The Healing Lounge with Marcia Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:52:29 -0400 http://Www.thepassagetopeace.com en-us © 2026 The Healing Lounge with Marcia yes Support this Podcast 4ecf4685-a57d-58f7-a993-ac7358ae1b22 Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach episodic false Welcome to The Healing Lounge — the podcast where survivors of narcissistic abuse can finally exhale.


Hosted by licensed therapist, author and survivor Marcia Williams, this show offers raw honesty, expert insights, and heartfelt stories to guide you from surviving to thriving. Whether you’re still in the relationship, freshly out, or rebuilding your life afterward, you’ll find the clarity, tools, and community you need here.


Each week, Marcia blends her 22 years of clinical experience with the wisdom of her own 30-year marriage to a narcissist. Expect a mix of real talk, taboo conversations (yes, even the ones no one else will touch), practical strategies for healing, and inspiring guest interviews — from survivors, coaches, and loved ones impacted by abuse.


The Healing Lounge is more than a podcast. It’s your safe space to reclaim your voice, rebuild your confidence, and protect your peace.


Honest conversations. Expert insights. Survivor strength.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Narcissistic abuse, healing, narcissist, narcissism, recovery, manipulation, covert, overt, abuse Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach https://storage.buzzsprout.com/wba3aapi32f3rxoovm4y5ixla23l?.jpg The Healing Lounge with Marcia http://Www.thepassagetopeace.com From Flight to Fight - The Truth About Reactive Abuse From Flight to Fight - The Truth About Reactive Abuse Share your comments with Marcia

You tried to communicate. You tried therapy. You tried being vulnerable. You tried leaving the room. You tried silence. And when nothing else worked, you fought back. You yelled. You said cruel things. Maybe you even got physical. And now you're carrying shame because you think that makes you just as bad as them.

It doesn't.

In this episode, we're talking about reactive abuse - the thing that keeps survivors stuck in guilt for years, often even after they leave. It's the moments you're not proud of. The times you snapped after being pushed past your breaking point. The reactions the narcissist weaponized against you to prove YOU were the problem.

Here's what you need to understand: Reactive abuse isn't you being abusive. It's you finally going into fight mode after flight stopped working. It's your nervous system saying "I give up trying to survive any other way." And the narcissist baited you into it on purpose because they needed you to react. Your reaction validated their narrative, gave them ammunition, made you doubt yourself, and kept you trapped trying to prove you weren't crazy.

I'm sharing my own experiences with reactive abuse in my 30-year marriage - the aggression, the affair, the shame spiral that kept me compliant for years. Because I want you to understand that if a licensed therapist with over 23 years of clinical experience can fall into this pattern, you are not alone. And you are not the problem.

We break down:

  • What reactive abuse actually is and why it happens
  • The narcissist's strategy and why they NEED you to react
  • How to recognize when you've been baited
  • The difference between reactive abuse and actual abuse
  • How to break the cycle and stop taking the bait
  • Why you need to forgive yourself and release the shame

If you've ever wondered if you're the narcissist, if you've been called abusive for how you responded to being abused, if you're carrying guilt about moments you wish you could take back - this episode is for you.

Stop punishing yourself for being human under inhumane conditions. Your reactions were survival. Now it's time to heal.

Every Monday at 7 PM EST, join me live in The Healing Room on TikTok and Instagram where we break trauma bonds together.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

You tried to communicate. You tried therapy. You tried being vulnerable. You tried leaving the room. You tried silence. And when nothing else worked, you fought back. You yelled. You said cruel things. Maybe you even got physical. And now you're carrying shame because you think that makes you just as bad as them.

It doesn't.

In this episode, we're talking about reactive abuse - the thing that keeps survivors stuck in guilt for years, often even after they leave. It's the moments you're not proud of. The times you snapped after being pushed past your breaking point. The reactions the narcissist weaponized against you to prove YOU were the problem.

Here's what you need to understand: Reactive abuse isn't you being abusive. It's you finally going into fight mode after flight stopped working. It's your nervous system saying "I give up trying to survive any other way." And the narcissist baited you into it on purpose because they needed you to react. Your reaction validated their narrative, gave them ammunition, made you doubt yourself, and kept you trapped trying to prove you weren't crazy.

I'm sharing my own experiences with reactive abuse in my 30-year marriage - the aggression, the affair, the shame spiral that kept me compliant for years. Because I want you to understand that if a licensed therapist with over 23 years of clinical experience can fall into this pattern, you are not alone. And you are not the problem.

We break down:

  • What reactive abuse actually is and why it happens
  • The narcissist's strategy and why they NEED you to react
  • How to recognize when you've been baited
  • The difference between reactive abuse and actual abuse
  • How to break the cycle and stop taking the bait
  • Why you need to forgive yourself and release the shame

If you've ever wondered if you're the narcissist, if you've been called abusive for how you responded to being abused, if you're carrying guilt about moments you wish you could take back - this episode is for you.

Stop punishing yourself for being human under inhumane conditions. Your reactions were survival. Now it's time to heal.

Every Monday at 7 PM EST, join me live in The Healing Room on TikTok and Instagram where we break trauma bonds together.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18664939 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 2361 1 23 full false Live in The Healing Room: The "H" Word is The Silent Killer Live in The Healing Room: The "H" Word is The Silent Killer Share your comments with Marcia

We are taught from the time we are children that hope is a good thing. Hope is in the Bible. Hope is positive. Hope is what keeps us going. So what happens when the very thing we've been told is beautiful becomes the thing that is silently destroying us?

Tonight in The Healing Room, we are talking about the "H" word. And yes, it's going to be uncomfortable. Because hope — the hope we hold onto in a narcissistic relationship — is not the hopeful, faith-filled, keep-going kind of hope we were raised to believe in. It's the kind that keeps us trapped. The kind that whispers "maybe this time" while we lose years of our lives waiting for a change that is never coming.

We're diving deep tonight. We're talking about why hope is what I call the silent killer — and why someone else has even called it slow motion suicide. We're getting into the neurochemical trap that makes hope feel exactly like love, why your brain is literally wired to keep you hooked into the cycle, and how hope and denial are not two separate things — they are the same thing wearing different outfits.

But don't worry. We're not just tearing something down tonight. We're also talking about what to replace it with. Because if hope isn't the answer, then what is? Tonight we're trading hope in for something far more powerful — and it starts with you.

This is not about the narcissist. This is about you. 

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

We are taught from the time we are children that hope is a good thing. Hope is in the Bible. Hope is positive. Hope is what keeps us going. So what happens when the very thing we've been told is beautiful becomes the thing that is silently destroying us?

Tonight in The Healing Room, we are talking about the "H" word. And yes, it's going to be uncomfortable. Because hope — the hope we hold onto in a narcissistic relationship — is not the hopeful, faith-filled, keep-going kind of hope we were raised to believe in. It's the kind that keeps us trapped. The kind that whispers "maybe this time" while we lose years of our lives waiting for a change that is never coming.

We're diving deep tonight. We're talking about why hope is what I call the silent killer — and why someone else has even called it slow motion suicide. We're getting into the neurochemical trap that makes hope feel exactly like love, why your brain is literally wired to keep you hooked into the cycle, and how hope and denial are not two separate things — they are the same thing wearing different outfits.

