Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

"My abusive partner refuses to leave or get help—and I'm trapped in a 'silent divorce.' What are my actual options?" 
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener navigating an impossible situation: a long marriage, adult children, religious pressure against divorce, and an abusive partner who wants to maintain the status quo without doing any of the work to change. 
In this episode, Dr. Kerry untangles the confusion between church annulment and legal separation, explains why staying together without changing is still a form of abuse. 
Submit Your Question 
If you'd like your question addressed on air, send it here: 👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail
Follow on Apple
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Dr Kerry’s Resources
ReclaimYou: AI-powered coaching app built on Dr. Kerry’s experience.
The Complete Recovery Collection: Educational resources for narcissistic abuse healing
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
The Toxic-Free Relationship Club: coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Resources
ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app
The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.
This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

Lost empathy for yourself? You've already lost the fight. 
This week, Tammy Triolo reveals the shocking connection between self-empathy loss and narcissistic abuse. 
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT 
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. 
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 
🔹 Tammy walks you through recognizing when thoughts are just thoughts—not truth—and how to stop surrendering to negative beliefs. 
👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview
TAMMY'S BOOKS 
• The Empathy Gap: It Is Black and White 
• Workbook
MORE ABOUT TAMMY TRIOLO 
Tammy Triolo is a cultural strategist, author, and creator of the Empathy Scorecard. As founder of PCQ Consulting, she works with companies to improve culture and develop sustainable DEI initiatives. 
• Website: tammytriolo.com 
• Social: @tammytriolo on TikTok and Instagram 
• Podcast: The Empathy Lab (Substack)
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Resources
ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app
The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.
This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

“My doctor keeps telling me it's all in my head—but I know something's wrong. Why won't they listen?" 
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: "Dear Kerry, could you do a podcast on the topic of narcissism, psychopathy and healthcare?…” 
In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down why healthcare settings attract people who crave power and control, how the doctor-patient dynamic creates dangerous vulnerability, and why women are especially at risk of medical dismissal. 
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Follow on Apple
Follow on Spotify
Dr Kerry’s Resources
ReclaimYou: AI-powered coaching app built on Dr. Kerry’s experience.
The Complete Recovery Collection: Educational resources for narcissistic abuse healing
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
The Toxic-Free Relationship Club: coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Resources
ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app
The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.
This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

Ever wonder why you didn't see it coming? 
This week, Don Hennessy joins Dr. Kerry to expose the hidden playbook male predators use to infiltrate your mind—without you knowing it happened. We unpack the shocking truth about what predators are actually really after. 
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT 
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW  
🔹 Hennessy breaks down the grooming steps you never saw coming. 
Don reveal why 75% of people think "it couldn't happen to me.”
👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview
HENNESSY’S BOOKS 
How He Gets Into Her Head
Steps to Freedom: Escaping Intimate Control
How He Wins: Abusive Intimate Partners Going Free
MORE ABOUT DON HENNESSY 
Don Hennessy is an Irish psychotherapist and author who spent decades working directly with abusive men and their partners. He’s at work writing his fourth book. 
Follow on Apple
Follow on Spotify
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Resources
ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app
The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.
This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

Does Narcissism Come and Go? What "Good Periods" With a Narcissist Really Mean 
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Dubai who writes: "Can narcissism in a person wax and wane? There's been years when my husband was acting like a narcissist, and then there's also been chunks of years where he's been incredibly supportive and uplifting. Can a narcissist change depending on their current situation?" 
In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why narcissistic behavior can absolutely shift between good and bad periods and what those changes really means.
Submit Your Question 
If you'd like your question addressed on air, send it here: 
👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail__
Follow on Apple
Follow on Spotify
Submit your question to be answered on air here!
Resources
ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app
The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
Follow Dr. Kerry!
Youtube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.
This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.