Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.
  • 4.6 (284)
  • 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 You’re Struggling to Feel Empathy for Yourself — Tammy Triolo

    1D AGO

    Why You’re Struggling to Feel Empathy for Yourself — Tammy Triolo

    Lost empathy for yourself? You've already lost the fight.  This week, Tammy Triolo reveals the shocking connection between self-empathy loss and narcissistic abuse.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Tammy walks you through recognizing when thoughts are just thoughts—not truth—and how to stop surrendering to negative beliefs.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview TAMMY'S BOOKS  • The Empathy Gap: It Is Black and White  • Workbook MORE ABOUT TAMMY TRIOLO  Tammy Triolo is a cultural strategist, author, and creator of the Empathy Scorecard. As founder of PCQ Consulting, she works with companies to improve culture and develop sustainable DEI initiatives.  • Website: tammytriolo.com  • Social: @tammytriolo on TikTok and Instagram  • Podcast: The Empathy Lab (Substack) 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.

    36 min
  2. Gaslit by Your Doctor? Why Healthcare Attracts Narcissists and How to Protect Yourself

    5D AGO

    Gaslit by Your Doctor? Why Healthcare Attracts Narcissists and How to Protect Yourself

    “My doctor keeps telling me it's all in my head—but I know something's wrong. Why won't they listen?"  This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: "Dear Kerry, could you do a podcast on the topic of narcissism, psychopathy and healthcare?…”  In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down why healthcare settings attract people who crave power and control, how the doctor-patient dynamic creates dangerous vulnerability, and why women are especially at risk of medical dismissal.  Submit your question to be answered on air here! Follow on AppleFollow on SpotifyDr Kerry’s Resources ReclaimYou: AI-powered coaching app built on Dr. Kerry’s experience.The Complete Recovery Collection: Educational resources for narcissistic abuse healingFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseThe Toxic-Free Relationship Club: coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. 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.

    10 min
  3. You’ve Been Made to Think It’s Your Fault: The Truth About Predatory Behavior

    FEB 2

    You’ve Been Made to Think It’s Your Fault: The Truth About Predatory Behavior

    Ever wonder why you didn't see it coming?  This week, Don Hennessy joins Dr. Kerry to expose the hidden playbook male predators use to infiltrate your mind—without you knowing it happened. We unpack the shocking truth about what predators are actually really after.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW   🔹 Hennessy breaks down the grooming steps you never saw coming.  Don reveal why 75% of people think "it couldn't happen to me.” 👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview HENNESSY’S BOOKS  How He Gets Into Her HeadSteps to Freedom: Escaping Intimate ControlHow He Wins: Abusive Intimate Partners Going FreeMORE ABOUT DON HENNESSY  Don Hennessy is an Irish psychotherapist and author who spent decades working directly with abusive men and their partners. He’s at work writing his fourth book.  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.

    34 min
  4. Does Narcissism Come and Go? Why Narcissists Seem Better & Then Suddenly Aren't

    JAN 29

    Does Narcissism Come and Go? Why Narcissists Seem Better & Then Suddenly Aren't

    Does Narcissism Come and Go? What "Good Periods" With a Narcissist Really Mean  This week's Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Dubai who writes: "Can narcissism in a person wax and wane? There's been years when my husband was acting like a narcissist, and then there's also been chunks of years where he's been incredibly supportive and uplifting. Can a narcissist change depending on their current situation?"  In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why narcissistic behavior can absolutely shift between good and bad periods and what those changes really means. Submit Your Question  If you'd like your question addressed on air, send it here:  👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail__ 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
  5. Coercive Control: How It Steals Your Freedom (Before You Even Realize It) — Dr. Christine Cocchiola

    JAN 26

    Coercive Control: How It Steals Your Freedom (Before You Even Realize It) — Dr. Christine Cocchiola