But don't worry. We're not just tearing something down tonight. We're also talking about what to replace it with. Because if hope isn't the answer, then what is? Tonight we're trading hope in for something far more powerful — and it starts with you.

This is not about the narcissist. This is about you. 

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18614142 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 1461 1 22 full true The Five Stages of a Deteriorating Marriage & The $300 Custody Hack with Dr. Becky Whetstone The Five Stages of a Deteriorating Marriage & The $300 Custody Hack with Dr. Becky Whetstone Share your comments with Marcia

What if I told you that your marriage didn't just suddenly fall apart - it died in five predictable stages, and you missed every warning sign?

In this enlightening conversation, I sit down with Dr. Becky Whetstone, marriage and family therapist and author of "I Think I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage," to talk about what no one else will tell you about leaving a narcissist.

Dr. Becky spent 20 years trying to get her book published. Why? Because literary agents kept rejecting it for being "too negative" - they wanted her to save every marriage in the end. But Dr. Becky knows the uncomfortable truth: some marriages can't and shouldn't be saved. Especially when you're married to a narcissist.

She's lived it. Twice. Two narcissistic husbands, two divorces, and hard-won wisdom about what it actually takes to get out and stay out.

In this episode, we dive deep into territory most therapists won't touch:

  • The five stages every deteriorating marriage goes through and why most people suffer in silence until it's too late
  • How narcissists show up in couples therapy - spoiler: they're there to change YOU, not themselves
  • Why only 30% of abusers ever change even with the best treatment protocol, and why the other 70% never will
  • The critical difference between narcissistic tendencies and actual Narcissistic Personality Disorder
  • If you're asking yourself "Am I the narcissist?" - you're not. Here's why narcissists never self-reflect.
  • The $300 custody hack that ended her million-dollar-earning ex-husband's lawsuit in 30 seconds
  • Why you can't reason with a narcissist and what to do instead
  • How to leave covertly when you need to protect yourself financially, and why sometimes disappearing is the safest option

This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about saving your marriage, trying one more time, and whether couples therapy with a narcissist is even safe.

If you're stuck in the "I think I want out" phase, if you're exhausted from trying to make it work, if you need permission to stop reasoning with someone who will never change - this episode is for you.

Dr. Becky Whetstone is the author of "I Think I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage" and is currently releasing her memoir "The Congressman's Wife" about her own marriage crisis. Find her at marriagecrisismanager.com.

Ready to do your own recovery work? Visit ThePassageToPeace.com to learn about my P2P Essentials 7 week program, explore my coaching programs, P.E.A.C.E. Pockets Survival Sessions, and one-on-one coaching.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

What if I told you that your marriage didn't just suddenly fall apart - it died in five predictable stages, and you missed every warning sign?

In this enlightening conversation, I sit down with Dr. Becky Whetstone, marriage and family therapist and author of "I Think I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage," to talk about what no one else will tell you about leaving a narcissist.

Dr. Becky spent 20 years trying to get her book published. Why? Because literary agents kept rejecting it for being "too negative" - they wanted her to save every marriage in the end. But Dr. Becky knows the uncomfortable truth: some marriages can't and shouldn't be saved. Especially when you're married to a narcissist.

She's lived it. Twice. Two narcissistic husbands, two divorces, and hard-won wisdom about what it actually takes to get out and stay out.

In this episode, we dive deep into territory most therapists won't touch:

  • The five stages every deteriorating marriage goes through and why most people suffer in silence until it's too late
  • How narcissists show up in couples therapy - spoiler: they're there to change YOU, not themselves
  • Why only 30% of abusers ever change even with the best treatment protocol, and why the other 70% never will
  • The critical difference between narcissistic tendencies and actual Narcissistic Personality Disorder
  • If you're asking yourself "Am I the narcissist?" - you're not. Here's why narcissists never self-reflect.
  • The $300 custody hack that ended her million-dollar-earning ex-husband's lawsuit in 30 seconds
  • Why you can't reason with a narcissist and what to do instead
  • How to leave covertly when you need to protect yourself financially, and why sometimes disappearing is the safest option

This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about saving your marriage, trying one more time, and whether couples therapy with a narcissist is even safe.

If you're stuck in the "I think I want out" phase, if you're exhausted from trying to make it work, if you need permission to stop reasoning with someone who will never change - this episode is for you.

Dr. Becky Whetstone is the author of "I Think I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage" and is currently releasing her memoir "The Congressman's Wife" about her own marriage crisis. Find her at marriagecrisismanager.com.

Ready to do your own recovery work? Visit ThePassageToPeace.com to learn about my P2P Essentials 7 week program, explore my coaching programs, P.E.A.C.E. Pockets Survival Sessions, and one-on-one coaching.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18590271 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500 4013 1 21 full false When Trauma Looks Like Mental Illness with Michelle Reittinger When Trauma Looks Like Mental Illness with Michelle Reittinger Share your comments with Marcia

What if the mental health diagnosis you've been carrying isn't actually the answer you thought it was? What if the symptoms you've been told to manage for life could actually be healed at the root?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Michelle Rittenburg, number one bestselling author of The Upside of Bipolar and founder of Upsiders Tribe, to explore the complex intersection of trauma and mental health symptoms.

Michelle shares her raw journey from a narcissistic abusive first marriage that left her with unprocessed trauma she carried for 30 years. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 24 and told she had a permanent chemical imbalance requiring lifelong medication, Michelle spent over a decade on seven different psychiatric drugs, experienced multiple hospitalizations, and survived suicide attempts. She was told recovery wasn't possible.

But Michelle refused to accept that narrative.

In this episode, we dive deep into uncomfortable territory:

The moment Michelle realized traditional treatment wasn't working and why the "chemical imbalance" theory she'd built her life around wasn't supported by science

How unprocessed trauma from narcissistic abuse manifested as severe mood swings, depression, and what looked like mental illness

Why psychiatric diagnoses describe symptoms but don't identify underlying causes, and how this keeps people trapped in victimhood

Michelle's intense six-week EMDR therapy experience processing 30 years of repressed trauma, including her "day of rage" that signaled breakthrough

The difference between managing symptoms and actually healing at the root

Why we must learn to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of pathologizing or avoiding them

How choosing your hard, doing the work, and looking at symptoms with curiosity instead of judgment creates true freedom

The critical role of community and tribe in the healing journey

This conversation will challenge everything you've been told about mental health, permanent diagnoses, and what's actually possible when you're willing to do the uncomfortable work of healing.

If you've been labeled, diagnosed, or told you're broken beyond repair, this episode is for you. Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of narcissistic abuse, struggling with mental health symptoms, or both, Michelle's message is clear: healing is possible, and you don't have to be a victim to your symptoms for the rest of your life.

Ready to do your own recovery work? Visit ThePassageToPeace.com to explore my coaching programs, P.E.A.C.E. Pockets Survival Sessions, and one-on-one coaching.


LINKS To Find Michelle:

Website: www.theupsideofbipolar.com 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theupsideofbipolar 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar 

Podcast: The Upside of Bipolar: Conversations on the Road to Wellness 

Book: The Upside of Bipolar: Seven Steps to Heal Your Disorder

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

What if the mental health diagnosis you've been carrying isn't actually the answer you thought it was? What if the symptoms you've been told to manage for life could actually be healed at the root?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Michelle Rittenburg, number one bestselling author of The Upside of Bipolar and founder of Upsiders Tribe, to explore the complex intersection of trauma and mental health symptoms.

