Therapy for Narcissism
Do You Suspect Someone Close To You Is A Narcissist?
Have you been gaslighted by someone close to you? Are you suffering from the effects of narcissistic abuse, including anxiety, depression, and shame? Do you feel trapped by self-doubt and the lingering effects of manipulation?
If you suspect that someone close to you—your partner, a family member, close friend, or work colleague—is a narcissist, you may be struggling to cope with the aftermath of their emotional abuse. Perhaps you feel the effects of how this person has manipulated you, leaving you lost and confused.
You may find that you have to walk on eggshells or seek constant reassurance and validation from them. As you continue to second-guess yourself, you might begin to doubt your reality or question your self-worth.
You Might Feel Like Your Life’s Been Turned Upside Down
As a result of narcissistic abuse, perhaps you’ve become isolated, withdrawn, or mistrustful of others. You may fear intimacy or struggle with setting boundaries and navigating conflict. It may be difficult to concentrate or make decisions due to constant self-doubt or fear of making mistakes.
Anxiety and stress might not only cause physical symptoms, like fatigue or tension but could also make it harder to stay productive at work or enjoy personal activities. When left unchecked, these challenges could hinder your ability to trust yourself and engage meaningfully with others, leading to loneliness and further isolation.
Whether or not you have severed the narcissistic relationship, you may be seeking clarity and empowerment from a professional who can work with you to process and heal from your experience. Fortunately, therapy can help you rebuild confidence, heal emotionally, and reclaim your identity and voice after suffering narcissistic abuse.
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The Hallmarks Of A Narcissistic Relationship
Narcissism is characterized by an excessive focus on oneself, including an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Entering a relationship with someone who has narcissistic traits can lead to unhealthy dynamics such as:
Idealization and Devaluation -The relationship may start with intense admiration (idealization) that quickly shifts to harsh criticism or neglect (devaluation) as the narcissist loses interest.
Manipulation – Narcissists may use manipulation tactics to control their partner's behavior or choices, sowing doubt and eroding their confidence.
Gaslighting - a psychological manipulation tactic where the narcissist causes their partner to doubt their own perceptions, memories, or feelings. This is often done through denial, misdirection, or misinformation, making the victim feel confused or insecure about their reality.
Constant Criticism – By frequently belittling or criticizing their partners, narcissists erode their self-esteem and can create a power imbalance.
Isolation - A narcissist may try to isolate their partner from friends and family, creating dependency and control.
External factors, such as rigid family systems and high-pressure work cultures, can normalize manipulation, enabling abusive behaviors to go unnoticed or unchallenged. What’s more, the stigma around seeking help or discussing emotional abuse often leaves victims feeling isolated or ashamed, preventing them from recognizing or addressing the harm they’ve endured.
Why It’s Important To Seek Help
Victims of emotional abuse often tend to focus on treating their secondary symptoms, like anxiety or depression, rather than address the abuse's root causes. However, to heal, it’s important to receive external validation and dedicate adequate time to coming to terms with the manipulation you have experienced.
Without the benefit of counseling, the impact of narcissistic abuse can linger and affect future relationships. If you suspect you are the victim of narcissistic abuse, therapy can help you make sense of what happened and forge a positive direction forward.
Therapy For Narcissistic Abuse Offers Hope For Recovery
If you have been the victim of narcissistic abuse, you may feel stuck and overwhelmed. It might seem like your identity has been stripped away from you and you need to find a path back to yourself. At The Union Therapy Group, we offer a safe, comfortable, and collaborative space to validate your experience and start the healing process. With compassion and expertise, your therapist will help you understand the nature of narcissistic abuse while offering a comprehensive plan for recovery.
What To Expect In Sessions
In ongoing sessions, your therapist will help you explore the root causes of your struggles, starting with the narcissistic abuse you’ve endured and how it has impacted your emotional and relational patterns. We will identify symptoms like anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional numbness and examine how these are connected to past trauma. Your therapist will help you reconnect with your authentic self, uncover limiting beliefs, and rebuild self-worth. Together, we will set long-term goals focused on emotional healing, boundary-setting, and trust-building.
Throughout therapy, you will learn practical tools to manage your emotions, practice assertiveness, process trauma, and reclaim control over your life. We will focus on reimagining relationships and creating new empowering narratives. Although you might not be able to change someone who has narcissistic traits, you can empower yourself to avoid future emotional abuse.
The Modalities We Incorporate Into Therapy
Narcissistic abuse recovery incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through somatic therapy practices, such as breathwork, you will learn how to recognize and release trauma held in the body.
We also teach practical techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, grounding exercises, and guided imagery to help you stay present and regulate intense emotions. Learning tools that aid in processing trauma will help you regain a sense of agency in your relationships. You will be empowered to apply these skills daily, improving emotional resilience and restoring balance. You will leave sessions with tangible skills to reclaim control over your life.
As counselors specializing in narcissistic abuse, we understand the pain and confusion you have experienced. However, with support, healing is possible. By processing the trauma and learning new tools for emotional regulation, you’ll feel more confident, empowered, and in control of your life. You deserve to feel peace, trust your instincts, and experience fulfilling, healthy relationships. We are here to guide you.
But Maybe You’re Not Sure If Therapy For Narcissistic Abuse Is Right For You…
I worry I will feel judged in therapy.
If you have grown accustomed to having your thoughts and feelings scrutinized, understandably you may fear judgment in therapy. However, as therapists who specialize in narcissistic abuse, we ensure that counseling is a safe, non-judgmental space where you will be heard and validated. Having an objective platform where you can express yourself without fear of being questioned is an essential part of the healing process and will aid in understanding the toxic patterns of narcissism.
How long does healing from narcissistic abuse usually take?
The healing process is unique to each person, but with consistent therapy, you'll start to see improvements in emotional regulation, confidence, and boundary setting in a few weeks to months. It's a journey, and while healing takes time, you'll gain valuable tools to feel better faster. The important thing is that you’re taking the first step toward recovery from narcissistic abuse, and with support, lasting change is possible.
Is recovery from narcissistic abuse possible?
At The Union Therapy Group, we understand the unique challenges of narcissistic abuse and provide a compassionate, empathetic environment to help you heal and move forward. Therapy can help you process your trauma, rebuild your sense of self-worth, and develop the tools to create healthier boundaries. Using proven approaches like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and somatic therapy, you can reclaim your confidence and emotional balance.
If You Have Suffered Narcissistic Abuse, We Can Help
With support, you can turn a new page and recover from the emotional pain you have endured. To find out more about in-person or online counseling for narcissistic abuse with the Union Therapy Group, please call or text 914-274-4811 or visit our contact page.
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