Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna

Katie McKenna
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  • Mental Health

This Podcast is for anyone who grew up up in a dysfunctional or narcissistic family system and now finds themselves stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, anxiety or unhealthy relationships. Each episode offers real-world insight into trauma recovery, relationships, boundaries, nervous system healing and reconnecting to your true self.  Whether your just starting your healing journey or looking to deepen it, you’re welcome here - just as you are 

  1. 3 days ago

    Does Illness Change Everything?

    When you finally find the strength to go no contact with abusive parents, it can feel like the hardest decision you'll ever make.  But what when of those parents becomes seriously ill? This week we hear from a listener who spent decades trying to make sense of life with a covertly narcissistic mother and an enabling father before choosing to protect herself and her own family through estrangement.  Over time, things have quietened, but the attempts to provoke contact have never fully stopped. And then a brief letter arrives revealing her father's diagnosis, bringing with it an unexpected wave of grief, guilt and emotional conflict. Together, Ruth and I explore one of the most painful questions adult children of narcissistic families face:  Does a parent's illness change anything?  Are boundaries possible? Can you hold compassion for someone's suffering while still protecting yourself from further harm?  If you've ever questioned your decision to remain no contact, worried that illness means you "should" go back, or struggled with the guilt that can surface when an abusive parent becomes vulnerable, this episode offers understanding, validation, and a compassionate framework for navigating one of the most emotionally complex situations adult survivors can face. www.callaghancounselling.ie  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    51 min

  2. 3 Jul

    Narcissism or Neurodivergent? (S6 Ep.5)

    What happens when the behaviours that hurt you look similar to traits associated with autism or ADHD? Where is the line between someone struggling because they're neurodivergent and someone causing harm through narcissistic patterns? In this episode, we explore the important differences between intention, impact, empathy, accountability, and "own agenda" behaviour.  We also talk about why understanding someone's neurodivergence doesn't require you to minimise your own experience or abandon the boundaries you've worked so hard to build. If you've ever found yourself questioning whether the person who hurt you was narcissistic, neurodivergent, or both, this conversation will help you bring more clarity to a topic that is often misunderstood. www.callaghancounselling.ie  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    53 min

  3. 26 Jun

    Emotional Eating (S6 Ep4)

    For many children raised by narcissistic parents, their body becomes another battleground where they learn that who they are is never quite acceptable.  Too thin? There's a problem. Too heavy? There's a problem. Trying to improve yourself? That's a problem too. " I always felt that I disappointed my parents and they didn't like me." "I always went from chunky to super skinny and kept moving back and forth with my weight." "As an adult now, I'm an emotional eater. Food is my comfort." "I don't drink or use any substances but when it comes to eating I just struggle."  "When I feel even a bit hungry I start to panic like the food will not be there later."  If you've spent years blaming yourself for emotional eating, binge eating, constantly thinking about food, or feeling out of control around eating, this episode may help you understand something important: What if your relationship with food isn't really about food at all? Many adult children of narcissistic, emotionally immature, or dysfunctional parents grow up believing they have a lack of willpower. They tell themselves they're lazy, undisciplined, or simply incapable of maintaining healthy habits. But often, what looks like a food problem is actually a nervous system problem.   In this week's episode Dr. Ruth Callaghan and I, dive deep into this weeks letter of a listener of growing up with a narcissistic mother, an enabling father, family alcoholism, religious dysfunction, and a childhood where food became tangled up with love, safety, criticism, and survival. Watch 'Beyond Survival' on YouTube www.Bodywhys.ie  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    1hr 12min

  4. 19 Jun

    When The Veil Finally Drops (S6 Ep.3)

    In this episode, Katie & Ruth hear from a listener in the "raw stages of estrangement" – navigating the grief, fear, and disorientation that can come when the reality of a dysfunctional family system finally comes into focus. After years of minimising and carrying the impact of her father's emotional abuse, aggression, and physical violence – everything changed when that same behaviour was directed towards their young child.  Faced with a choice between protecting family relationships or protecting her child – she chose to break a cycle that had been running for generations. If you're currently navigating the painful early stages of estrangement, or questioning whether you're doing the right thing by choosing distance from harmful family dynamics, this conversation offers validation, understanding, and a reminder that protecting your children often begins with protecting yourself. Watch 'Beyond Survival' on YouTube  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    1hr 10min

