Sometimes, the truth can be right in front of you, but you still can't see it. Rossana Faye joins me this week to discuss a concept Dr. Jennifer Freyd, in her book Blind to Betrayal, calls “betrayal blindness.” Some truths can be so devastating that they are difficult to face. And, the self-help tip is the importance of listening to what feels off, uncomfortable, or wrong to recognize signs you may be missing critical details in your relationship or family. Blind to Betrayal: Why We Fool Ourselves When We Aren’t Being Fooled by Jennifer Freyd, Ph.D.: https://amzn.to/3TRNPpO Now, you don't n ..read more

Is it ever okay to go through your partner's phone? I've been guilty of snooping and might consider doing it again. Narcissists and toxic personalities are masters at creating ambiguity. My ex used to readily offer me his credit card after we first started dating. He'd send photos of broken machinery and take me on company runs, all as a way to build trust so that I couldn't tell real company crises from manufactured ones. I later learned he'd created this elaborate ruse to hide a double life. Yet going through our loved one's phone can become a hard habit to break. Sometimes, we struggle t ..read more

An all-too-common problem is narcissists and pets. Toxic people often pose a serious danger to our beloved animals. In this podcast, Lisa Sonni and Dr. Kerry discuss the relationship toxic people often have with their family pets. Narcissists will often shower animals with love and attention only to harm the pets in private. The self-help tip includes some important boundaries to consider when beginning a relationship with someone new. Now, you don't need to wait a week for your next podcast fix. For only $5/month, sign up for weekly podcast extras! Join me on Ko-fi! Follow the Dr. McAvoy ..read more

Have you been a victim of spiritual abuse? It's not just interpersonal relationships that can be toxic, but also group systems and leaders. Many are stepping forward to expose toxic church leadership and oppressive and abusive spiritual belief systems. This week, Natalie Hoffman, author of Is it Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse and her latest book, All the Scary Little Gods: a Memoir, joins me to discuss this sensitive topic. To learn more about Natalie, you can find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyi ..read more

Have you ever wondered, "Am I the narcissist?" Have you been accused of being the problem?  In this podcast episode, Rossana Faye joins me to discuss how to know who's creating the chaos. Narcissists are notorious for never seeing themselves as the root cause, but how do we know that the issue isn't us?  And the self-help tip is how to use your history to identify dysfunctional relationship patterns.  Please join me for the weekly Podcast Extra! For just $5 a month, get key takeaways, helpful psychological insights and tools, and an exclusive podcast audio extra. This week, R ..read more

Is being overly controlling a form of abuse? In this podcast episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss the subtleties of coercive control. Learn how to recognize the common control tactic of this insidious form of abuse. And this week's self-help tip is to assess how your partner's feelings and demands affect you. Are you doing less and becoming increasingly isolated to please them? Would you like to learn more about this topic? Be sure to become a subscriber for the weekly Podcast Extra. Get a jam-packed newsletter with examples, psychological insights, reflective questions, and further reso ..read more

Stonewalling or giving someone the silent treatment is one of the nastiest forms of unfair fighting. When we ignore or reject another person's bid for a connection more than thirty percent of the time, the likelihood the relationship won't make it dramatically increases. In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss why stonewalling is such a popular toxic behavior and what to do if it's happening to you.  A big thank you to this podcast's sponsor, GettheTea.com. Check out their supplements and teas and get better health today! You don't need to wait a week for your next podcast fix ..read more

Have you wondered what's wrong with me? This could be a sign of gaslighting. Dr. Robin Stern, psychoanalyst, author, and expert on gaslighting, joins me to discuss the underlying dynamics of a toxic or narcissistic relationship. She delves into the hidden motivations of both the gaslighter as well as the gaslightee. •Learn more about Dr. Stern: https://robinstern.com •The Gaslight Effect Podcast: https://robinstern.com/podcast/about-the-gaslight-effect-podcast/ •My Interview with Dr. Stern on The Gaslight Effect Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/032-breaking-chains-dr-kerry-mcav ..read more

Could living with a narcissist be making you sick? Are you struggling with more illnesses? Maybe you even have an autoimmune disease. In this podcast episode, Tara Blair Ball and Lisa Sonni discuss the invisible impact of living with a narcissist on our health. Learn how narcissists and other toxic people not only sabotage our self-care but also impact our physical and mental health. Resources: The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk- https://amzn.to/3Sh06nc                                   &n ..read more

Are you stuck in a bad relationship? Are you wondering if you have good enough reasons enough to leave? In this podcast episode, Rossana Faye, Rollercoaster of Love, joins to me to discuss how self-doubt can trap us in a bad relationship. How we can get stuck in our own heads, which only adds to the confusion we already feel in narcissistic relationships. And the self-help tip is the power of finding forgiveness for ourselves through acceptance and love. You don't need to wait a week for your next podcast fix. For only $5/month, sign up for weekly podcast extras!  For the same great con ..read more