Unmasking Narcissistic Abuse: How Trauma Shapes Relationships and the Path to Healing
Hear how subtle manipulation can affect self-worth and why empathy and resilience can make us both strong and vulnerable in relationships.
In this transformative episode of Reinventing the Arena, Host and Relationship Coach Molly Connolly welcomes Dr. Michelle Roberts, an accomplished journalist, psychotherapist, and professor, to discuss her work in relational trauma and the impact of narcissistic abuse on women’s lives.
Dr. Roberts brings a wealth of knowledge from over 25 years of research on narcissistic abuse, sharing insights into how early life trauma influences adult relationships, the neurological impacts of prolonged emotional abuse, and the importance of therapies like EMDR for healing complex PTSD.
Key Topics Discussed:
Defining Narcissistic Abuse
Early Life Trauma’s Impact on Adult Relationships
Why Elevated Empathy and Cooperativeness Can Be Risk Factors
The Prevalence and Misdiagnosis of Complex PTSD
Therapies for Healing
Building Self-Worth through Daily Practices
Connect with Dr. Michelle Roberts:
IG: @drmichelleroberts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RelationalTraumaRecovery/
Michelle's therapy website is: www.michellerobertsphd.com
Michelle's psychedelic-assisted therapy website is: www.drmichelleroberts.com
Michelle's bio: https://www.michellerobertsphd.com/biography
Story about Michelle: https://www.michellerobertsphd.com/journal/my-story
Resource mentioned: https://heal.michellerobertsphd.com/ResilientByDesign
Sign up for her newsletter: https://www.michellerobertsphd.com/#signup
Book Recommendations from Dr. Michelle Roberts:
Follow Molly on Instagram
Take the Quiz: How Are You Showing Up in Your Love Life?
Subscribe to the Reinventing the Arena Newsletter
Learn more about Reinventing the Arena and Molly on her Website
Review Molly’s Services to see what is a good fit for you right now.
Dr. Michelle Roberts is a journalist, psychotherapist, and professor who helps women discover how past trauma influences their current relationships.
She has studied relational trauma for the past 25 years, first as an award-winning journalist and now as one of the nation’s leading researchers and clinicians focused on the modern epidemic of narcissistic abuse.
Her seminal research illustrates the stark correlation between romantic involvement with a dark personality and a woman’s early-life experiences.
Michelle completed her doctorate in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, where she has taught psychopathology and diagnosis as adjunct faculty. She holds master’s degrees in education from UMSL and journalism from Northwestern University.
In addition to her journalism career, Michelle served as the executive director of Bravely, a residential program for women with histories of trauma and addiction leaving sex trafficking.
She was a founding director of one of the nation’s first nonprofits dedicated to health literacy, and author of several books designed to help people manage their mental health for the Institute for Healthcare Advancement in Irvine, California.
Michelle holds a license to practice psychotherapy in Missouri and Oregon. She serves as a contributor on the Oxygen network’s Mastermind of Murder, where she provides insight on dark personalities. Her research on empathy has been presented multiple times at the American Psychological Association.
Listen and Subscribe
Listen in every Tuesday to hear savvy guests and love life insights.
Subscribe so you never miss additional released episodes!
TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE