Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.
  • 4.6 (292)
  • 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 Covert Narcissists Always Make You Feel Guilty (Even When You've Done Nothing Wrong)

    2H AGO

    Why Covert Narcissists Always Make You Feel Guilty (Even When You've Done Nothing Wrong)

    Covert narcissism (NPD) is the hardest form of narcissistic abuse to identify — and the most damaging.   Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you did something wrong — even though you can't quite explain what?  In this episode, Dr. Kerry McAvoy sits down with Dr. Anthony Mazzella (The Narcissism Decoder) to break down exactly how covert narcissists use guilt and victimhood to keep you trapped.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse  🔹 Think you might already be in one of these relationships? Dr. Mazzella and Dr. Kerry walk you through the internal warning signs — including the FOG of Fear, Obligation, and Guilt.  DR. ANTHONY MAZZELLA is a psychotherapist & psychoanalyst, educator, and podcaster who conducts research and lectures across the country. While his focus with his patients is psychodynamic in nature, his main goals are to build a trusting relationship and help each patient reduce the frequency and intensity of their emotional painful thoughts and suffering. He helps his patients overcome both acute and long-standing problems that may be more imbedded in their personality.  FOLLOW DR. MAZZELLA   WebsiteYouTubeThe Narcissism Decoder PodcastSubmit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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
  2. Why Narcissists Always Make Their Victims Look Unhinged

    4D AGO

    Why Narcissists Always Make Their Victims Look Unhinged

    Why does the person who calls out a narcissist end up looking like the unhinged one?  A Facebook follower writes in, "Why does the person recognizing and confronting the narcissistic behavior often appear unhinged to everyone else?" In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why narcissists always appear calm and credible while their victims come across as unstable.  Submit Your Question  If you'd like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com or use this link. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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
  3. The #1 Mistake People Make When Divorcing a Narcissist

    APR 6

    The #1 Mistake People Make When Divorcing a Narcissist

    Are you walking into your divorce expecting the court to finally see the truth about your narcissistic ex?  This week, divorce attorney Hannah Bell Hembree joins Dr. Kerry to pull back the curtain on what really happens in the courtroom when you're leaving a narcissist. With nearly two decades of legal experience and her own custody battle behind her, Hannah shares the hard truths every survivor needs to hear before they file.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  🔹 Is the court biased against men — or women? In this members-only bonus, Hannah Bell Hembree gives her candid, real-world take on courtroom bias. Her answer may surprise you.   👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview MORE ABOUT HANNAH BELL HEMBREE   Podcast: Not Saving It for Later  Community & Free Divorce Prep Course  Instagram: @HannahHembreeBell  HANNAH BELL HEMBREE is a divorce attorney based in Austin, Texas, where she leads a firm of nearly 50 people dedicated to helping marriages end well. She is also the founder of the My Confident Life Circle, an online community supporting women through divorce and beyond, and the host of the new podcast Not Saving It for Later. Drawing on her own experience navigating divorce and two custody modifications, Hannah equips women with the practical strategies and mindset shifts they need to protect their kids, their money, and their sanity. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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.

    38 min
  4. How to Help a Friend Who Can't Walk Away from a Narcissistic Relationship

    APR 2

    How to Help a Friend Who Can't Walk Away from a Narcissistic Relationship

    My best friend divorced her narcissistic ex two months ago — but she keeps talking to him, then ignoring him, then reaching out again. She says she wants to move on, but she can't seem to break the cycle.  In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why leaving a narcissist doesn't automatically break the trauma bond — and what's really driving the painful push-pull your friend can't escape. Learn how to support someone you love through this without shaming, lecturing, or pushing them further away. Submit Your Question If you'd like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com or use the link in the show notes. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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. The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)

    MAR 30

    The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)

