Restoring Resilience with Chelsey Brooke Cole

"He never lost his temper. He chose it." Don Hennessy spent more than three decades sitting across from male intimate abusers — and what they taught him upends nearly everything we assume about how abuse works. In this episode, Don Hennessy — former Clinical Director of Ireland's National Domestic Violence Intervention Project and author of Steps to Freedom: Escaping Intimate Control — explains the mind of the abuser he calls the "psychophile": a man who invades his partner's thinking deliberately, then hides the intent behind chaos, charm, and blame. You'll learn:  How abusers select a target in as little as 30 minutes, and the qualities they scan for Why "he was out of control" is the most successful lie an abuser tells The transfer of blame that keeps a woman examining herself instead of him How sexual entitlement sits at the center, with every other tactic working as a distraction Why your intuition was never lost — and how to start hearing it again A clear, unflinching look at coercive control — and a reminder that you don't have to understand an abuser to be free of him. You just have to stop him. ABOUT DON Don Hennessy has been working in the area of male intimate abuse for more than 30 years. He was a founding member of the Cork domestic violence project in 1991. He also served as clinical director of the National Domestic Violence Intervention project in Ireland for 15 years. He has published 3 books on the issue which analyse the action of the male abuser (who he names a psychephile) and how a target woman might recover her own instincts. He has addressed conferences in England, Northern Ireland, Spain and Greece. He continues to work with target women. 📖 Books:  👉 How He Gets Into Her Head: The Mind of the Male Intimate Abuser https://www.amazon.com/How-Gets-Into-Her-Head/dp/1855942208 👉 Steps to Freedom: Escaping Intimate Control https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Freedom-Escaping-Intimate-Control-ebook/dp/B07C5D7H3F 👉 How He Wins: Abusive Intimate Partners Going Free https://www.amazon.com/How-He-Wins-Intimate-Partners-ebook/dp/B08PF74VS2 ABOUT CHELSEY Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist and certified partner trauma therapist helping people trust themselves again after narcissistic abuse. She's the author of the best-selling book If Only I'd Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth. She hosts the Restoring Resilience podcast and guides survivors to healing through her signature program, Rewired for Resilience: Reclaiming Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse. Her work has been featured in USA Today, HuffPost, Psychology Today, and other media outlets. You can learn more about working with Chelsey or her resources at www.chelseybrookecole.com  Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ 🧠 Free Quizzes: Is It Narcissistic Abuse? Not sure what you're dealing with? Take a free 2-minute quiz to get clarity now  👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/quizzes/  ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/ (0:00) Introduction & Guest Overview (1:20) Don's Background & How He Got Into This Work (4:36) What Abusers Taught Us: They're Always in Control (9:00) Defining the "Psychophile": Why This Term? (10:18) The Shift from Physical to Mental Control (14:43) How Abusers Target & Assess Their Victims (18:13) The Setup: How Abusers Establish Control (21:06) The Omnipresent Voice & Silencing Your Intuition (24:12) Coercive Control: A Psychological Prison (25:26) Cobras vs. Pit Bulls: Types of Abusers (27:55) The Core: Sexual Dominance & Entitlement (30:53) Shame, Sexuality & What's Not Talked About (34:35) Can Abusers Change? (37:39) Steps to Freedom: Reclaiming Your Intuition (40:17) Final Advice: One Thing to Begin Healing (41:33) Where to Find Don & Closing