Michelle shares her raw journey from a narcissistic abusive first marriage that left her with unprocessed trauma she carried for 30 years. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 24 and told she had a permanent chemical imbalance requiring lifelong medication, Michelle spent over a decade on seven different psychiatric drugs, experienced multiple hospitalizations, and survived suicide attempts. She was told recovery wasn't possible.

But Michelle refused to accept that narrative.

In this episode, we dive deep into uncomfortable territory:

The moment Michelle realized traditional treatment wasn't working and why the "chemical imbalance" theory she'd built her life around wasn't supported by science

How unprocessed trauma from narcissistic abuse manifested as severe mood swings, depression, and what looked like mental illness

Why psychiatric diagnoses describe symptoms but don't identify underlying causes, and how this keeps people trapped in victimhood

Michelle's intense six-week EMDR therapy experience processing 30 years of repressed trauma, including her "day of rage" that signaled breakthrough

The difference between managing symptoms and actually healing at the root

Why we must learn to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of pathologizing or avoiding them

How choosing your hard, doing the work, and looking at symptoms with curiosity instead of judgment creates true freedom

The critical role of community and tribe in the healing journey

This conversation will challenge everything you've been told about mental health, permanent diagnoses, and what's actually possible when you're willing to do the uncomfortable work of healing.

If you've been labeled, diagnosed, or told you're broken beyond repair, this episode is for you. Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of narcissistic abuse, struggling with mental health symptoms, or both, Michelle's message is clear: healing is possible, and you don't have to be a victim to your symptoms for the rest of your life.

Ready to do your own recovery work? Visit ThePassageToPeace.com to explore my coaching programs, P.E.A.C.E. Pockets Survival Sessions, and one-on-one coaching.


LINKS To Find Michelle:

Website: www.theupsideofbipolar.com 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theupsideofbipolar 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar 

Podcast: The Upside of Bipolar: Conversations on the Road to Wellness 

Book: The Upside of Bipolar: Seven Steps to Heal Your Disorder

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18480992 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 3446 1 20 full false Live in The Healing Room: It's Not a "You" Problem, It's a Brain Problem Live in The Healing Room: It's Not a "You" Problem, It's a Brain Problem Share your comments with Marcia

"Just move on. Just let it go. Just forget about it."

If breaking free from a narcissistic relationship were that simple, you'd already be done. But it's not, and there's a reason why.

In this live recording from The Healing Room, I break down the hard truth about trauma bonds and why willpower alone will never be enough to break them. This isn't about weakness - it's about understanding that you're dealing with a brain problem, not a character flaw.

I'm covering:

  • Why your brain treats the relationship like an addiction (because it literally is)
  • The neurological patterns keeping you stuck in the cycle
  • Why New Year's resolutions are a trap when it comes to trauma bonds
  • The three things you actually need: structure, community, and the right framework
  • How to stop setting yourself up for failure and start creating real change

As someone who spent 30 years in a marriage to a narcissist and five years breaking my own trauma bond, I'm not just teaching this - I've lived it. And I'm here to walk through it with you.

Join me every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok and Instagram for Monday Night Live in The Healing Room, where we're breaking bonds and building better lives.

Free Workshop: Join me January 19th, 2026 for a 75-minute deep dive on breaking the trauma bond.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

"Just move on. Just let it go. Just forget about it."

If breaking free from a narcissistic relationship were that simple, you'd already be done. But it's not, and there's a reason why.

In this live recording from The Healing Room, I break down the hard truth about trauma bonds and why willpower alone will never be enough to break them. This isn't about weakness - it's about understanding that you're dealing with a brain problem, not a character flaw.

I'm covering:

  • Why your brain treats the relationship like an addiction (because it literally is)
  • The neurological patterns keeping you stuck in the cycle
  • Why New Year's resolutions are a trap when it comes to trauma bonds
  • The three things you actually need: structure, community, and the right framework
  • How to stop setting yourself up for failure and start creating real change

As someone who spent 30 years in a marriage to a narcissist and five years breaking my own trauma bond, I'm not just teaching this - I've lived it. And I'm here to walk through it with you.

Join me every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok and Instagram for Monday Night Live in The Healing Room, where we're breaking bonds and building better lives.

Free Workshop: Join me January 19th, 2026 for a 75-minute deep dive on breaking the trauma bond.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18436751 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2737 1 18 full false The Strength Paradox - Why the Same Power That Keeps You In Gets You Out The Strength Paradox - Why the Same Power That Keeps You In Gets You Out Share your comments with Marcia

We've been taught that endurance equals strength. That staying means we're strong enough to handle it. But what if the very strength that kept you surviving in a narcissistic relationship is the same strength that will set you free?

In this powerful episode, Marcia challenges everything you thought you knew about strength in toxic relationships. She reveals the critical difference between survival mode strength - the over-functioning, tolerance, and walking on eggshells we mistake for resilience - and true strength that chooses self-preservation over performance.

Drawing from her own 30-year marriage to an overt narcissist, Marcia exposes how we get validation for "handling" difficult partners, how we confuse tolerance with resilience, and why waiting to "feel strong enough" keeps us stuck for decades. She shares the truth about rock bottom, the terrifying moment when the veil of denial lifts and you finally see what you can no longer unsee.

This isn't about how to leave - it's about understanding that you already have the strength. You've been using it to survive. Now it's time to redirect that same power toward healing. Because the strength doesn't come before the doing. The strength comes IN the doing.

If you've been waiting to feel strong enough, this episode will show you why that's the very thing keeping you trapped - and how to take that first scary step forward without a backup plan.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

We've been taught that endurance equals strength. That staying means we're strong enough to handle it. But what if the very strength that kept you surviving in a narcissistic relationship is the same strength that will set you free?

In this powerful episode, Marcia challenges everything you thought you knew about strength in toxic relationships. She reveals the critical difference between survival mode strength - the over-functioning, tolerance, and walking on eggshells we mistake for resilience - and true strength that chooses self-preservation over performance.

Drawing from her own 30-year marriage to an overt narcissist, Marcia exposes how we get validation for "handling" difficult partners, how we confuse tolerance with resilience, and why waiting to "feel strong enough" keeps us stuck for decades. She shares the truth about rock bottom, the terrifying moment when the veil of denial lifts and you finally see what you can no longer unsee.

This isn't about how to leave - it's about understanding that you already have the strength. You've been using it to survive. Now it's time to redirect that same power toward healing. Because the strength doesn't come before the doing. The strength comes IN the doing.

If you've been waiting to feel strong enough, this episode will show you why that's the very thing keeping you trapped - and how to take that first scary step forward without a backup plan.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18418796 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500 1266 1 19 full false Live in The Healing Room: What You're Really Addicted To and It's Not the Narcissist Live in The Healing Room: What You're Really Addicted To and It's Not the Narcissist Share your comments with Marcia

Marcia Williams, licensed therapist and narcissistic abuse recovery coach, drops another truth bomb in the Healing Room, a weekly live session on TikTok and Instagram where she pushes survivors beyond survival mode. In this episode, Marcia breaks down what survivors are actually addicted to in toxic relationships, and spoiler alert, it's not the person.

