Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.
  • 4.6 (291)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline. Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life. If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today.

  1. Why Am I Not Getting Better? The Hidden CPTSD Symptoms That Can Stall Your Healing

    23M AGO

    Why Am I Not Getting Better? The Hidden CPTSD Symptoms That Can Stall Your Healing

    You've done the work. Read the books. Tried the strategies. So why aren't you healing?  This week, survivor and educator Ellen Tift reveals the hidden CPTSD symptoms quietly keeping you stuck—and why naming them might be the most powerful thing you can do.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Ellen dives deep into the little-known difference between existential shame and existential humiliation—and why survivors often feel ashamed just for existing.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview THE BOOK There's a Word for That by Ellen Tift (Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited)  MORE ABOUT ELLEN TIFT  Ellen Tift is a 30-year university educator and CPTSD survivor who turned her own healing journey into a comprehensive recovery resource. Her book breaks down the invisible symptoms of complex trauma into plain-English chapters—each with practical strategies and real-life scripts.  • Website • Instagram Submit your question to be answered on air here! Break free from narcissistic abuse with ReclaimYou. The app that's like having Dr. Kerry as your personal coach in your pocket 24/7. Get personalized support, healing exercises, and expert guidance whenever you need it. Join the waitlist now and be first to reclaim your life at studio.com/drkerry Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    31 min
  2. Watch Out for These 7 Empathy Weaponization Tactics That Will Trap You

    3D AGO

    Watch Out for These 7 Empathy Weaponization Tactics That Will Trap You

    Have you heard, ‘If you truly understood me, you'd give me what I want?”  This week's Fan Mail comes from a listener in Sweden who asks Dr. Kerry to explain how empathy gets weaponized.  In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down the 5 types of empathy (affective, cognitive, compassionate, somatic, and perspective-taking) and explains why having empathy doesn't make someone safe. Follow on Apple  Follow on Spotify 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! Break free from narcissistic abuse with ReclaimYou. The app that's like having Dr. Kerry as your personal coach in your pocket 24/7. Get personalized support, healing exercises, and expert guidance whenever you need it. Join the waitlist now and be first to reclaim your life at studio.com/drkerry Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    12 min
  3. Why Did They Pick You? The Trait in ‘Good’ People Narcissists Love to Exploit

    6D AGO

    Why Did They Pick You? The Trait in ‘Good’ People Narcissists Love to Exploit

    Why do narcissists target good, empathetic people in relationships? This week, forensic psychologist Dr. Peter Favaro reveals why being a good person might actually make you MORE vulnerable to narcissists—and how that one irrational belief creates the exact confusion toxic people exploit.  Wondering if you met a “bad person?” Find out with this free gift from Dr. Kerry!  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Dr. Favaro breaks down the ABC model of cognitive behavior therapy—and shows you exactly how to break free from the "500 chances" trap.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview THE BOOK:  Bad People Bible by Dr. Peter Favaro MORE ABOUT DR. PETER FAVARO  Dr. Peter Favaro is a forensic psychologist with decades of experience in high-conflict custody cases and international child abduction cases. He's authored 21 books, including Bad People Bible, Anger Management, and upcoming titles Foundation and a book on mindfulness.   Dr. Favaro’s Teachable site: cihr.teachable.com Submit your question to be answered on air here! Break free from narcissistic abuse with ReclaimYou. The app that's like having Dr. Kerry as your personal coach in your pocket 24/7. Get personalized support, healing exercises, and expert guidance whenever you need it. Join the waitlist now and be first to reclaim your life at studio.com/drkerry Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    31 min
  4. Why Narcissists Follow You When You Move Away—And How to Create Distance That Actually Works

    FEB 26

    Why Narcissists Follow You When You Move Away—And How to Create Distance That Actually Works

    My narcissistic brother is relocating to town after I moved away to escape him—why is he doing this?  In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why narcissists will often close the gap when there’s physical distance. How do you gain psychological distance when you can't move away? She also offers helpful strategies for creating boundaries when distance fails.  Submit Your Question  If you'd like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com or submit it through this link: https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail Follow on Apple Follow on Spotify Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    8 min
  5. Struggling with Post-Separation Abuse? Get Real Help from a Surprising Direction

    FEB 23

    Struggling with Post-Separation Abuse? Get Real Help from a Surprising Direction

    Are you struggling with  post-separation abuse and drowning in documentation?  This week, Anne Wintemute introduces AimeeSays—an AI tool that helps abuse survivors make sense of chaos, document their experience, and present their story in a way family court will actually hear.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Anne reveals how to use AI to document abuse to overcome the victim-blaming that happens when overly emotional in court.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview THE TOOL  • AimeeSays (A-I-M-E-E Says) - Start free chat or subscribe  MORE ABOUT ANNE WINTEMUTE  Anne K Wintemute built AimeeSays after years of witnessing post-separation abuse survivors carry impossible burdens—forced to understand their trauma AND convince others of it. Her AI tool helps survivors document abuse, extract key events automatically, and transform emotional chaos into fact-based reports that courts can't dismiss. • Social: Find AimeeSays on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    35 min
  6. Feeling the Urge to Snoop on Your Partner? Here's What It's Really Telling You

    FEB 19

    Feeling the Urge to Snoop on Your Partner? Here's What It's Really Telling You

    "I found proof he was cheating—but was snooping really what I needed to finally leave?”  This week's Fan Mail comes from a listener in Dublin, CA, who, after reading Dr. Kerry's book "Love You More," recognized her own relationship mirrored Dr. Kerry's experience, including the urge to snoop.  In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why the urge to snoop is actually all the evidence you need that something's wrong and why finding "proof" never actually breaks the cognitive dissonance.  Follow on Apple Follow on Spotify 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! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    7 min
  7. How Narcissists Trap You: A New Movie Shows Gaslighting & Coercive Control

    FEB 16

    How Narcissists Trap You: A New Movie Shows Gaslighting & Coercive Control

    Ever wonder why narcissists feel impossible to leave—even when you know something's wrong?  This week, filmmakers Ali & Stefanie Schmahl reveal how their docu-fiction hybrid "I Love You My Narcissist" portrays what no other film has: the internal experience of being slowly trapped by someone you love.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Ali and Stefanie take you behind the scenes—revealing what it takes to tell stories with your heart.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview THE FILM  • I Love You My Narcissist (ILYMN)  • Pre-register for watch party • Trailer MORE ABOUT ALI & STEFANIE SCHMAHL  Ali Schmahl (Director) and Stefanie Schmahl (Producer/Actress) are Berlin-based independent filmmakers who created "I Love You My Narcissist"—a groundbreaking docu-fiction hybrid featuring expert interviews with Dr. Kerry McAvoy, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Lisa Sonni, and others.  • Website: ilymn.film  • Social: @ilymn.film on TikTok and Instagram ———— Follow on AppleFollow on SpotifySubmit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    32 min
  8. When Your Abuser Won't Leave and Won't Change: Here's Your Options

    FEB 12

    When Your Abuser Won't Leave and Won't Change: Here's Your Options

    "My abusive partner refuses to leave or get help—and I'm trapped in a 'silent divorce.' What are my actual options?"  This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener navigating an impossible situation: a long marriage, adult children, religious pressure against divorce, and an abusive partner who wants to maintain the status quo without doing any of the work to change.  In this episode, Dr. Kerry untangles the confusion between church annulment and legal separation, explains why staying together without changing is still a form of abuse.  --- Follow on AppleFollow on SpotifySubmit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support Follow Dr. Kerry! Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases. This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

    9 min
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4.6
out of 5
291 Ratings

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Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline. Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life. If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today.

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