Can a psychologist fall victim to a narcissist? Dr. Kerry McAvoy says yes — and she lived it. In this powerful episode, Kerry shares her personal journey of narcissistic abuse recovery after losing her husband to cancer and being targeted by a predatory partner who used coercive control to trap her. If you've ever doubted yourself in a toxic relationship or wondered how to spot a narcissist before it's too late, this conversation is for you. 🎙️ In this episode, you'll learn: Why even mental health professionals can miss the red flags in relationships How predators target agreeable personality types — and what makes you a target The difference between manufactured confidence and real competence How to make yourself "disinteresting" to narcissistic personalities Why trusting your gut is the #1 skill for surviving narcissistic abuse How to rebuild self-worth and become your own best friend after abuse Kerry McAvoy, PhD is a psychologist, author, and narcissistic abuse survivor whose story proves that knowledge alone isn't protection — but self-trust is. Have you ever ignored your gut in a relationship? What happened? 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on healing from toxic relationship signs, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your life after NPD abuse. ABOUT CHELSEY Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist and certified partner trauma therapist helping people trust themselves again after narcissistic abuse. She's the author of the best-selling book If Only I'd Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth. She hosts the Restoring Resilience podcast and guides survivors to healing through her signature program, Rewired for Resilience: Reclaiming Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse. Her work has been featured in USA Today, HuffPost, Psychology Today, and other media outlets. You can learn more about working with Chelsey or her resources at www.chelseybrookecole.com  ABOUT KERRY Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., a retired psychologist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. Her blogs have been featured in Mamami, YourTango, Scary Mommy, and The Good Men Project. In Love You More, Dr. McAvoy gives an uncensored glimpse into her survival of narcissistic abuse, and her workbooks, First Steps to Leaving a Narcissist and Surviving to Thriving, helps victims break free and heal from abusive relationships. She hosts the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast and offers trauma-related advice on social media. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrymcavoyphd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerrymcavoyphd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrymcavoyphd/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdjuTrnV/ Website: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com Love You More, memoir: Love You More: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross ReclaimYou app: https://studio.com/drkerry/ Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ 🧠 Free Quizzes: Is It Narcissistic Abuse? Not sure what you're dealing with? Take a free 2-minute quiz to get clarity now 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/quizzes/  ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/ (00:00) Introduction: Kerry McAvoy's Journey From Psychologist to Survivor Advocate (02:35) The Relationship That Changed Everything: Falling for a Narcissist (05:15) Why Even Therapists Miss the Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse (08:10) Love Bombing, Trauma Bonding, and the Slow Erosion of Reality (12:15) "I Thought I Could Help Him": The Empathy Trap Survivors Fall Into (16:30) Why Leaving Isn't as Simple as "Just Walk Away" (20:05) Who Narcissists Target and Why Highly Empathic People Are Vulnerable (24:10) The Hidden Traits That Make You a Target for Manipulation (28:05) How Narcissists View Relationships: Asset, Enemy, or Threat (32:40) Why Survivors Miss the Person They Thought They Knew (36:50) The Grief of Letting Go of the Future You Imagined (40:20) Can Narcissists Change? The Truth Survivors Need to Hear (45:30) Spiritual Abuse, Charisma, and Why We Ignore Red Flags (49:40) Rebuilding Trust in Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse (54:50) A Powerful Visualization for Strengthening Boundaries (59:40) Finding Your Inner Light and Returning to Yourself (1:03:05) Kerry McAvoy's Advice for Survivors: Become Your Own Friend (1:03:35) Where to Find Kerry McAvoy's Books, Podcast, and Resources