In this recovery session, we explore the real addictions: solving unsolvable puzzles, familiar pain, being the fixer, drama, and the rumination loops that keep your brain hostage at 3 AM. This is about moving from victim to victor by looking inward instead of staying focused on the narcissist's behavior.

Key Topics:

  • Why your brain won't stop ruminating and how to interrupt the pattern
  • The five things you're actually addicted to in a narcissistic relationship
  • What you're really avoiding: your own healing, grief, and responsibility for staying
  • The trauma bond chemistry and why just stop thinking about them doesn't work
  • How peace becomes terrifying after years of chaos
  • The mirror effect: how the narcissist shows you your own wounds
  • Practical exercises to break the addiction through brutal self-honesty

This session is for survivors ready to go deeper than surface-level boundary work. If you're tired of focusing on what they did and ready to examine your own choices with compassion and truth, this episode will challenge you in the best possible way.

Resources mentioned: P2P Essentials seven-week program, Women's H.O.P.E. Coaching Group for those still in relationships, one-on-one coaching, and the 30-minute Peace Pocket survival toolkit at thepassagetopeace.com

Join Marcia live in The Healing Room every Monday Night on TikTok and Instagram.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

Marcia Williams, licensed therapist and narcissistic abuse recovery coach, drops another truth bomb in the Healing Room, a weekly live session on TikTok and Instagram where she pushes survivors beyond survival mode. In this episode, Marcia breaks down what survivors are actually addicted to in toxic relationships, and spoiler alert, it's not the person.

In this recovery session, we explore the real addictions: solving unsolvable puzzles, familiar pain, being the fixer, drama, and the rumination loops that keep your brain hostage at 3 AM. This is about moving from victim to victor by looking inward instead of staying focused on the narcissist's behavior.

Key Topics:

  • Why your brain won't stop ruminating and how to interrupt the pattern
  • The five things you're actually addicted to in a narcissistic relationship
  • What you're really avoiding: your own healing, grief, and responsibility for staying
  • The trauma bond chemistry and why just stop thinking about them doesn't work
  • How peace becomes terrifying after years of chaos
  • The mirror effect: how the narcissist shows you your own wounds
  • Practical exercises to break the addiction through brutal self-honesty

This session is for survivors ready to go deeper than surface-level boundary work. If you're tired of focusing on what they did and ready to examine your own choices with compassion and truth, this episode will challenge you in the best possible way.

Resources mentioned: P2P Essentials seven-week program, Women's H.O.P.E. Coaching Group for those still in relationships, one-on-one coaching, and the 30-minute Peace Pocket survival toolkit at thepassagetopeace.com

Join Marcia live in The Healing Room every Monday Night on TikTok and Instagram.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18367851 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500 1652 1 17 full false Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Uncomfortable Truth About Narcissists & Empaths Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Uncomfortable Truth About Narcissists & Empaths Share your comments with Marcia

In this week’s episode of The Healing Room, Marcia takes you into one of the most challenging—and liberating—conversations of your healing journey. We’ve all heard the familiar narrative: the narcissist is the villain, and the empath is the victim. But what happens when you look beneath the labels? What happens when you hold up the mirror?

Marcia breaks down the uncomfortable truth that narcissists and empaths are not opposites at all—they’re two sides of the same wounded coin. One inflates to survive, the other deflates. One hides behind superiority, the other hides behind selflessness. Both are masking the same core fear: “If you see who I really am, you’ll leave.”

This episode walks you through:

  • Why empaths are magnetically drawn to narcissists—and why narcissists seek them out
  • How both roles develop from the same childhood wounds
  • The ways empaths use caretaking, self-sacrifice, and “being needed” as a mask
  • Why awareness—not blame—is the key to breaking the cycle
  • The liberation that comes when you stop performing and start honoring your own boundaries
  • How to reclaim your worth so you no longer attract relationships built on wounds

With raw honesty and deep compassion, Marcia shares her own story of staying in a 30–year narcissistic marriage, the role she played without realizing it, and the moment she understood the truth that set her free.

If you’re ready to step out of old patterns, stop performing for love, and finally see what’s been hiding beneath your own mask—this episode is the doorway.

And remember:
 You are not the narcissist.
 But to heal, you must understand the mirror.

Join Marcia live every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok and IG for more real talk, more breakthroughs, and more freedom on the other side of your truth.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this week’s episode of The Healing Room, Marcia takes you into one of the most challenging—and liberating—conversations of your healing journey. We’ve all heard the familiar narrative: the narcissist is the villain, and the empath is the victim. But what happens when you look beneath the labels? What happens when you hold up the mirror?

Marcia breaks down the uncomfortable truth that narcissists and empaths are not opposites at all—they’re two sides of the same wounded coin. One inflates to survive, the other deflates. One hides behind superiority, the other hides behind selflessness. Both are masking the same core fear: “If you see who I really am, you’ll leave.”

This episode walks you through:

  • Why empaths are magnetically drawn to narcissists—and why narcissists seek them out
  • How both roles develop from the same childhood wounds
  • The ways empaths use caretaking, self-sacrifice, and “being needed” as a mask
  • Why awareness—not blame—is the key to breaking the cycle
  • The liberation that comes when you stop performing and start honoring your own boundaries
  • How to reclaim your worth so you no longer attract relationships built on wounds

With raw honesty and deep compassion, Marcia shares her own story of staying in a 30–year narcissistic marriage, the role she played without realizing it, and the moment she understood the truth that set her free.

If you’re ready to step out of old patterns, stop performing for love, and finally see what’s been hiding beneath your own mask—this episode is the doorway.

And remember:
 You are not the narcissist.
 But to heal, you must understand the mirror.

Join Marcia live every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok and IG for more real talk, more breakthroughs, and more freedom on the other side of your truth.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18326899 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500 1852 1 16 full false From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dr. Tomi Mitchell’s Holistic Approach From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dr. Tomi Mitchell’s Holistic Approach Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful episode, Marcia sits down with Dr. Tomi Mitchell — board-certified family physician, wellness and performance coach, TEDx speaker, and mental health advocate — for a raw, insightful conversation about healing from narcissistic abuse, burnout, and the patterns we inherit without even realizing it.

Dr. Tomi brings her lived experience, her medical expertise, and her holistic framework to help us understand why our bodies react the way they do, why we normalize pain, and why so many survivors stay in harmful relationships far longer than they intended. Together, Marcia and Dr. Tomi pull back the curtain on the three critical relationships that shape our entire lives:

  1. The relationship we have with ourselves
  2. The relationships we have with our closest people
  3. The relationship we have with work and society

When those “three legs of the stool” weaken, everything in our lives starts to wobble — our health, our peace, our identity, and our ability to function. Dr. Tomi explains how this imbalance often mimics ADHD, anxiety, depression, or burnout, and why so many survivors are misdiagnosed when the real issue is untreated trauma.