    Have you ever tried to walk away from a toxic person, only to find yourself right back in the middle of their reality? This week, Dr. Robin Stern (author of The Gaslight Effect) joins Dr. Kerry for a conversation that will change how you view manipulation. Most people think gaslighting is just about lying—but the truth is much darker. It’s a "relational mess" that requires two people to function. Previous Interviews with Dr. Stern What's wrong with me? The Power of Gaslighting to Confuse and Control: Interview with Dr. Robin Stern Breaking Chains: Dr. Kerry McAvoy's Triumph Over Marital Gaslighting and Narcissism PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT   Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW   🔹 Dr. Stern shares the shift that breaks the cycle for good: "Don't allow somebody to matter more than you matter."  In this members-only bonus, Dr. Stern and Dr. Kerry unpack how to stay open and connected in relationships without surrendering yourself in the process.  👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview DR. STERN'S BOOKS  • The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life: https://amzn.to/4b50aRu  • The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide: https://amzn.to/40qzc0B  MORE ABOUT DR. ROBIN STERN   Dr. Robin Stern, Ph.D., is a licensed psychoanalyst, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor to the Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and one of the world's leading authorities on gaslighting. She is the author of The Gaslight Effect and host of The Gaslight Effect Podcast.  Website: robinstern.com   Podcast: The Gaslight Effect Podcast (available on all platforms) Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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.

    23 min
  6. Do Narcissists Enjoy Hurting You? Here's Dr. Kerry's Hard Truth

    MAR 26

    Do Narcissists Enjoy Hurting You? Here's Dr. Kerry's Hard Truth

    Why does someone who divorces a narcissist keep going back to them?  A listener writes in, “My best friend divorced her narcissistic ex two months ago — but she keeps talking to him, then ignoring him, then reaching out again. She says she wants to move on, but she can't seem to break the cycle.”   In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why leaving a narcissist doesn't automatically break the trauma bond and why survivors struggle to escape.  Submit Your Question   If you'd like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com or use this link. Follow on Apple  Follow on Spotify Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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 to Tell You've Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner's Best Sniff Test

    MAR 23

    How to Tell You've Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner's Best Sniff Test

    Have you ever felt completely drained after spending time with certain people in your life?  This week, Coach Dan Ratner joins Dr. Kerry to explore the hidden world of emotional vampires: the 12 types of energy-draining people we all have in our lives and why narcissists are the most dangerous of them all. Dan shares his powerful KEEPER framework for identifying who truly deserves a place in your life.  PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT  Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse  MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  🔹 Already know you have an emotional vampire in your life? Here's what to do next.  Coach Dan breaks down practical strategies for managing toxic people you can't simply cut out — from family members to coworkers — and how to protect your emotional energy without blowing everything up.  DANIEL RATNER is a relationship coach, speaker, and author helping people build healthier connections by recognizing draining patterns and setting stronger boundaries. A former entrepreneur turned personal growth expert, he is the author of Infinite Marriage and The Ten Secrets to a Passionate Marriage, with his upcoming book, Emotional Vampires, teaching readers how to protect their happiness from toxic people. Through his coaching, books, and public talks, Daniel provides clear, practical tools for improving self-esteem, cultivating "keepers," and creating relationships that fuel joy.  GET HIS BOOK Emotional Vampires: How to Protect Your Happiness from People Who Will Suck You Dry FOLLOW COACH RATNER • Website • Instagram • YouTube • TikTok Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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. My Brother Is Stealing My Mother's Final Years & She Refuses to Stop Him

    MAR 19

    My Brother Is Stealing My Mother's Final Years & She Refuses to Stop Him

    Take the Toxic or Troubled? Quiz and get specialized help for your specific situation. https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey My 62-year-old narcissistic brother moved in with my 86-year-old mother "temporarily" after his divorce six years ago. Now she's suffocating, the rest of the family stays away, and she won't let anyone intervene.  In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why some mothers choose guilt over peace — and what to do when someone refuses to set healthy relationship limits for themselves. Learn how to protect your own nervous system while supporting a parent who is trapped by fear, obligation, and guilt.  Submit Your Question   If you'd like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymcavoyphd.com or use this link. Follow on Apple  Follow on Spotify Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseToxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community supportFollow Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookKerry 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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