Have you ever felt so beaten down that you stopped trying to change things — stopped fighting for your boundaries, stopped taking care of yourself — because it felt like nothing you did actually mattered? That's not a character flaw. That's what narcissistic abuse does. And in this episode, I'm talking about the one psychological concept that has to be rebuilt before anything else in your healing can work: your agency. Agency is the belief that you are the author of your own life — that your choices matter, that you can influence what happens to you. And narcissistic abuse is specifically designed to dismantle it. Through gaslighting, control, and unpredictability, you're conditioned to stop trusting yourself, stop advocating for yourself, and stop believing you matter. But here's what the narcissist doesn't want you to know: you can take it back. And it starts smaller than you think. —— WHAT IS AGENCY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? Agency is the psychological sense that you are capable of making choices that impact your life. It's the foundation that everything else in healing sits on top of — boundaries, self-worth, even leaving. None of it works without this piece first. Narcissistic abuse erodes agency in layers: • Gaslighting teaches you not to trust your own perceptions • Control teaches you that your preferences don't matter • Unpredictability teaches you that nothing you do changes the outcome anyway The result? You feel frozen. Stuck. Anxious about even the smallest decisions. And somewhere deep down, you start to believe that YOU don't matter. This episode is my refusal to let that be the end of your story. —— 5 PRACTICAL STEPS TO REBUILD YOUR AGENCY TODAY 1️⃣ Stop over-explaining your decisions 2️⃣ Follow through on promises you make to yourself 3️⃣ Notice when you're asking for permission you don't need 4️⃣ Reconnect with your own preferences 5️⃣ Make decisions without polling everyone first —— KEY TAKEAWAYS • Agency — the belief that your choices matter — is the foundation of all healing • Narcissistic abuse dismantles agency slowly and deliberately, often without you realizing it • You rebuild agency through action, not just insight — one small decision at a time • Over-explaining, permission-seeking, and consensus-polling are all survival responses worth noticing • You don't have to feel ready to heal. You just have to start small. —— ABOUT ME I'm Chelsey Brooke Cole — a licensed psychotherapist specializing in complex trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery, author of If Only I'd Known, and host of Restoring Resilience. I combine over a decade of clinical experience with my own survivor story to help people heal and trust themselves again. —— Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

Do you second-guess yourself constantly — wondering if what happened to you even "counts" as abuse? In this episode, I'm sharing five statements I hear from survivors over and over again — phrases that immediately tell me someone has experienced relational trauma, even when they've never labeled it that way. These feel like random doubts, but they're not. They're patterns. And once you can see them clearly, everything starts to make sense. —— THE 5 STATEMENTS 1️⃣ "What did I do to deserve this?" This question exists because you're with someone who will never take accountability. In a healthy relationship, you wouldn't be asking it — because issues would actually get resolved. 2️⃣ "Is this even abuse?" That confusion isn't weakness — it's a symptom. Narcissistic abuse is designed to be hard to name. The doubt you're feeling is one of the first signs something is seriously wrong. 3️⃣ "But I wasn't perfect either." This isn't self-awareness. It's the result of DARVO — a manipulation tactic that flips the narrative so completely, you end up apologizing for their behavior and believing their abuse is your fault. 4️⃣ "Maybe if I'd just tried harder." The good moments in an abusive relationship aren't proof things are fine — they're part of the cycle. Abusers use kindness strategically to pull you back in just when you're starting to see clearly. 5️⃣ "No one will believe me." This feeling is proof of just how real what you've been through actually is. When a narcissist tells you "no one will believe you," they're admitting they know exactly what they're doing. —— IF THIS EPISODE HELPED YOU Please leave a review — it helps other survivors find this podcast when they need it most. And share this episode with someone who's been questioning their own reality. ABOUT CHELSEY Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in complex trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery. She is the author of If Only I'd Known and host of Restoring Resilience podcast. She combines over a decade of clinical experience with her own survivor story to help people heal and trust themselves again. Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

If you've ever escaped a narcissistic relationship only to find yourself in another one, this episode is for you. Not the "here are the red flags to watch for" version you've heard before — the real conversation. The one that goes all the way back to the emotional needs that didn't get met when you were young, and explains how those needs have been quietly choosing your partners ever since. I'm joined by Bree Bonchay, psychotherapist and founder of World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day, to get into why awareness alone doesn't break the cycle, what narcissistic individuals are actually picking up on from the very beginning, and what it actually takes to stop attracting the same relationship in a different person. If you're tired of starting over and ready to understand the pattern at the root, this episode is for you. ABOUT BREE Bree Bonchay is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, and leading voice in narcissistic abuse and toxic relationship patterns. She helps self-aware individuals who "know better" finally understand why they still choose the wrong partners, and how to break that cycle at the root. Bree is the founder of World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day and author of the upcoming book It's Not You, It's the Advice. ABOUT CHELSEY Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, bestselling author, and narcissistic abuse survivor turned specialist. She's the host of the Restoring Resilience podcast and creator of the Rewired for Resilience healing program, helping survivors all over the world reclaim their self-worth and learn to trust themselves after narcissistic abuse. Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