You’ll hear both women share their own experiences with narcissistic abuse, identity loss, chronic stress, and the long road back to clarity. Dr. Tomi offers a compassionate but direct roadmap for reconnecting with yourself, rewriting your vision, and rebuilding your nervous system after years of survival mode.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever:
 • Felt confused, foggy, or overwhelmed and didn’t know why
 • Stayed in a relationship that hurt you because the unknown felt scarier
 • Lost your identity to people-pleasing or perfectionism
 • Experienced chronic headaches, burnout, or body symptoms you couldn’t explain
 • Wondered if your ADHD symptoms were actually trauma responses
 • Tried to heal yourself while still living in a toxic environment

Dr. Tomi reminds us that healing is possible — but it begins with truth, vision, and the courage to face ourselves. And as Marcia shares, once we do that work, we don’t just survive… we rise, and then we go out and help others rise too.

This conversation will leave you seen, understood, and empowered.

If you want to learn more from Dr. Tomi or follow her work, you can find her here:

The Mental Health & Wellness Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1754964

Holistic Wellness Strategies: https://www.holisticwellnessstrategies.com/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMitchellHWS

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drtomimitchell/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtomimitchell/

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful episode, Marcia sits down with Dr. Tomi Mitchell — board-certified family physician, wellness and performance coach, TEDx speaker, and mental health advocate — for a raw, insightful conversation about healing from narcissistic abuse, burnout, and the patterns we inherit without even realizing it.

Dr. Tomi brings her lived experience, her medical expertise, and her holistic framework to help us understand why our bodies react the way they do, why we normalize pain, and why so many survivors stay in harmful relationships far longer than they intended. Together, Marcia and Dr. Tomi pull back the curtain on the three critical relationships that shape our entire lives:

  1. The relationship we have with ourselves
  2. The relationships we have with our closest people
  3. The relationship we have with work and society

When those “three legs of the stool” weaken, everything in our lives starts to wobble — our health, our peace, our identity, and our ability to function. Dr. Tomi explains how this imbalance often mimics ADHD, anxiety, depression, or burnout, and why so many survivors are misdiagnosed when the real issue is untreated trauma.

You’ll hear both women share their own experiences with narcissistic abuse, identity loss, chronic stress, and the long road back to clarity. Dr. Tomi offers a compassionate but direct roadmap for reconnecting with yourself, rewriting your vision, and rebuilding your nervous system after years of survival mode.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever:
 • Felt confused, foggy, or overwhelmed and didn’t know why
 • Stayed in a relationship that hurt you because the unknown felt scarier
 • Lost your identity to people-pleasing or perfectionism
 • Experienced chronic headaches, burnout, or body symptoms you couldn’t explain
 • Wondered if your ADHD symptoms were actually trauma responses
 • Tried to heal yourself while still living in a toxic environment

Dr. Tomi reminds us that healing is possible — but it begins with truth, vision, and the courage to face ourselves. And as Marcia shares, once we do that work, we don’t just survive… we rise, and then we go out and help others rise too.

This conversation will leave you seen, understood, and empowered.

If you want to learn more from Dr. Tomi or follow her work, you can find her here:

The Mental Health & Wellness Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1754964

Holistic Wellness Strategies: https://www.holisticwellnessstrategies.com/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMitchellHWS

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drtomimitchell/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtomimitchell/

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18320991 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:00:00 -0500 2551 1 15 full false The Transformation Trilogy Part 3: How to Stop Reacting and Start Reclaiming — The P.E.A.C.E. Method™ The Transformation Trilogy Part 3: How to Stop Reacting and Start Reclaiming — The P.E.A.C.E. Method™ Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful conclusion to The Transformation Trilogy, Marcia Williams — licensed therapist, survivor, and creator of the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ — takes you beyond awareness and survival into the sacred process of transformation.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve done “all the healing work” but still find yourself reacting to triggers, replaying old wounds, or struggling to feel peace that lasts, this episode will change how you see recovery forever.

Marcia breaks down her signature 5-stage healing framework, The P.E.A.C.E. Method™, designed to help survivors of narcissistic abuse move from confusion to clarity, from reactivity to regulation, and from surviving to thriving. Drawing from her own 30-year marriage to a narcissist and two decades of clinical experience, she reveals the step-by-step process that allows survivors to stop chasing closure and start creating peace from the inside out.

You’ll learn how each stage — Paradigm Shift, Establishing Safety, Alchemy of Wounds, Courageous Reclamation, and Empowered Freedom — works together to restore identity, rebuild trust, and help you finally reclaim your life on your own terms.

This episode is equal parts education and empowerment — grounded in truth, soaked in hope, and wrapped in Marcia’s signature mix of humor, heart, and raw honesty.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • The exact 5 stages of healing called The P.E.A.C.E. Method™ and how to recognize where you are in the process.
  • Why most survivors get stuck in survival mode — and how to move forward without guilt or fear.
  • The science of safety and why structure is essential for emotional freedom.
  • How to transform pain into power through emotional alchemy and self-compassion.
  • Practical journaling prompts to help you begin reclaiming your peace today.

Reflection Prompts:

  1. Which stage of the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ am I in right now? (Go to thepassagetopeace.com and take a free quiz!)
  2. What does emotional safety feel like for me today?
  3. What truth am I finally ready to face and release?
  4. What decision can I make today that honors the person I’m becoming?

Call to Action:
Journal through today’s prompts, share your reflections with Marcia on social media, and join the next cohort of P2P Essentials to walk the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ step-by-step with a community that gets it.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful conclusion to The Transformation Trilogy, Marcia Williams — licensed therapist, survivor, and creator of the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ — takes you beyond awareness and survival into the sacred process of transformation.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve done “all the healing work” but still find yourself reacting to triggers, replaying old wounds, or struggling to feel peace that lasts, this episode will change how you see recovery forever.

Marcia breaks down her signature 5-stage healing framework, The P.E.A.C.E. Method™, designed to help survivors of narcissistic abuse move from confusion to clarity, from reactivity to regulation, and from surviving to thriving. Drawing from her own 30-year marriage to a narcissist and two decades of clinical experience, she reveals the step-by-step process that allows survivors to stop chasing closure and start creating peace from the inside out.

You’ll learn how each stage — Paradigm Shift, Establishing Safety, Alchemy of Wounds, Courageous Reclamation, and Empowered Freedom — works together to restore identity, rebuild trust, and help you finally reclaim your life on your own terms.

This episode is equal parts education and empowerment — grounded in truth, soaked in hope, and wrapped in Marcia’s signature mix of humor, heart, and raw honesty.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • The exact 5 stages of healing called The P.E.A.C.E. Method™ and how to recognize where you are in the process.
  • Why most survivors get stuck in survival mode — and how to move forward without guilt or fear.
  • The science of safety and why structure is essential for emotional freedom.
  • How to transform pain into power through emotional alchemy and self-compassion.
  • Practical journaling prompts to help you begin reclaiming your peace today.

Reflection Prompts:

  1. Which stage of the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ am I in right now? (Go to thepassagetopeace.com and take a free quiz!)
  2. What does emotional safety feel like for me today?
  3. What truth am I finally ready to face and release?
  4. What decision can I make today that honors the person I’m becoming?

Call to Action:
Journal through today’s prompts, share your reflections with Marcia on social media, and join the next cohort of P2P Essentials to walk the P.E.A.C.E. Method™ step-by-step with a community that gets it.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18239254 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2006 1 14 full false Healing After Her: A Man’s Journey from a Narcissistic Marriage to Peace Healing After Her: A Man’s Journey from a Narcissistic Marriage to Peace Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia sits down with a man who bravely shares his story of surviving a narcissistic marriage — and finding peace on the other side.

