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Therapy for healing from Narcissistic and Toxic Relationships
Do you have a person in your life that you believe is a narcissist?
Whether this person is your partner, family member, or friend, dealing with a narcissist can be exhausting and confusing to say the very least! You may notice your feelings, ideas, and needs don’t seem matter to them. It may feel like you are trying to anticipate their mood or that you’re walking on eggshells trying not to upset them. It was good in the beginning, but now you wonder why the relationship is so hard. You can’t seem to shake a gut feeling that something isn’t right.
Below are common traits of a narcissistic person:
Overly self-absorbed, this can come across as either grandiose or vulnerable and shy; the commonality is they often need to be the center of attention, seeking constant admiration, praise, and reassurance
Emotionally invalidating, highly critical, disapproving, and hostile
Manipulative, controlling, and mean or verbally abusive; often outright lying, even about little inconsequential things
Taking little to no responsibility or accountability. They’re either the hero or the victim, but never the one in the wrong; they make you out to be the bad guy
Often use behaviors such as gaslighting to make you doubt your reality/experiences and make you feel crazy
May use tactics like “hoovering” and “love-bombing” where you experience periods of feeling very special and idealized by this person only to be followed by a period of being ignored, devalued, and unimportant to them
Healthy relationships are possible! You deserve to feel safe, seen, connected, and loved.
Therapy for narcissistic relationships can help you…
Gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-compassion
Process your experiences in an emotionally safe and validating environment
Heal from emotional wounds, betrayal, and self-doubt
Find relief from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and body aches/pains brought on by the relationship
Re-build your self-worth, identity, and release your feelings of shame and guilt
Identify narcissistic and toxic traits
Learn about gaslighting, love-bombing, and breaking a trauma bond
Become narcissist resistant!
How therapy can help
Heal from relational trauma
The term narcissist has definitely become more common these days and we are hearing it more than ever. Whether the person in your life is truly a narcissist, or is just an a**hole, both are toxic types of people to be involved with and can cause relational trauma.
Unlike trauma from a singular incident (e.g. a severe car accident), relational trauma refers to the trauma and suffering experienced in a relationship with another person, like a romantic partner or within a family. Relational trauma encompasses the aftereffects of psychological, emotional, and physical abuse; maltreatment; neglect; or chaotic family life. This complex type of wound on a person can make them feel unsafe, unimportant, and have a difficult time trusting others.
Our first relationships with our families and caregivers have a lasting impact on our lives as an adult, especially if you experienced relational trauma. It can even make it hard to notice what is and ISN’T healthy in your current relationships. No one has a perfect childhood growing up. Sometimes even seemingly “normal” childhood experiences can leave their mark. Together we will gently explore how this kind of trauma shows up in your life and if it is contributing to your current situation through unhelpful beliefs or patterns of behavior.
Frequently asked questions about narcissistic abuse recovery
FAQs
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Most likely, no. Because narcissists think so highly of themselves, they are unlikely to believe there is anything they need to change. They will think YOU are the problem. You will need to learn solid boundaries to protect yourself. Learn more.
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Gaslighting is a term that comes from a 1930s play in which a husband emotionally and mentally manipulates his wife by dimming the gas lamps within the home. When she asks if it’s getting darker he makes her out to believe she is going crazy.
Gaslighting is the denial of one’s reality and experiences. It’s often used subtly in the beginning so the victim doesn’t realize it’s happening, but can progress to outright statements like, “that never happened” or “you sound crazy.” This causes you to doubt your own feelings and perceptions. It maintains a power dynamic so the one doing the gaslighting can control the narrative.
For the one experiencing it, you may notice a change in your self-esteem, feel more anxious or depressed, and may even wonder if you’re going crazy. Learn more.
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This term is used when a toxic person, or narcissist, idealizes their partner to win favor or get something they want. Examples can include: excessive flattery and praise, unwanted gift giving, talks of the future, constant communication or oversharing. These things can make you feel adored and swept away, but look out for the timing and pace of these behaviors. In a new relationship this can look like a person you’ve known for a few days already talking about “forever” and saying “I love you” without really knowing you. In existing relationships it can look like someone trying to get back in your good graces after being incredibly mean and hurtful, so you won’t end the relationship. This seemingly “nice” behavior can keep you confused. Learn more.
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This term refers to a dysfunctional attachment to another through a cycle of intense emotional experiences of pain/hurt, then caring/comfort. The intense highs and lows can lead to a person holding out hope that the relationship will get good again, despite the pain and negative experiences that make them want to leave. If you’re an empath you are more susceptible to a trauma bond because of your compassion and empathy for others. When in a trauma bond, the brain produces chemicals similar to a person in addiction. This is what keeps you hooked. Recovery is possible! Learn more.