After narcissistic abuse, most of us are so focused on what we don't want that we never learned what a healthy relationship actually looks like. In this episode — Part 2 of my series on creating healthy relationships after narcissistic abuse — I'm giving you the practical roadmap. I'm walking you through 4 green flags that will tell you more about a person's character than any red flag checklist ever could. And if conflict has always felt like a warning sign to you, this episode is going to change the way you see it forever. In this episode, I cover: Why the absence of bad behavior doesn't automatically mean someone is healthy — and why this is how so many survivors end up in more than one narcissistic relationship How to tell whether conflict is revealing a communication issue in yourself — or a deeper character problem in them What accountability actually looks like in a healthy relationship (and the two extremes survivors tend to go to that make this hard to see clearly) How to know whether a difference in processing styles is normal and workable — or a one-sided dynamic that's just the narc relationship in a new disguise The single most important skill for identifying a healthy relationship: learning to tell the difference between your intuition and your anxiety I also share the distinction that changed everything for me: anxiety is about uncertainty — intuition is about incongruence. If you've ever wondered "Is this my gut or is this my trauma?" this episode will give you a clear, practical way to tell the difference. 🔗 Missed Part 1? Watch here: https://youtu.be/QokaeNuYrRg?si=K5ZEU6aGGdi_-OTd Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

After surviving narcissistic abuse, most of us do one of two things: obsess over red flags — or give up on love entirely. In this episode, I'm breaking down why neither of those approaches will lead you to a healthy relationship, and what you actually need to do instead. If you've survived narcissistic abuse, betrayal trauma, or gaslighting and you're wondering whether you can ever trust yourself — or another person — again, this episode is your starting point. I'm sharing my own story of marrying two narcissists (one grandiose, one covert) and the rock bottom moment that finally changed everything for me. I open up about self-blame, the shame I carried around divorce, and the real reason so many survivors end up repeating patterns — even when they're desperately trying not to. In this episode, you'll learn: Why red flag obsession keeps you stuck in hypervigilance (and doesn't actually protect you) How I missed a covert narcissist because I was only watching for grandiose narcissist traits The role of betrayal blindness in why you saw the signs but stayed anyway Why you have to believe healthy relationships exist — or you'll sabotage them when they show up The most important mindset shift for attracting and keeping a healthy relationship after narcissistic abuse How to stop abandoning yourself as the foundation for everything else This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on green flags in relationships. In the next episode, I'll cover the practical how-to: what to actually look for in a healthy relationship, and how to tell the difference between intuition and anxiety while dating again. Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

In this powerful episode, Chelsey sits down with renowned psychotherapist and bestselling author Ross Rosenberg to completely reframe what we think we know about codependency — and why the label itself may be doing more harm than good for narcissistic abuse survivors. Ross introduces his groundbreaking concept of Self Love Deficit Disorder (SLDD) — the deeper truth beneath codependency — and explains why calling yourself "codependent" could actually keep you stuck in toxic relationships longer. Key Takeaways: Why the traditional definition of codependency is outdated and harmful to abuse survivors What Self Love Deficit Disorder really is — and how to know if you have it The 3 codependent personality types: passive, active, and anorexic codependency The "broken picker" — why you unconsciously keep attracting narcissists "Am I the narcissist?" — how to tell the difference between SLDD and NPD Why traditional therapy often fails codependents and what actually works   Whether you're recovering from a narcissistic relationship, questioning your own patterns, or stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing, this episode is for you. ABOUT ROSS Ross Rosenberg is a psychotherapist, clinician, and bestselling author with over three decades of experience, beginning his career in 1988. He is the creator of the groundbreaking concept of Self Love Deficit Disorder (SLDD) — a reframing of codependency that places self-love, core shame, and pathological loneliness at the center of understanding toxic relationship patterns. Ross is the author of The Codependency Revolution and the founder of Self Love Recovery, where he helps individuals break free from narcissistic relationships and build lasting self-worth. He can be found at selfloverecovery.com Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ Website https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

