Not all abusers are narcissists, and not all narcissists are equally abusive. Key points Source: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels With so much being written these days about narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and narcissistic abuse, I have noticed a disturbing tendency for some uninformed people to label anyone who hurts them a “narcissist.” The unfortunate corollary is that some…
The tragic events involving Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie have given us a lot to learn. Julie Cantrell Written on Sep 21, 2021Youtube/Instagram Advertisement As an author and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, I’ve learned a lot about the predictable patterns of unhealthy relationships. After years of personal experiences, research, and outreach, I’ve learned…
Learn to recognize the textbook patterns of narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths to protect yourself and those you love from being abused Julie Cantrell 8 min read · Master manipulators act in patterned and predictable steps. Through their twisted lens, the world is their chessboard and people are pawns to be used and abused. If we…
Many icks, on reflection, are just harmless “nicks.” THE BASIC Source: Photo by Polina Zimmerman / Pexels The ick is giving me the ick. In a world of trending dating terminology, “the ick” has proven surprisingly enduring. Headlines like “Three Ways to Combat the Ick” or “Got the Ick?” continue to flood social media. On TikTok, there are…
In mental health, how we present ourselves professionally makes a big difference. Whether you’re introducing yourself to clients, writing for the public, or collaborating with peers, the credentials that follow your name matter. But with so many abbreviations — PhD, PsyD, LP, LCP and more — it’s easy to feel lost in a sea of…
No one is exempt from narcissistic projection, not even their children. It often comes as a shock to people who have children with pathological narcissists how easily some of them abandon their children. Many narcissistic parents have an emotionally immature worldview. They see the world in terms of “good” or “bad”, “black” and “white”, “wrong”…
Unfaithful partners who don’t feel guilt don’t behave differently. Many cheating spouses express high levels of marital satisfaction. Physical absence is a more reliable indicator of infidelity than affection or emotion. Source: Image by Надин Ш from Pixabay I have previously written about spotting red flags of infidelity,[i] whether it “just happens,”[ii] and whether infidelity is satisfying for the straying partner.[iii] One…
Domestic violence hotlines in America receive an average of more than 20,000 phone calls each day. Now, with COVID-19 adding extra stressors to family systems, many cities have reported an increase in domestic violence incidents. How to help a loved one who is being abused Abuse crosses into all segments of society, with victims of every age,…
How responding to partner stress impacts romantic relationships. Key points Source: Image by Kiều Trường from Pixabay Some couples are uniquely in tune with each other’s stress. Able to read each other like a mood ring, they are well-equipped to respond to negative emotion in a positive way—whether that’s offering affirmation, validation, or unconditional love. Research reveals the…