For his family’s privacy, he remains anonymous. But his voice carries the wisdom, faith, and insight of a man who has walked through emotional and spiritual warfare and come out grounded, healed, and free.

He opens up about the childhood wounds that shaped his self-worth, the painful awakening that revealed the truth about his marriage, and the stillness that God required before restoration began. Through radical accountability, grace, and spiritual growth, he learned to co-parent peacefully and rebuild his identity as a father, man, and believer.

This is not just a story about survival — it’s a story about transformation. About choosing healing over bitterness, surrender over control, and peace over pride.

Whether you’re in the process of leaving a narcissistic relationship or rebuilding your life afterward, this episode will give you hope that freedom and forgiveness are possible — no matter how deep the pain runs.

You’ll Learn:

  • The hidden signs of emotional manipulation and control
  • Why shame keeps men from speaking out about abuse
  • How faith and stillness can become a healing ground
  • The mindset shift that makes peaceful co-parenting possible
  • What true accountability and grace look like in recovery

Resources & Support

You don’t have to heal alone.
 Join our survivor communities today:

  • Women’s H.O.P.E. Group — Healing, Overcoming, Persevering, Empowering
  • UnM.A.S.K. Men’s Group — Men Awakening, Surviving, and Knowing

Visit www.thepassagetopeace.com
and click Groups & Programs to learn more.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia sits down with a man who bravely shares his story of surviving a narcissistic marriage — and finding peace on the other side.

For his family’s privacy, he remains anonymous. But his voice carries the wisdom, faith, and insight of a man who has walked through emotional and spiritual warfare and come out grounded, healed, and free.

He opens up about the childhood wounds that shaped his self-worth, the painful awakening that revealed the truth about his marriage, and the stillness that God required before restoration began. Through radical accountability, grace, and spiritual growth, he learned to co-parent peacefully and rebuild his identity as a father, man, and believer.

This is not just a story about survival — it’s a story about transformation. About choosing healing over bitterness, surrender over control, and peace over pride.

Whether you’re in the process of leaving a narcissistic relationship or rebuilding your life afterward, this episode will give you hope that freedom and forgiveness are possible — no matter how deep the pain runs.

You’ll Learn:

  • The hidden signs of emotional manipulation and control
  • Why shame keeps men from speaking out about abuse
  • How faith and stillness can become a healing ground
  • The mindset shift that makes peaceful co-parenting possible
  • What true accountability and grace look like in recovery

Resources & Support

You don’t have to heal alone.
 Join our survivor communities today:

  • Women’s H.O.P.E. Group — Healing, Overcoming, Persevering, Empowering
  • UnM.A.S.K. Men’s Group — Men Awakening, Surviving, and Knowing

Visit www.thepassagetopeace.com
and click Groups & Programs to learn more.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18270601 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2703 1 13 full false Who Has Custody of Your Mind? Breaking Free From Cognitive Dissonance Who Has Custody of Your Mind? Breaking Free From Cognitive Dissonance Share your comments with Marcia

This episode is a live recording from The Healing Room - my weekly live event where we gather every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to talk about healing, freedom, and breaking the cycles that keep us stuck.

Today's topic: Who has custody of your mind? You left. You blocked them. So why are you STILL thinking about them constantly? Why are you second-guessing your decision? Why does it feel like you're free physically but trapped mentally?

We're diving deep into the illusion of custody, cognitive dissonance after leaving a narcissist, and the exact steps you need to take to break FREE and reclaim your mind. Whether you're on day 1, day 10, or day 100 of no contact - this episode will give you the tools you need to move from leaving to TRUE freedom.

In This Episode:

  • The illusion of custody: what it means and why it matters
  • Cognitive dissonance explained and how it keeps you controlled
  • The three voices competing for your attention after you leave
  • How narcissists maintain mental custody (even after no contact)
  • Practical steps to break free and take back your mind

Want to join the conversation live? Find me on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram every Monday at 7 PM EST for The Healing Room. It's a safe, sacred space where healing happens together.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

This episode is a live recording from The Healing Room - my weekly live event where we gather every Monday at 7 PM EST on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to talk about healing, freedom, and breaking the cycles that keep us stuck.

Today's topic: Who has custody of your mind? You left. You blocked them. So why are you STILL thinking about them constantly? Why are you second-guessing your decision? Why does it feel like you're free physically but trapped mentally?

We're diving deep into the illusion of custody, cognitive dissonance after leaving a narcissist, and the exact steps you need to take to break FREE and reclaim your mind. Whether you're on day 1, day 10, or day 100 of no contact - this episode will give you the tools you need to move from leaving to TRUE freedom.

In This Episode:

  • The illusion of custody: what it means and why it matters
  • Cognitive dissonance explained and how it keeps you controlled
  • The three voices competing for your attention after you leave
  • How narcissists maintain mental custody (even after no contact)
  • Practical steps to break free and take back your mind

Want to join the conversation live? Find me on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram every Monday at 7 PM EST for The Healing Room. It's a safe, sacred space where healing happens together.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18219619 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:00:00 -0500 1465 1 12 full false The Transformation Trilogy Part 2: Living With the Narcissist — The Truth About Trauma Bonds and Survival The Transformation Trilogy Part 2: Living With the Narcissist — The Truth About Trauma Bonds and Survival Share your comments with Marcia

You know you should leave—but you can’t. At least not yet. You’ve prayed about it, planned for it, and bargained with yourself—but you’re still there.

In this second installment of The Transformation Trilogy, Marcia Williams, therapist and survivor, opens up about what it really means to live with a narcissist—the trauma bonds, the chemical addiction to chaos, and the mental tug-of-war between love and logic that keeps survivors stuck.

This isn’t about weakness. It’s about survival wiring.
In this raw, compassionate episode, Marcia explains the biological and emotional patterns that trap survivors in toxic cycles—and offers real strategies to protect your peace while you’re still in it.

You’ll learn:

  • Why trauma bonds make leaving feel impossible
  • How your nervous system becomes addicted to the cycle of chaos and calm
  • Why “hope” can be both a lifeline and a trap
  • How to create micro-boundaries and quiet resistance
  • How to start your healing journey while you’re still in the relationship

If you’ve ever asked, “Why do I stay?” or “Why do I still love someone who hurts me?”—this episode will finally help it all make sense.

Journal Prompt:
What does peace look like for me right now—even if nothing around me changes?

Stay tuned for Part 3, where Marcia walks you through how to move from surviving to reclaiming your power using her signature P.E.A.C.E. Method™.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

You know you should leave—but you can’t. At least not yet. You’ve prayed about it, planned for it, and bargained with yourself—but you’re still there.

In this second installment of The Transformation Trilogy, Marcia Williams, therapist and survivor, opens up about what it really means to live with a narcissist—the trauma bonds, the chemical addiction to chaos, and the mental tug-of-war between love and logic that keeps survivors stuck.

This isn’t about weakness. It’s about survival wiring.
In this raw, compassionate episode, Marcia explains the biological and emotional patterns that trap survivors in toxic cycles—and offers real strategies to protect your peace while you’re still in it.