    Slowly losing control in your relationship—but can't quite put your finger on what's happening? This week, Dr. Christine Cocchiola breaks down coercive control as the invisible foundation beneath all abuse.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Think you might be losing yourself, but not sure how to tell?  Dr. C provides the "identity assessment" you need and how to spot the difference between healthy anger and weaponized emotion.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview MORE ABOUT DR. CHRISTINE COCCHIOLA  Website or https://www.iknowyourheart.com Podcast: Perfect Prey Social Media: @cocchiolaDR. CHRISTINE COCCHIOLA is a leading expert on coercive control, protective parenting, and family court abuse. After surviving 27 years and 11 months with an abuser despite being a trained professional who taught about domestic violence, she now dedicates her work to helping others recognize the invisible tactics that strip autonomy. Dr. C specializes in supporting protective parents navigating family court.  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.

    36 min
  6. Narcissist vs. Narcissist: What Happens When These Two Toxic Personalities Match-Up

    JAN 22

    Narcissist vs. Narcissist: What Happens When These Two Toxic Personalities Match-Up

    "My coworker is a narcissist—and so is our boss. What happens when two narcissists have to work together?"  This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "Thank you for all your content! Very helpful. I am curious to know - what tends to happen when 'a narcissist meets a narcissist' - meaning they are introduced to each other, are coworkers or need to cooperate with each other in some way or even end up being partners? Are there any patterns to or are there typical characteristics/outcomes to this dynamic? Might they not be aware that they are both narcissists?"  In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down what really happens when two highly narcissistic people enter each other's orbit—whether they fast-bond over shared grandiosity, descend into brutal competition for dominance, or manage an ice-cold alliance for mutual benefit. She explains the collusion-to-competition pipeline, why narcissistic couples can look magnetic but feel exhausting, and why most narcissists will never see themselves the way they see each other.  Submit Your Question  If you'd like your question addressed on air, send it here:  👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail 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.

    10 min
  7. Gone No Contact? Why Some Parents Have to Push Away Their Kids

    JAN 19

    Gone No Contact? Why Some Parents Have to Push Away Their Kids

    Why do loving parents sometimes push away the very children they'd do anything for?  This week, Catherine Hickem joins Dr. Kerry to unpack one of the most painful dynamics in modern families—parental estrangement. We explore how unspoken expectations create invisible walls, why parents mistake control for connection, and how grief work (yes, grief work) is the secret to letting your adult children become who they actually are, not who you needed them to be.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Stuck waiting for certainty before you leave?  Catherine and Dr. Kerry tackle the cognitive dissonance trap—why you'll never feel "ready" to go, how to make the hardest decision of your life without clarity, and why almost no one regrets leaving once they finally do.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse MORE ABOUT CATHERINE HICKEM  Website: https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com TikTok: @parentingadultchildrentdEmail: catherine@parentingadultchildrentoday.comCATHERINE HICKEM, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, executive and family coach, and founder of Parenting Adult Children Today. With over 40 years of experience and a master's degree in clinical social work from the University of Louisville, Catherine has dedicated her career to helping parents navigate the often-overlooked complexities of raising adult children. She is the author of Regret-Free Parenting and specializes in estrangement recovery, teaching parents how to release expectations, grieve unmet dreams, and rebuild relationships grounded in acceptance rather than control.  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.

    31 min
  8. Is It Really Estrangement… Or Is Your Toxic Ex Playing Parental Alienation Games?

    JAN 15

    Is It Really Estrangement… Or Is Your Toxic Ex Playing Parental Alienation Games?

    A listener pushes back and asks, "How do we know the parent claiming alienation isn't actually the abuser manipulating the narrative?" When a child rejects contact with a parent after separation, is it parental alienation or justified estrangement? In this week's fan mail, a listener pushes back with a challenge about a previous episode that aired October 16, 2025, titled "Why Does My Ex Always Blame Me When the Kids Want Nothing to Do with Him?" This listener wanted to know how to tell when the person complaining about a toxic co-parent isn't actually the abuser. Dr. Kerry unpacks the difference between alienation and estrangement, and what "fostering a relationship" actually means when required by a custody agreement. Got a question or pushback? Send it via the link below or email clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com 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.

    11 min
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4.6
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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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