Healing After Narcissistic Abuse: My Story

Resources for Recovery

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

These resources can help you feel seen, name what happened, and begin to rebuild.

Books

• “It’s Not You” by Ramani Durvasula – A guide for those in toxic relationships, focusing on recognizing narcissistic patterns,setting boundaries, and healing from abuse, emphasizing that the problem lies with the narcissist, not the victim.
• “Healing from Hidden Abuse“ by Shannon Thomas – A guide for survivors of psychological abuse, outlining six stages of recovery: despair, education, awakening, boundaries, restoration, and maintenance: based on the author’s clinical experience with narcissistic abuse.
• “Whole Again” by Jackson MacKenzie – A self-help book that guides readers on healing from the trauma from toxic relationshipsand emotional abuse, moving beyond survival to rediscover their true selves.
• “The Body Keeps the Score“ by Bessel van der Kolk – The definitive guide on how trauma is physically stored in the body and brain, providing a foundation for all somatic recovery.
• “Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving” by Pete Walker – Offers critical strategies for managing emotional flashbacks and regulating the nervous system after relational trauma.

Podcasts –Podcasts offer a profound lifeline for surviving and healing from narcissistic abuse. These audio resources provide education on covert manipulation, break down the science of trauma, and offer actionable steps to help you rec laim your reality and build your self-worth.

• The Narcissistic Abuse and Trauma Recovery Podcast by Caroline Strawson – Caroline Strawson is a trauma-informed therapist, somatic practitioner, and best-selling author specializing in healing from narcissistic and domestic abuse. Using a brain-body approach, she helps clients—particularly women—move from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth.
• Dr. Ramani – licensed clinical psychologist, author and media expert renowned globally as a leading authority on narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic abuse. She helps individuals identify toxic behaviors, establish boundaries, and heal from trauma bonds
• Betrayal Trauma Recovery with Anne Blythe, M.Ed.– a nationally recognized expert on betrayal trauma and its causes: emotional and psychological abuse and sexual coercion in marriage. When marriage feels confusing, she helps women see the truth about their situation, recognize harm, and respond with strategy and strength.

Healing Modalities focusing on the Body & Brain

• Search the Thriveworks Counselor Finder to find local or telehealth trauma-informed therapists specializing in Somatic Experiencing and EMDR.
• Somatic Experiencing (SE): A body-oriented therapy that helps you safely process and release the physiological tension associated with past abuse without becoming re-traumatized.
• Polyvagal Exercises: Techniques specifically designed to help shift your nervous system out of “fight or flight” and into the ventral vagal state (a state of safety and social engagement)
• Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY): Focuses on interoception—reconnecting with your body’s physical sensations and regaining a sense of autonomy and bodily control

YouTube Channels and Videos

• Dr. Ramani – source of guidance about healing from narcissistic relationships.
• Lisa A. Romano, Breakthrough Life Coach, Inc. – A look at Codependency, a learned survival response, that, as a child, kept you safe. Learn how to gently update these patterns that no longer serve you.
• MedCircle – Must join to access a library of video series featuring highly acclaimed doctors and patient heroes.

Groups

• Look for local trauma-informed support groups
• Look for local Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse organizations