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NARCISSISTIC ABUSE RECOVERY

-Experiencing confusion or “brain fog"?

-No longer feel like the person you used to be?

-Noticing feelings of anxiety & depression?

-Having difficulty making decisions?

-Feel like you are always walking on eggshells?

-Lonely or feeling isolated from others?

-Experiencing unexplained physical symptoms?

-Feeling like you've lost your self-identity?

If you are struggling to recover from an emotionally abusive or toxic relationship, we can help. Even though emotional abuse doesn’t leave you with physical wounds, it can still cause significant damage. Living through emotional abuse can lead to trauma, impacting both your mental and physical well-being. Healing after emotional abuse can take time, but it is possible to recover from the emotional wounds that abuse has caused, along with the help of a therapist. 

Picture of woman with her head in her hands from narcissistic or emotional abuse

At McNamara Counseling, we recognize the complexities of narcissistic abuse and offer specialized recovery services tailored to your healing journey. We specialize in narcissistic abuse recovery, providing compassionate support and evidence-based strategies to help you heal, regain confidence, and rebuild your life.

What Is Narcissistic Abuse?

Narcissistic abuse is a deeply damaging form of emotional abuse & psychological manipulation often inflicted by individuals with narcissistic personality traits. Narcissistic abusers can possibly be a spouse, significant other, sibling, parent or step-parent, in-law or even a close friend. Narciabuse can leave victims often experiencing confusion, anxiety, and trauma symptoms due to the cycle of idealization, devaluation, and discard

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The Different Types of Narcissistic Abuse

The different types of narcissistic abuse are::

1. Emotional abuse: This can involve anything from constant criticism to controlling behavior, and it can be very damaging to a person’s self-esteem.

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2. Mental abuse: This can include gaslighting, which is a form of psychological manipulation that causes victims to doubt their memories and perceptions.

 

3. Physical abuse: This can range from minor forms of violence, such as hair-pulling and slapping, to more serious forms, such as choking and hitting.

 

4. Sexual abuse: This can involve forced or unwanted sex, as well as sexualized verbal abuse, such as making demeaning comments about a person’s body or sexual prowess.

 

5. Financial abuse: This can involve anything from controlling a person’s finances to outright theft.

Effects of Narcissistic Abuse

Narcissistic abuse can have profound psychological, emotional, and even physical effects on victims. The effects can vary depending on how long one can endure these types of relationships & range from mild to severe, with some survivors recovering while others may sustain lifelong damage. Some of the effects may include the following:

Some effects from narcissistic abuse may include the following:

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:

  • Low self-esteem

  • Self-doubt and second-guessing oneself

  • Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety, panic attacks)

  • Depression

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

  • Hypervigilance (always feeling on edge)

  • Cognitive dissonance (confusion from contradictory messages)

  • Stockholm syndrome (emotional attachment to the abuser)

  • Rumination (obsessive thoughts about the abuse)

  • Learned helplessness (feeling powerless to change the situation)

EMOTIONAL
EFFECTS:

  • Chronic guilt and shame

  • Emotional numbness or detachment

  • Fear of abandonment or rejection

  • Overwhelming sadness or despair

  • Unexplained anger or irritability

  • Difficulty regulating emotions

  • Feeling unworthy of love and kindness

  • Persistent loneliness, even around others

  • Fear of making mistakes (perfectionism)

  • Loss of identity and personal goals

BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS:

  • People-pleasing tendencies

  • Isolation from family and friends

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Avoidance of confrontation at all costs

  • Over-apologizing, even when not at fault

  • Self-sabotaging behavior

  • Trouble setting and enforcing boundaries

  • Staying in toxic relationships due to a skewed sense of normalcy

  • Hyper-independence (avoiding relying on others)

  • Difficulty trusting others

COGNITIVE EFFECTS:

  • Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

  • Memory problems

  • Difficulty processing or articulating thoughts

  • Overanalyzing social interactions

  • Feeling like you’re “walking on eggshells”

  • Intrusive negative thoughts about oneself

  • Impaired problem-solving skills

  • Feeling like reality is distorted (gaslighting effects)

  • Constant need for validation from others

  • Fear of making personal choices

PHYSICAL EFFECTS:

  • Chronic fatigue or exhaustion

  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares)

  • Increased susceptibility to illness (weakened immune system)

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Unexplained body aches and pains

  • Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., IBS, nausea)

  • Fluctuations in weight due to stress eating or appetite loss

  • Increased heart rate or panic symptoms

  • Substance abuse or addiction as a coping mechanism

  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts (in severe cases)

Blue Water

Our Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Services

Healing is possible with therapy, self-care, and support from healthy relationships. We provide a range of therapeutic options to help you overcome the effects of narcissistic abuse:

  1. Individual Therapy- One-on-one counseling sessions with an experienced therapist to help you process trauma, establish boundaries, and rebuild self-esteem.

  2. Support Groups- Join a community of survivors in a safe, judgment-free space to share experiences, gain insight, and receive emotional support.

  3. Trauma-Informed Counseling- Our therapists use evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness strategies to support your healing process.

  4. Boundary-Setting and Assertiveness Training- Learn how to set healthy boundaries, recognize red flags, and regain control over your personal relationships and well-being.

  5. Self-Empowerment Coaching- Build resilience and confidence through guided self-exploration, self-care techniques, and personal development strategies.

Want to learn about the different types of narcissists? Click Here!

Why Choose McNamara Counseling?

Icon describing Marisa McNamara's specified expertise with narcissistci abuse recovery

Specialized
Expertise 

Marisa McNamara has extensive experience working with survivors of narcissistic abuse.

Icon describing Marisa McNamara's Compassionate approach to helping clients with narcissistic abuse symptoms

Compassionate 
Approach

We prioritize your emotional safety and healing at every step.

Icon describing Marisa McNamara's holistic approach to helping clients with narcissistic abuse

Holistic 
Healing

Our integrated therapy techniques address emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

Icon describing Marisa McNamara's confidential and safe envioronment when helping clients with narcissistic and emotional abuse

Confidential & Safe Environment

Your privacy and comfort are our top priorities.

Start Your Healing Journey Today!

A woman in flowers feeling free from narcissistic abuse

You don’t have to go through this alone. McNamara Counseling is here to provide the support and guidance you need to break free from the effects of narcissistic abuse and reclaim your life.

Schedule a confidential consultation today!

​© 2020 by McNamara Counseling

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