In this episode of the Restoring Resilience Podcast, I sit down with Anne Wintemute, the co-founder and CEO of AimeeSays, to discuss a groundbreaking tool designed specifically for survivors of domestic and narcissistic abuse. Unlike standard AI models, AimeeSays is a trauma-informed system that understands the complexities of coercive control, gaslighting, and the systemic hurdles survivors face. In This Episode, We Discuss: 1 in 3 women experience domestic violence—far more common than most people realize. Why systems meant to help can misread trauma and re-traumatize survivors. How non–trauma-informed tools can give harmful advice in abusive dynamics. How trauma-informed AI can help survivors process, document, and be heard—without shutting down emotionally. Why "just leave" isn't that simple—and how survivors' attempts to reach out often go unseen   About the Guest: Anne Wintemute is the Co-Founder and CEO of Aimee Says, the AI assistant for victims and survivors of relationship abuse. She is a fierce champion for the rights of survivors and children, and systems that hold perpetrators accountable. Prior to working with survivors, Anne founded and directed an elementary school that became a model for micro schools across the United States. In her spare time, she enjoys urban homesteading with her family in Denver, Colorado. Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ 🌐 Website 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/

You saw the red flags. You felt like something was off. And part of you knew… but you stayed anyway. So many survivors of narcissistic abuse find themselves asking: "Why didn't I leave sooner?" "Why didn't I trust my gut?" In this episode, we're breaking down the psychology behind that question so you can finally understand why this happens—and start releasing the self-blame that comes with it. You'll learn about betrayal trauma, betrayal blindness, and the concept of betrayal violence—and how your brain may have been trying to protect you, not sabotage you. This is the episode that helps you shift from "What's wrong with me?" to "What was my brain trying to protect me from?"     Key Takeaways Why betrayal trauma is different from other types of trauma How your brain protects attachment—even at the cost of clarity What betrayal blindness is and why you didn't fully "see" what was happening The "psychological shelf" and why everything can hit all at once later What betrayal violence is—and how lack of information impacts your ability to fully consent Why confusion, minimization, and self-doubt are actually trauma responses How understanding this can help you rebuild self-trust     Resources & Next Steps If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: ✨ Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ ✨ Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program) Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/ 📖 Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free) 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ ✔️ Are They a Narcissist Checklist Review over 30 traits of narcissism and see how many they display plus what this means for you 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/che... 🌿 Get FREE Insights and Healing Tips 2x a Month (Newsletter) 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/new... 🌐 Website 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/ 

In this power-packed podcast episode of Restoring Resilience, join me as I sit down with Chris and Lisa, true experts in handling a high-conflict divorce and navigating the complexities of child custody cases. They offer invaluable insights for anyone divorcing a narcissist and strategies for overcoming parental alienation. This discussion is crucial for understanding the dynamics of narcissistic abuse within family law. Check out my Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook. https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ In this 60-minute on-demand masterclass, I'm taking you inside the narcissist's playbook to show you: √  the 3 lies every narcissist needs you to believe so they can stay in control √  the real reason your relationship isn't working (hint, it's not you) √  how narcissists continually entrap you in their crazy-making cycle √  what to do once you've seen through the narcissist's facade Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. #narcissist #parentalalienation #childcustody #narcissism #coparentingwithanarcissist

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why do I keep attracting narcissists?" If that question has been on your mind, this episode of Restoring Resilience with Chelsey Brooke Cole is going to give you a completely different answer than what you've probably been told. Because the truth is… You're not broken. You're not weak. And you're not the problem. In this episode, we break down: Why narcissists are drawn to certain personality traits The real reason you stay in toxic or abusive relationships How trauma bonds keep you emotionally stuck The role of gaslighting, manipulation, and coercive control Why empathy, trust, and compassion can be exploited How to stop repeating the same relationship patterns What it actually takes to build healthy, secure relationships Most people focus on the wrong question: "Why do I attract narcissists?" But the real breakthrough happens when you understand: why you stay… and how to change that. If you've ever felt confused, drained, or stuck in a relationship that doesn't make sense, this episode will help you finally see what's really happening—and how to break free.   If you're ready to go deeper into your healing from toxic relationships and narcissistic abuse, check out my free masterclass:  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/playbook/