You’ll learn:

  • Why trauma bonds make leaving feel impossible
  • How your nervous system becomes addicted to the cycle of chaos and calm
  • Why “hope” can be both a lifeline and a trap
  • How to create micro-boundaries and quiet resistance
  • How to start your healing journey while you’re still in the relationship

If you’ve ever asked, “Why do I stay?” or “Why do I still love someone who hurts me?”—this episode will finally help it all make sense.

Journal Prompt:
What does peace look like for me right now—even if nothing around me changes?

Stay tuned for Part 3, where Marcia walks you through how to move from surviving to reclaiming your power using her signature P.E.A.C.E. Method™.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18185270 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:00:00 -0500 3057 1 11 full true The Mirror and the Mask: Kaitie Entrikin on Rediscovering the Woman Beneath the Wounds The Mirror and the Mask: Kaitie Entrikin on Rediscovering the Woman Beneath the Wounds Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams, LPC, sits down with life coach, podcaster, and survivor Kaitie Entrikin — founder of Beautiful Beasts Within Studios — for a raw, honest, and often surprisingly joyful conversation about life after narcissistic abuse.

Kaitie’s story is one of deep pain transformed into radiant purpose. She opens up about her early years in a relationship that began when she was just sixteen, the subtle red flags she didn’t recognize at the time, and the heartbreaking — yet awakening — moment when a simple argument over a Hot Pocket became the catalyst for her freedom.

But this isn’t just a story about leaving. It’s a story about becoming. Kaitie reveals how she used laughter, empathy, and self-reflection as tools for survival — and later, for healing. Together, she and Marcia unpack the complexities of recovery: the messy middle, the self-blame, the false starts, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing yourself, one day at a time.

They explore what it truly means to heal from narcissistic abuse — not by erasing the past, but by learning to embrace it with compassion. Kaitie shares how she moved from seeing herself as broken to recognizing her own beauty, power, and resilience. Today, she helps others do the same through her coaching work, guiding people to heal their relationship with food, their bodies, and most importantly, themselves.

Throughout this heartfelt exchange, you’ll hear wisdom, laughter, and those deeply resonant moments that make you stop and breathe. Marcia and Kaitie discuss the importance of revisiting your younger self with love, the role of therapy and self-awareness in long-term healing, and how our past pain often becomes the soil from which purpose grows.

If you’ve ever wondered why you stayed, why it still hurts, or when you’ll finally feel like yourself again — this conversation will meet you where you are and remind you that healing isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about walking through it, learning to hold space for your emotions, and rediscovering the powerful, worthy, and courageous version of you that has been there all along.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. But most importantly, you’ll leave knowing this: your healing isn’t linear, but it is yours.

Listen to this episode to learn:

  • Why laughter can be a bridge from pain to healing
  • How to recognize early red flags you might have ignored
  • The truth about self-blame and why survivors stay
  • How to reconnect with your inner child and reclaim your voice
  • The power of seeing your “beautiful beast within” as your greatest strength

Journal Prompt of the Week:
“What part of my true self have I been hiding to keep the peace — and what would it look like to let her speak again?”

Connect with Kaitie Entrikin:

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams, LPC, sits down with life coach, podcaster, and survivor Kaitie Entrikin — founder of Beautiful Beasts Within Studios — for a raw, honest, and often surprisingly joyful conversation about life after narcissistic abuse.

Kaitie’s story is one of deep pain transformed into radiant purpose. She opens up about her early years in a relationship that began when she was just sixteen, the subtle red flags she didn’t recognize at the time, and the heartbreaking — yet awakening — moment when a simple argument over a Hot Pocket became the catalyst for her freedom.

But this isn’t just a story about leaving. It’s a story about becoming. Kaitie reveals how she used laughter, empathy, and self-reflection as tools for survival — and later, for healing. Together, she and Marcia unpack the complexities of recovery: the messy middle, the self-blame, the false starts, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing yourself, one day at a time.

They explore what it truly means to heal from narcissistic abuse — not by erasing the past, but by learning to embrace it with compassion. Kaitie shares how she moved from seeing herself as broken to recognizing her own beauty, power, and resilience. Today, she helps others do the same through her coaching work, guiding people to heal their relationship with food, their bodies, and most importantly, themselves.

Throughout this heartfelt exchange, you’ll hear wisdom, laughter, and those deeply resonant moments that make you stop and breathe. Marcia and Kaitie discuss the importance of revisiting your younger self with love, the role of therapy and self-awareness in long-term healing, and how our past pain often becomes the soil from which purpose grows.

If you’ve ever wondered why you stayed, why it still hurts, or when you’ll finally feel like yourself again — this conversation will meet you where you are and remind you that healing isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about walking through it, learning to hold space for your emotions, and rediscovering the powerful, worthy, and courageous version of you that has been there all along.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. But most importantly, you’ll leave knowing this: your healing isn’t linear, but it is yours.

Listen to this episode to learn:

  • Why laughter can be a bridge from pain to healing
  • How to recognize early red flags you might have ignored
  • The truth about self-blame and why survivors stay
  • How to reconnect with your inner child and reclaim your voice
  • The power of seeing your “beautiful beast within” as your greatest strength

Journal Prompt of the Week:
“What part of my true self have I been hiding to keep the peace — and what would it look like to let her speak again?”

Connect with Kaitie Entrikin:

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]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18043315 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2028 1 10 full false The Transformation Trilogy Part 1: Narcissist’s New Supply: Why It Hurts So Bad and How to Heal The Transformation Trilogy Part 1: Narcissist’s New Supply: Why It Hurts So Bad and How to Heal Share your comments with Marcia

When the narcissist moves on quickly — posting pictures, declaring “new love,” or playing house with someone else — it can feel like a punch to the gut. You start asking: Was I ever loved? Was any of it real? Why does this hurt so much when I know they were toxic?

In this raw and deeply personal episode, Licensed Therapist and Survivor Marcia Williams, LPC, breaks down what’s really happening when a narcissist replaces you — and why your pain is not weakness, but a normal nervous system response to emotional warfare.

You’ll learn:

  • Why narcissists move on so quickly (and what it really means)
  • How to understand your pain through the lens of trauma bonding
  • The neuroscience of heartbreak after abuse
  • How to start healing through boundaries, reality rehearsal, and compassion

If you’ve ever felt erased or replaced, this episode will help you find meaning in the madness and begin reclaiming peace.

Resources:

  • Women’s H.O.P.E.™ Group — a private circle for women still in difficult marriages
  • P2P Essentials Waitlist — join the next 7-week healing cohort
  • Journal Prompt of the Week: “What truth did I ignore that I can no longer deny?”
    Use the hashtag #TheHealingLoungePrompt and tag @PassageToPeace to share your reflection.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

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]]> Share your comments with Marcia

When the narcissist moves on quickly — posting pictures, declaring “new love,” or playing house with someone else — it can feel like a punch to the gut. You start asking: Was I ever loved? Was any of it real? Why does this hurt so much when I know they were toxic?

In this raw and deeply personal episode, Licensed Therapist and Survivor Marcia Williams, LPC, breaks down what’s really happening when a narcissist replaces you — and why your pain is not weakness, but a normal nervous system response to emotional warfare.

You’ll learn:

  • Why narcissists move on so quickly (and what it really means)
  • How to understand your pain through the lens of trauma bonding
  • The neuroscience of heartbreak after abuse
  • How to start healing through boundaries, reality rehearsal, and compassion

If you’ve ever felt erased or replaced, this episode will help you find meaning in the madness and begin reclaiming peace.

