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Effective Treatments for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Effective Treatments for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Andy Levesque

Introduction

If you’ve experienced narcissistic abuse and are looking to move on with your life, healing is possible. Many survivors of this type of abuse walk away with lasting trauma, and might find themselves dealing with challenges like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety or even C-PTSD. With professional therapy, the right therapeutic treatment and self-care, you can finally begin to move through this and find yourself again.

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Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Its Impact


Narcissistic abuse can be tricky. It’s not the kind that’s obvious or in your face, in fact, often people don’t even realize they’re being abused or that their partner, friend or family member is a narcissist. This type of abuse isn’t physical, but emotional and psychological. Individuals with narcissistic traits, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) use psychological tactics like gaslighting, emotional blackmail, isolation and constant criticism of the people around them, due to their own need for attention, admiration and validation. This tends to cause immense feelings of self-doubt, confusion, worthlessness and sometimes physical symptoms like stress or fatigue.

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Importance of Seeking Professional Help

After experiencing abuse, it can be difficult to know where to start. You might be wondering if healing is even possible after what you’ve been through, but let me tell you – it is. Working with a professional, such as a therapist, can help you immensely to rebuild your self worth, overcome your trauma and develop healthy coping skills. Sometimes we need help to understand and challenge patterns of abuse, or break trauma bonds. You might consider seeing a therapist that specializes in either narcissism or trauma (or both). Whatever path you choose, there are various methods to help you recover that you might consider.

Effective Therapeutic Approaches for Recovery

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • CBT is all about regaining healthier perspectives and as a result, healthier reactions. CBT seeks to reframe your thought patterns, which can be essential after narcissistic abuse, 
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
    • EMDR is a trauma focused therapy that aims to reduce the emotional intensity of past traumatic events, allowing you to move forward without being controlled by the trauma. This treatment involves moving your eyes while processing your traumatic memories.
  • Trauma-Informed Therapy
    • Trauma-informed therapy centers around creating a safe and supportive environment. In Trauma-informed therapy, the clinician approaches your care with the awareness and understanding that you have a trauma history and will approach your care with this in mind.
  • Support Groups and Peer Support
    • Support groups like Circles are spaces that allow you to share your story while being supported through the healing process. A sense of understanding and community will be crucial during your healing, as narcissistic abuse typically causes feelings of isolation and confusion. 

How to Find a Therapist Specializing in Narcissistic Abuse

If you can, I suggest looking for a professional with experience and experience in trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery. Typically, a therapist will include their specialities in their info. There are many search directories like Psychology Today that are great resources for finding a therapist in your area. You can even filter your search to find therapists with certain specialities, like NPD. Consider therapists who use evidence-based approaches like CBT, EMDR, or trauma-focused modalities, which will offer a more aggressive approach to treatment beyond talk therapy. 

Self-Care Strategies to Complement Treatment

Self-care should be your “best friend” during recovery. You’ve spent long enough putting your own needs and desires on hold, and you’re likely depleted, burned out, and in desperate need of some self-care. This will look different for everyone, but be sure to prioritize time for yourself to do things you enjoy, take a break and relax. Self-care can also mean engaging in activities that are good for the mind and body, like meditation, journaling, or physical activity like exercise. 

Above all, you may need to set healthy boundaries in order to prioritize yourself again. This means saying no to things that don’t feel good to you, and making space for things that do.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can medication help with the emotional symptoms caused by narcissistic abuse?
    • Medication, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety prescriptions, can be helpful for some people in managing symptoms such as depression or panic attacks. It is often used alongside therapy for best results. Consult with your psychiatrist or doctor about if medication is a fit for you.
  • How can I tell if my treatment is working for narcissistic abuse recovery?
    • First things first – progress looks different for everyone. No two people are on the same timeline, so try not to compare yourself to how others are doing. Healing is a journey, and it can take time. Try to pay attention to the areas that you’re working on and congratulate yourself on small steps, like feeling less triggered by past events, regaining confidence, or developing healthier relationships. Remember, one step at a time!
  • Are there specialized treatment centers for narcissistic abuse survivors?
    • Some centers focus on trauma recovery and offer programs specifically designed for victims of emotional abuse, including narcissistic abuse.
  • What should I expect during the initial sessions of treatment for narcissistic abuse?
    • Initially, a counselor will likely spend time understanding your experiences, identifying the impact of the abuse, and creating a safe space for healing.

Exploring the Role of Trauma Bonds in Narcissistic Relationships

If you’re asking yourself why it is, or was so hard to leave, it may be because of the trauma bond. Trauma bonds are formed from the cycle of abuse, which can look like negative reinforcement (gaslighting, manipulation, shaming, etc.), followed by occasional moments of positive reinforcement (i.e. love bombing) (Psychology Today). This is a never-ending pattern that has the victim craving the good moments, and forming an unhealthy connection (or attachment) to the narcissists. 

Understanding the Cycle of Narcissistic Abuse

There’s a reason many victims of narcissistic abuse feel like they’re going crazy – they are stuck in a cycle, finding themselves doing the same things over and over again, despite not wanting to. This is the narcissistic abuse cycle. The pattern looks like this:

Idealization stage – Everything seems great. This may include love-bombing.

Devaluation stage – Over time, the blissful love-bombing stops, and is replaced with criticism and emotional abuse.

Repetition stage – You may try hard to make things better, or pull away. Either way, the cycle will begin again, pulling you back into the idealization stage.

Discard stage Finally, the discard stage. Either you or the narcissist will decide to leave. If it’s the narcissist, they’ve decided they no longer have a use for you and will leave you swiftly behind. If it’s you, the narcissist will not take it well, and will likely lash out. Either way, they will eventually come back and try to lure you back in with love-bombing, starting the cycle all over again.

Recognizing Subtle Signs of Emotional Manipulation

When you start to see the signs of the manipulation it becomes much easier to distance yourself. Anytime the narcissist tries to tear you down or undermine your confidence, gaslight you, place blame on you, guilt-trip you and refuse any accountability, you can learn to see it for what it is—a control tactic, rather than the truth. No, you’re probably not to blame for everything. Yes, you do deserve love and attention. No, it’s not your fault your partner is treating you badly. Beginning to identify the signs and the manipulation behind them is your key to getting out.

Meet Circles: Your Partner in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Circles is an emotional support group made for people just like you. Members provide a safe space for each other to navigate challenging relationships like narcissism while offering a place to grow. Much healing can be done together with a space space and a listening ear.

Conclusion

Recovering from narcissistic abuse is not an overnight process, but it is absolutely achievable with the right tools and support. Therapy, self-care, and strong support networks play a vital role in helping survivors rebuild their confidence, set boundaries, and regain control over their lives. While the journey can feel overwhelming at times, every step you take—no matter how small—is progress. Remember, healing isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding peace and reclaiming your sense of self. You are not alone in this, and with time, patience, and the right resources, you can move forward toward a brighter, healthier future.

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By signing up, you agree to receive marketing messages to the email provided. Click “unsubscribe” on an email to unsubscribe. View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.