In this powerful podcast episode of Restoring Resilience, Chelsey Brooke Cole sits down with Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae) — psychotherapist, trauma bond expert, and author of Run Like Hell — to break down the psychology behind trauma bonds, narcissistic abuse, and emotional attachment to toxic partners. Most people know Dr. Nae as the real-life inspiration behind The Wolf of Wall Street… But her real work goes far deeper. In this conversation, we unpack:  ✔ What a trauma bond actually is (and why it feels like love)  ✔ How narcissists and pathological partners target your strengths  ✔ The role of gaslighting, coercion, and power imbalance  ✔ Why your body knows before your mind does  ✔ The truth about betrayal blindness and cognitive dissonance  ✔ Why healthy love can feel "boring" after toxic relationships  ✔ How to safely begin breaking free and rebuilding your identity  If you've ever felt stuck, confused, or pulled back into a relationship you know isn't healthy… This episode will give you clarity.  Free Resources to Help You Break Free  👉 Watch Chelsey's free masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook http://chelseybrookecole.com/playbook  👉 Get the first chapter of Dr. Nae's book Run Like Hell (FREE): https://heal.drnae.com/podcast-book-giveaway  Connect with Dr. Nadine Macaluso Website: https://drnae.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/  🎙️ About This Podcast  Restoring Resilience is a podcast dedicated to helping you understand narcissistic abuse, trauma bonds, and emotional healing so you can reclaim your identity and rebuild your life.

In this episode of Restoring Resilience, Chelsey Brooke Cole breaks down why it's so hard to leave a toxic relationship with a narcissist. We cover: ✔ What a trauma bond actually is (and why it feels like addiction) ✔ How your nervous system keeps pulling you back ✔ The role of intermittent reinforcement (why the "good moments" keep you stuck) ✔ What euphoric recall is and how it distorts your memory ✔ The narcissistic cycle of abuse (idealize → devalue → discard → hoover) ✔ Why you feel stuck between "I can't stay" and "I can't leave" ✔ How narcissists keep you trapped in guilt, self-doubt, and confusion If you've felt frozen, anxious, ashamed, or emotionally pulled back into a relationship you know isn't healthy… this episode will give you clarity and validation. Because the truth is: Your difficulty leaving is not weakness — it's a sign of the trauma bond. Free Resource If you want to go deeper, watch Chelsey's free masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook 🔗  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ If this resonated with you, subscribe and share this with someone who needs it. You're not alone, and healing from narcissistic abuse is possible.

If you're co-parenting with a narcissist, you may eventually face one of the most painful challenges of narcissistic abuse: parental alienation. When a narcissistic parent feels a loss of control during divorce or separation, they often escalate their tactics. One of the most common strategies is turning the children against the other parent. In this episode of Restoring Resilience, therapist Chelsey Brooke Cole explains: • Why narcissists use children to regain control • How parental alienation begins • Why traditional communication strategies don't work with narcissists • How to respond to manipulation using the R&R communication approach • What to say when your child repeats lies they've heard from the narcissistic parent • How to support your child's emotional well-being without attacking the other parent You'll also learn three powerful strategies to help protect your relationship with your child: 1️⃣ Don't disparage the narcissistic parent — but don't minimize their behavior either 2️⃣ Validate your child's feelings instead of debating the facts 3️⃣ Use the "older placeholder" strategy for conversations that are too heavy for children Co-parenting with a narcissist can create guilt, confusion, and emotional exhaustion. But understanding how narcissists think and communicate can help you develop the clarity and strategy you need to protect both yourself and your children. Remember: one healthy parent can make a world of difference in a child's life. Free Training If you're ready to understand narcissistic manipulation patterns more deeply, watch Chelsey's free masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook Learn the psychological tactics narcissists use and how to protect your emotional world. 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook

