Practice breaking contact with toxic parents in this “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style story. Based on events experienced by the child of a Narcissist Parent. Section 1 After a lifetime of Narcissistic abuse, you’ve decided to draw a healthy boundary by going “No Contact” with your parents. It feels anything but healthy. The…

Narcissistic abuse isn’t fun, but practicing setting boundaries can be, in this “Choose Your Own Adventure”- style original story. Based on events experienced by the scapegoat of a narcissistic parent. Section 1 1 It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon. You relax in your comfiest chair, cradling your favorite book. A cool, calming breeze…

What should be a simple task triggers a week of dissociation and deep grief. The Catalyst: Thursday Night Homework Therapy Assignment: Read one chapter of Pete Walker’s “Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving.” My worn, paperback copy is heavy in my hand. Ah, the familiar panic… Read?! How am I supposed to read?! One word…

Visit sites like LinkedIn or Indeed and the job market appears flush with opportunity. Job listings as far as the hand can scroll. Remote? Hybrid? In-person? The choice is yours, but when you click “apply” are you actually applying for a position, or walking into a marketing scheme? Company-specific questions…

In August of 2021 I began EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy to deal with childhood trauma. With 15 years of talk therapy under my belt, I’d just finished a month of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at a mental health facility. …

Complex PTSD, a sleepless night and my final day visiting my hometown after the death of my Narcissist, sex offender father. (Read Parts 1–6 here) — Turmoil Tornado After several days of brunch, home improvements, honesty and ice cream, my Mom, sister and I settle onto the gray, L-shaped couch to watch TV. It’s our final night together. I’ve gone from traumatizing plane ride to masking my emotions to… whatever this cold, sweaty, anxious feeling is. …

Conflict and conversation dominate as my Mom, sister and I process the death of my Narcissist, sex offender father. Read Parts 1–5 here. Rules We all have rules. My sister needs coffee in the morning. I need space when I’m having a flashback. My Mom needs to say no 4 (or…

A drive by my childhood home stirs up a mix of emotions while visiting with my Mom and sister in my hometown after my Narcissist, sex offender father’s death. (Read Parts 1–4 here.) Growing up 20 minutes from Philadelphia was fun. We’d take the subway to Phillies games and visit…

Objects spark complicated memories as my Mom, sister and I come together in my hometown after the death of my Narcissist, sex offender father. (Read Parts 1–3 here) Objects of My Affection In an “Object Theatre” class I once took, the instructor referred to objects as “charged” when they become something more than just…