Blogs, Articles & Long Reads

DISCLAIMER: Narcissists are not all male. Using male pronouns to reference the narcissist and female pronouns to reference the victim-survivor is not an indication of the clinical data on gender in narcissism, but rather an editorial choice. This blog is written for female survivors of male perpetrators.

WhatHappenedToYou, MindfulnessHealing Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia WhatHappenedToYou, MindfulnessHealing Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

A Mindful Approach to Recovery Maintenance

We have grown past the necessary self-focused stage of trauma recovery and are looking outwards again, noticing things we previously took for granted. We might experience horror, aversion or renewed despair when we see the world as it really is, now that our bubbles have burst.

Read More
Recovery, PsychoEducation Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia Recovery, PsychoEducation Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

CBT for Later Stage Recovery

Trauma feeds the tendency towards distorted thinking leading to emotional disregulation. The antidote is in mindful awareness (being able to notice our thoughts and tolerate our emotions) and choosing self-compassion and the Middle Way (from Buddhist Psychology) instead.

Read More
Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Disenfranchised Grief

Break ups from narcissists and psychopaths induce a unique form of grief - disenfranchised grief. This is why.

Read More
Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Callous Disregard

There is nothing wrong with you! Expecting empathy from your intimate partner is reasonable! A profound lack of empathy slowly reveals itself over time.

Read More
Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

3 Ways a Narcopath Uses People

People, to a narcopath, are highly disposable. Once a person has fulfilled their useful purpose as cover, supply or enabler they are discarded.

Read More
PsychoEducation, Recovery Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia PsychoEducation, Recovery Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Education & Awakening

Education. Serious and painful study. Coming to terms with the fact of Dark Triad humans. Caution. This stage can take a long time (years), and be extremely triggering, running parallel to phases to come. Tread carefully.

Read More
MindfulnessHealing, PsychoEducation, WhatHappenedToYou Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia MindfulnessHealing, PsychoEducation, WhatHappenedToYou Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Shame

Peeling the layers of the onion after a relationship with a narcissistic sociopath keeps you crying until the very last layer has been peeled away. It's the maze of smoke and mirrors he has employed over an extended period of time to wrongly convict you that sinks you. The pain of the shame snare is perhaps greater than the original loss.

Read More
PsychoEducation, WhatHappenedToYou, NarcissisticSociopath Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia PsychoEducation, WhatHappenedToYou, NarcissisticSociopath Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Betrayal Trauma

Betrayal trauma is one of the most severe forms of psychological trauma that a human can undergo, yet it is un-acknowledged in our culture (aside from childhood betrayal). This lack of recognition can lead to those betrayed having their trauma minimised and demeaned, thus leading to secondary trauma. Betrayal is a wound to the soul: a deep moral injury.

Read More
Recovery Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia Recovery Margot MacCallum, Narcissistic Abuse Counsellor Australia

Stage 1 of Recovery

Traditionally, there are thought to be three stages to trauma recovery across the spectrum of survivors of rape, domestic abuse, torture, and combat. The first stage is restoration of safety. The second stage is remembrance and mourning. The third stage is reconnection with ordinary life.

Read More

 What Do You Most Want to Read About?