In this episode of Restoring Resilience with Chelsey Brooke Cole, we explore the early psychological signs that you may be in a narcissistic or emotionally toxic relationship — especially when nothing looks obviously abusive on the surface. Often, the first red flag isn't their behavior. It's the change in you. Narcissistic abuse doesn't just hurt you in obvious ways. It slowly erodes your clarity, your identity, and your self-trust. You start asking: "Why can't I fix this?" "Why am I so sensitive?" "What's wrong with me?" But a more important question might be: Who am I becoming in this relationship? Are you more grounded or more confused? More empowered or more ashamed? More yourself, or less? Your body is constantly giving you feedback. Anxiety, confusion, hypervigilance, and numbness are not random. They are signals. If this episode resonated and you want a deeper understanding of narcissistic manipulation patterns, including how to stop personalizing their behavior and start protecting your emotional world, I invite you to explore my free masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook In it, I walk through common manipulation tactics, why narcissists behave the way they do, and practical strategies to help you disengage from toxic cycles. You can access it using the link below. https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/ Wherever you are in your healing journey, resilience can be restored. And we'll keep building it together. Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.   

There is a psychological reason narcissists stay close to their ex, and it's not about love, closure, or friendship. Narcissists are not motivated by connection, closure, or emotional honesty the way healthy people are. They are motivated by access. Access to your attention. Access to your emotional energy. Access to knowing they still matter to you. What looks like friendliness is often regulation. What looks like caring is often control. What looks like connection is often manipulation. If you've felt confused, guilty for setting boundaries, pulled back in emotionally, or destabilized by their contact, this episode will give you clarity. Your healing does not require you to stay accessible to someone who harmed you. If this resonated with you and you want to understand narcissistic manipulation patterns more deeply, I invite you to watch my free masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook In this training, I break down the most common tactics narcissists use, how to recognize them clearly, and how to protect your emotional world so you can finally break free from the trauma bond. You can watch it for free here: 👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook The more clearly you see the pattern, the less you personalize their behavior, and the stronger your self-trust becomes. Resilience can be restored. And we'll keep building it together. Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

In this episode of Restoring Resilience with Chelsey Brooke Cole, we unpack how vulnerable narcissists (often called covert narcissists) slowly and strategically create self-doubt over time, without explosive arguments or obvious rage. Unlike grandiose narcissists, vulnerable narcissists don't appear arrogant or dominant.  And that's exactly what makes the manipulation so confusing. If this episode helped you put language to what you've been feeling, the confusion, the guilt, the erosion of self-trust, I want to invite you deeper. 📘 In my book If Only I'd Known, I walk through six different types of narcissists, including the vulnerable type, and guide you step-by-step through healing from narcissistic abuse, breaking the trauma bond, and rebuilding self-trust. You can get the first chapter FREE:  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/ If you're untangling what was real and what wasn't, this resource was written for you. Resilience can be restored. And we'll keep building it together. Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Narcissistic abuse has a way of making you doubt your reality. Gaslighting, manipulation, and chronic unpredictability can leave your nervous system stuck in survival mode, replaying conversations, second-guessing yourself, and feeling disconnected from who you used to be. This podcast is a safe place to begin healing. I'm Chelsey Brooke Cole, licensed psychotherapist, certified partner trauma therapist, bestselling author, and narcissistic abuse survivor. In Restoring Resilience, we go beyond simply understanding narcissism. We focus on: Healing after narcissistic abuse Recovering from gaslighting and emotional manipulation Rebuilding self-trust and confidence Nervous system regulation and trauma recovery Boundaries that actually fit who you are Restoring resilience and reclaiming your identity This is not about toxic positivity or quick fixes. It's about honest healing. It's about rebuilding trust with yourself. It's about remembering that your life is bigger than what happened to you. If you're searching for support with narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma bonding, emotional abuse healing, or how to stop doubting yourself, you're in the right place. Subscribe and join us as we restore resilience, together. Explore recovery programs and resources here:  https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/