81 episodes

Are you in a relationship that confuses you and leaves you feeling attacked or walking on eggshells? Maybe you've left one but aren't sure what to do next.
Learn more about narcissistic abuse from Dr. Kerry McAvoy, a mental health clinician and author of Love You More, and Tara Blair Ball, Certified Relationship Coach and author of Reclaim and Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal, as they tackle toxic relationship dynamics.
Listen as they describe destructive personalities, typical partner profiles, progressive stages of abuse, and common manipulation tactics. Find out why these relationships are difficult to avoid, what makes them tough to leave, and how to recover and find self-love again.

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D. & Tara Blair Ball

    • Health & Fitness

Are you in a relationship that confuses you and leaves you feeling attacked or walking on eggshells? Maybe you've left one but aren't sure what to do next.
Learn more about narcissistic abuse from Dr. Kerry McAvoy, a mental health clinician and author of Love You More, and Tara Blair Ball, Certified Relationship Coach and author of Reclaim and Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal, as they tackle toxic relationship dynamics.
Listen as they describe destructive personalities, typical partner profiles, progressive stages of abuse, and common manipulation tactics. Find out why these relationships are difficult to avoid, what makes them tough to leave, and how to recover and find self-love again.

    Are you a gaslighter? How we might unintentionally gaslight in even healthy relationships

    Are you a gaslighter? How we might unintentionally gaslight in even healthy relationships

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss how we might actually gaslight in healthy relationships and how to avoid doing this in the future. And, the self-help tip is on letting others "earn" our trust before blindly giving it to them.

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1, episode 30: Something is really wrong with this relationship. Could I be the narcissist? Listen here.

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast! Leave us a review and let us know what you think about the podcast, send an email to hello@breakingfreewithkerrytara.com

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

    • 32 min
    Is Codependency a Bad Word? Should it be Used to Describe Narcissistic Abuse Victims?

    Is Codependency a Bad Word? Should it be Used to Describe Narcissistic Abuse Victims?

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss codependency vs. Super Traits, what's the difference, and why we differ in how we feel about each of the terms. And, the self-help tip is on how to create a list of top lines for yourself.

    Repeat After Me by Claudia Black: https://amzn.to/3ZMYbsn

    Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: Melody Beattie https://amzn.to/3YpjeQH

    Facing Codependency: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by Miller, Miller, and McMillan: https://amzn.to/3SV8B7g

    Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty by Aziz Gazipura, PsyD: https://amzn.to/3YkEirK

    Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown: https://amzn.to/3mxNNGB

    Codependent Anonymous: CoDA.orghttps://coda.org

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1 episode 58: Why can't I leave my partner? The seven stages of a trauma bond Listen here.

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast! Leave us a review and let us know what you think about the podcast, send an email to hello@breakingfreewithkerrytara.com

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

    • 28 min
    Why do I love my abuser? The power of a trauma bond explained

    Why do I love my abuser? The power of a trauma bond explained

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara give an intimate look at the emotional power of a trauma bond. How trauma bonds create mental confusion and a psychological dependence on the abuser. And, the self-help tip is on the importance of identifying and protecting non-negotiable boundaries.

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1 episode 58: Why can't I leave my partner? The seven stages of a trauma bond Listen here.

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast! Leave us a review and let us know what you think about the podcast, send an email to hello@breakingfreewithkerrytara.com

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

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

    • 25 min
    What's best for the kids, leaving or staying in a toxic relationship?

    What's best for the kids, leaving or staying in a toxic relationship?

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss co-parenting challenges when you have a toxic ex. How do you stay regulated when kids are involved, and what do you do when the kids are being used as pawns? Today's self-help tip is learning to talk to yourself as if you were a friend.

    Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1 episode 66: Is the abuse harmful to children? Two survivors share their personal experiences. Listen here.

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast!

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

    Recommendations for coparenting apps:
    Onward
    OurFamilyWizard
    WeParent
    CustodyConnection
    Parentship
    2Houses



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

    • 26 min
    Can we still be friends? How to handle the toxic post-split lovebomb request

    Can we still be friends? How to handle the toxic post-split lovebomb request

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss why your toxic ex might come back and try to lovebomb you after the break-up through, what may seem like, innocent requests of friendship. We agree that while their offer may seem tantalizing, DON'T do it! Today's self-help tip is a different way to approach communicating with toxic people.

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast!

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

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

    • 25 min
    Do I really need to go no contact with my narcissistic ex?

    Do I really need to go no contact with my narcissistic ex?

    In this week's episode, Kerry and Tara discuss following through with limited contact or no contact after a break-up. What is limited vs. no contact? How long should you do it for? And WHY should you do it? Today's self-help tip is one way to self-soothe during reactive abuse.

    Make sure to check out Tara's 30-day SMS course, "How to Go No Contact With Your Ex," and use the code "PODCAST" to receive 35% off!

    Follow Kerry and Tara on Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook: Kerry's accounts & Tara's accounts.

    Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Become a member of Dr. Kerry McAvoy's exclusive Facebook group, Toxic-Free Relationship Club!

    Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross. Available here at the following online stores.

    Seeking help? Book a coaching session with Tara.

    Reclaim & Recover: Heal from Toxic Relationships with a 7-Step Guided Journal. Get the Journal on Amazon.

    Consider donating the cost of a cup of coffee to support this podcast!

    More available at resources.kerrymcavoyphd.com

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

    • 25 min

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