Kerry McAvoy, PhD

Kerry McAvoy, PhD Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Advocate

->Join me LIVE Tuesdays @ 4:00 PM CT

This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy or medical advice

12/05/2025

Chronic gaslighting doesn’t just confuse you—it rewires your nervous system, erodes your sense of self, and keeps you trapped in hypervigilance. Here’s what was really happening to me.

Join me live every Tuesday at 4pm CT for more education on relationship dynamics and abuse.

Healing after narcissistic abuse doesn’t follow a straight line — and if you’re feeling stuck, quiet, or unsure of yours...
12/05/2025

Healing after narcissistic abuse doesn’t follow a straight line — and if you’re feeling stuck, quiet, or unsure of yourself, there is nothing wrong with you. Your nervous system learned to survive. Now it’s time to learn to feel safe again.

12/05/2025

Setting boundaries shouldn’t feel terrifying. If expressing what you want, disagreeing, or being upset leads to punishment, withholding, or vindictiveness—that’s not love. That’s control. And you’re likely doing all the emotional heavy lifting while they do none.

Get 24/7 support navigating these dynamics with ReclaimYou, my AI coaching app designed specifically for narcissistic abuse recovery.

12/04/2025

DARVO = Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender. They deny their behavior, attack you for bringing it up, then flip it so YOU’RE apologizing to THEM.

The real test of a salvageable relationship? Do they truly make amends and stay repentant after hurting you? Or do they just cycle back?

For more info like this, join my live, every Tuesday at 4 pm CT (2 pm PT/3 pm MT/5 pm ET) here on Facebook.

12/04/2025

I didn't know it was abuse. I thought he just had preferences.

I didn't realize my world was shrinking. That his preferences were becoming non-negotiables.

But by the time I realized something was wrong, I was already trapped in coercive control.

Ask yourself: Can you show up as YOU? Can you speak your mind? Do you ever get YOUR preferences? Can you express what you want and need without consequences? If the answer is no, you're not in a relationship. That’s coercive control.

Recognizing that is the first step to freedom. Learn more by following. Check out the interview with Eleni Sagredos in covert abuse and coercive control on the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse. The title is “When You Feel Less & Less Safe: How Coercive Control Steals Your Freedom & Choice.”

12/03/2025

Narcissistic psychopaths use intrigue as a weapon. They study you, mirror you, make you believe you've found your soulmate. It's the cycle of violence—without the negative parts.

Yet. They can't maintain the act forever.

Once they have you believing them completely, once every part of you is invested—that's when the mask drops. That's when they start "really getting what they want."

If it feels too good, too fast, too intense—trust that feeling. Real love builds slowly. Grooming rushes you before you can think clearly.

12/03/2025

Here's what you don't understand: they genuinely believe they DESERVE your help. They're special. You should drop everything for them.

But once that moment passes every favor you’ve done is forgotten. There is no reciprocity. There never was. You're not in a friendship—you're in servitude.

And the moment you realize that? Everything changes.

12/02/2025

Can you spot grooming before it's too late?

Do you find yourself wondering, "How did I miss all those red flags?" Or maybe you're replaying early moments, trying to understand how someone seemed so perfect at first—only to become controlling, manipulative, or abusive later on?

IN THIS EPISODE

Learn:
-How narcissists and psychopaths systematically groom their victims
-Why grooming happens in friendships and family, not just romantic relationships -What undermines our natural resistance to exploitation
-The differences between intensity vs. intimacy and why we confuse them.

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IF YOU ARE A RISK of immediate danger or abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

DISCLAIMER: All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute mental health advice. Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.
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Feeling stuck in a toxic or troubled relationship?

Take my FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation.

� Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/toxic-or-troubled-survey/

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
• First Steps to Leaving online course – A step-by-step plan to safely and confidently leave a toxic partner: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/course
• Toxic-Free Relationship Club – Weekly group coaching, monthly book reads, access to past webinars, and Dr. McAvoy’s full online course: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/club/
• Group Programs– Healing Strong, Relationship Reset, and more: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/

STAY CONNECTED & SUPPORTED
• Weekly “Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse” Substack newsletter – Insights, stories, and tools for your healing journey: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com/

FOLLOW DR. KERRY
- YouTube:
- Instagram:
- Facebook:
• Email: hello@kerrymcavoyphd.com
• Website: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/

READ MY STORY
“LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, S*x Addiction, & Double Cross”
Available now: https://amzn.to/3NVMBXO

ABOUT DR. KERRY McAVOY
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., is a psychologist, author, and expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding complex trauma. A survivor herself, her memoir “Love You More” offers an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse.

12/02/2025

Here's what people don't understand about Cluster B: when they're wounded—when there's an ego injury—they become callous, ruthless, and leave reality. That's psychosis. Not schizophrenic psychosis, but a break from the world the rest of us are living in.

Borderline, narcissistic, antisocial—these disorders overlap and shift, especially under stress.

When they're enraged, all hell breaks loose because they're no longer grounded in shared reality.

To listen to the full interview with Dr. Leslie Dobson, check out the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast.

Beware the unexpectedAn unsuspected enemy is doubly dangerous. Whether it's a sudden change in plans or an unexpected ch...
12/02/2025

Beware the unexpected

An unsuspected enemy is doubly dangerous. Whether it's a sudden change in plans or an unexpected challenge, these surprises can shake our foundations. Stay vigilant and prepared; the real battles often come from the places we least expect. How do you handle unexpected challenges in your life?

12/02/2025

Predators know who to hunt. But this isn't just about autism.

It's about good people who assume the world is good. We project our integrity onto others and call it trust. It’s called “positive projection.” That's dangerous.

Ask yourself: What are their OTHER motives? How could this be used against me?

Truth and deception intertwinedHave you ever been misled by a slice of truth? 🤔 Just because something isn't a lie doesn...
11/29/2025

Truth and deception intertwined

Have you ever been misled by a slice of truth? 🤔 Just because something isn't a lie doesn't mean it isn't deceptive. A true craftsman of destruction knows how to sculpt their words to misguide us. Let's strive for clarity and authenticity in our conversations.

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