’re being abuse? In this Labor Day Special, I’m revisiting three powerful interviews that follow the journey from denial to freedom. Whether you’re still in or out of a toxic relationship, learning to recognize the psychological patterns can help you plan your next step toward freedom. Have a Fan Mail Question? Submit it here! Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery …

Exposing Love Bombing: Insights from The Wolf of Wall Street’s Ex-Wife

What if the person you fell in love with never really existed? In this episode, Dr. Nae — psychologist, author of Run Like Hell, and former wife of the real “Wolf of Wall Street” — exposes how master manipulators use love-bombing, mirroring, and coercive control to create a false sense of intimacy. Podcast Extra Exclusive Interview Find it here the exclusive interview and weekly newsletter. More About the Podcast Extra Interview Leaving a trauma bond isn’t just about walking away—it’s abou…

How Narcissists’ Use Breadcrumbs of Love to Create an Agonizing Confusion

Trauma bonds are one of the most misunderstood yet powerful connections that narcissists and toxic individuals exploit to keep their partners trapped. These bonds create a confusing dynamic where the very person causing harm becomes the source of comfort—a cycle that is as addictive as it is painful. In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to break down the making and breaking of trauma bonds. Together, we uncover how these devastating ties form, why they’re so hard to…

When You Can’t Leave or Stay: How to Recognize a Trauma Bond

There comes a point when you know you need to leave, but you can’t. The connection with your loved one is too powerful. In this episode, Rossana Faye joins me to discuss the signs and symptoms of a late-stage trauma bond. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live c…

If You’re in a Narcissistic Relationship, Why Couples Therapy is a Bad Idea

When there’s trouble in a relationship, most couples are urged to seek couples counseling. In today’s episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to talk about why this suggestion is a terrible idea if your partner is a narcissist. Too many couples therapists lack the education to identify narcissistic abuse, and narcissistic and toxic partners are highly sophisticated at manipulating the therapeutic process. For help breaking a trauma bond, see Lisa’s resources: https://strongerthanbefore.ca Submit yo…

I desperately love and fear them: The Terrifying Power of a Trauma Bond

Could you be trauma-bonded to a narcissist? Are you battling a strange mix of love and fear? Lisa Sonni joins me this week to discuss trauma bonds–an intense connection to another person that is very difficult to break. We think we feel love when it’s based on fear. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital c…

Is my partner a narcissist? Highlights from Dr. Kerry’s 3 Favorite Interviews

Relationships with narcissists can be confounding, confusing, and incredibly frustrating. Join Dr. Kerry for this holiday episode when she revisits the highlights of her three favorite interviews. Hear Dr. Les Carter’s explanation of why narcissists are so tricky, Lisa Sonni’s three steps to breaking a trauma bond, and Dr. Robin Stern’s disturbing description of gaslighting’s power. To listen to these full episodes: Dr. Les Carter: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/podcast/s…