  5. 12 Jun

    Should I Go To Therapy with my Narcissistic Parent? (S6 Ep.2)

    What happens when the parent who always refused accountability finally agrees to therapy? In this episode, Ruth and Katie explore the complex realities of dysfunctional family systems, the difference between reconciliation and repair, the risks and potential benefits of family therapy with a narcissistic or emotionally immature parent, and we delve deep into the pressure many adult children face to "keep the peace" from extended family – at the expense of their own wellbeing. If you've ever wondered whether attending one final conversation is an act of self-respect or self-betrayal, this episode is for you. Watch 'Beyond Survival' on YouTube  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    1hr 8min

  6. 5 Jun

    How Narcissistic Parents use Abandonment as a Method of Control (S6 - Ep.1)

    "Do as I say and you can stay. Piss me off and you are out." That was the message our listener received throughout her childhood. In this powerful letter, she reflects on growing up with a mother who repeatedly used the threat of abandonment to maintain control — leaving her with severe anxiety, a deep fear of rejection, and the sense that love could be withdrawn at any moment. Now a parent herself, she finds herself facing a different challenge. As she sets boundaries to protect her children, her mother accuses her of being angry, difficult to love, and responsible for breaking up the family. At the same time, she appears increasingly focused on building relationships with her grandchildren while refusing to address the hurt in her relationship with her daughter. In this episode, we explore abandonment as a form of narcissistic abuse, the impact of growing up with conditional love, and why protecting your children can sometimes bring old family dynamics into sharp focus. We also discuss the grief of accepting that some parents are more invested in access than accountability — and what healing can look like when repair isn't possible. Watch Beyond Survival on YouTube Contact Dr. Ruth Callaghan: www.callaghancounselling.ie  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    1hr 4min

  7. 29 May

    Behind Closed Doors: Recognising Coercive Control (S5 - Ep.10)

    In this week episode, I’m joined by Michelle from ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services for a vital conversation about domestic abuse and coercive control: How it can look in real lifeWhy it can be so hard to recognise when you’re inside itand what support can make possible.Michelle brings years of frontline experience supporting women experiencing domestic abuse through outreach, education, family law court support, and recovery groups across Limerick.  Together, we talk about the patterns of coercive control, the impact abuse can have on your sense of self and safety, and some of the reasons people can feel trapped, confused, or unable to name what’s happening. This episode is for anyone wanting a clearer picture of how coercive control works behind closed doors. We also explore the importance of community awareness and the role support can play in helping someone move from survival toward safety and recovery. www.adaptservices.ie  Phone ADAPT - 1 800 200 504  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    53 min

  8. 22 May

    Can I Trust Myself (S5 Ep.9)

    If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I overreacting, or was that not okay?” — this episode is for you. For many survivors of narcissistic abuse, the question “Can I trust my own perception?” sits quietly at the centre of healing — shaping how you think, feel, and relate to yourself and others. In this episode, I shift the focus away from analysing the narcissist and bring it back to you — your internal world. Because while understanding the abuse is essential, staying stuck in that analysis can keep you disconnected from the very thing that was taken from you: trust in yourself. In this solo episode, I talk about 4 ways your body and nervous system send you signals: chronic confusion, the “ick,” the physical sensation of feeling small or put down, and the urge to fawn or appease. This episode is an invitation to begin moving your internal compass back where it belongs — inside you.  Sign up to receive Parenting Support and get notified when Katie is running the next round of The CALM Method BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

    34 min
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About

This Podcast is for anyone who grew up up in a dysfunctional or narcissistic family system and now finds themselves stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, anxiety or unhealthy relationships. Each episode offers real-world insight into trauma recovery, relationships, boundaries, nervous system healing and reconnecting to your true self.  Whether your just starting your healing journey or looking to deepen it, you’re welcome here - just as you are 

Information

  • Creator
    Katie McKenna
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna
  • Show Website
    Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna
  • Provider

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