Resources:

  • Women’s H.O.P.E.™ Group — a private circle for women still in difficult marriages
  • P2P Essentials Waitlist — join the next 7-week healing cohort
  • Journal Prompt of the Week: “What truth did I ignore that I can no longer deny?”
    Use the hashtag #TheHealingLoungePrompt and tag @PassageToPeace to share your reflection.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Buzzsprout-18100055 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400 1337 1 9 full false From Surviving to Thriving (Part 2) — Choosing Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse with Tarisha Fields From Surviving to Thriving (Part 2) — Choosing Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse with Tarisha Fields Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful continuation of her story, Tarisha Fields returns to The Healing Lounge to share what life looks like after survival — the deep, unfiltered truth about choosing herself, setting boundaries, and learning to love without apology.

Once trapped in the cycle of toxic relationships, people-pleasing, and self-sacrifice, Tarisha reveals how awareness, community, and self-trust became the foundation for her transformation. From her breathwork and journaling practices to her courageous decision to live in Costa Rica, she shows what it means to turn pain into purpose and fear into freedom.

Together, we explore:

  • How to move from awareness to application in healing
  • The power of self-talk and inner validation
  • Breaking the guilt cycle around self-care
  • Reclaiming boundaries as acts of survival
  • Why community is essential for lasting recovery
  • And how loving yourself changes everything you attract

Tarisha’s story is a radiant example of what’s possible when you stop surviving and start thriving.

If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like on the other side of narcissistic abuse — this episode is your proof that peace, joy, and purpose are waiting for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Passage to Peace Essentials™ Program — Join the next healing cohort at www.PassagetoPeace.com
  • Tarisha’s coaching and community: Empower Her Within
  • The Healing Lounge Journal Prompt of the Week: “What decision have you been avoiding that could move you from surviving to thriving?

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

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Find me on Psychology Today!

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]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful continuation of her story, Tarisha Fields returns to The Healing Lounge to share what life looks like after survival — the deep, unfiltered truth about choosing herself, setting boundaries, and learning to love without apology.

Once trapped in the cycle of toxic relationships, people-pleasing, and self-sacrifice, Tarisha reveals how awareness, community, and self-trust became the foundation for her transformation. From her breathwork and journaling practices to her courageous decision to live in Costa Rica, she shows what it means to turn pain into purpose and fear into freedom.

Together, we explore:

  • How to move from awareness to application in healing
  • The power of self-talk and inner validation
  • Breaking the guilt cycle around self-care
  • Reclaiming boundaries as acts of survival
  • Why community is essential for lasting recovery
  • And how loving yourself changes everything you attract

Tarisha’s story is a radiant example of what’s possible when you stop surviving and start thriving.

If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like on the other side of narcissistic abuse — this episode is your proof that peace, joy, and purpose are waiting for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Passage to Peace Essentials™ Program — Join the next healing cohort at www.PassagetoPeace.com
  • Tarisha’s coaching and community: Empower Her Within
  • The Healing Lounge Journal Prompt of the Week: “What decision have you been avoiding that could move you from surviving to thriving?

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

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]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18073873 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400 2737 1 8 full false From Survivor to Thriver: Tarisha’s Journey to Freedom and Forgiveness From Survivor to Thriver: Tarisha’s Journey to Freedom and Forgiveness Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams sits down with yoga instructor, meditation guide, and life coach Tarisha Fields, whose story of survival and self-reclamation after narcissistic abuse will move you to your core. 

What begins as a conversation between two women who’ve walked similar paths unfolds into a raw and heartfelt journey through love, loss, self-discovery, and freedom. 

For 17 years, Tarisha fought to hold together a marriage built on emotional manipulation and betrayal. Like so many survivors, she believed love could fix everything — if she just gave more, sacrificed more, and stayed loyal enough, it would finally be enough. But behind her strength and smile was quiet misery — a woman carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs while silently losing herself. 

When her husband left, she hit rock bottom — collapsing on her mother’s porch, praying for strength to survive. That breakdown became her breakthrough. What followed was years of rebuilding, self-reflection, and ultimately, rebirth. 

In this candid interview, Tarisha opens up about: 

  • The patterns of over-giving, people-pleasing, and rescuing that kept her trapped in cycles of pain 
  • The moment of surrender that changed everything and began her true healing journey 
  • How she unknowingly entered another narcissistic relationship — and what finally woke her up 
  • Why she says, “My healing began when I finally made it all about me.” 
  • The daily tools that sustain her peace — yoga, breathwork, journaling, and community 
  • The power of self-forgiveness and why you must forgive yourself before you can forgive them 
  • How she now helps other women heal through her business, Empower Her Within, and her book Her Inner Place: A 60-Day Journey to Cultivating Self-Love, Self-Awareness, and Self-Acceptance 

This episode is a love letter to every woman who has ever stayed too long, loved too hard, or lost herself trying to fix someone else. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about permission. Permission to pause, to breathe, to listen, and to start again. 

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why do I keep ending up in these kinds of relationships?” or “How do I begin to trust myself again?” — Tarisha’s story will remind you that peace is not only possible — it’s waiting for you. 

Tune in, take notes, and take heart — because your healing begins the moment you decide to make it all about you. 

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

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Find me on Psychology Today!

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]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this powerful episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams sits down with yoga instructor, meditation guide, and life coach Tarisha Fields, whose story of survival and self-reclamation after narcissistic abuse will move you to your core. 

What begins as a conversation between two women who’ve walked similar paths unfolds into a raw and heartfelt journey through love, loss, self-discovery, and freedom. 

For 17 years, Tarisha fought to hold together a marriage built on emotional manipulation and betrayal. Like so many survivors, she believed love could fix everything — if she just gave more, sacrificed more, and stayed loyal enough, it would finally be enough. But behind her strength and smile was quiet misery — a woman carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs while silently losing herself. 

When her husband left, she hit rock bottom — collapsing on her mother’s porch, praying for strength to survive. That breakdown became her breakthrough. What followed was years of rebuilding, self-reflection, and ultimately, rebirth. 

In this candid interview, Tarisha opens up about: 

  • The patterns of over-giving, people-pleasing, and rescuing that kept her trapped in cycles of pain 
  • The moment of surrender that changed everything and began her true healing journey 
  • How she unknowingly entered another narcissistic relationship — and what finally woke her up 
  • Why she says, “My healing began when I finally made it all about me.” 
  • The daily tools that sustain her peace — yoga, breathwork, journaling, and community 
  • The power of self-forgiveness and why you must forgive yourself before you can forgive them 
  • How she now helps other women heal through her business, Empower Her Within, and her book Her Inner Place: A 60-Day Journey to Cultivating Self-Love, Self-Awareness, and Self-Acceptance 

This episode is a love letter to every woman who has ever stayed too long, loved too hard, or lost herself trying to fix someone else. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about permission. Permission to pause, to breathe, to listen, and to start again. 

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why do I keep ending up in these kinds of relationships?” or “How do I begin to trust myself again?” — Tarisha’s story will remind you that peace is not only possible — it’s waiting for you. 

Tune in, take notes, and take heart — because your healing begins the moment you decide to make it all about you. 

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18024480 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2299 1 7 full false 7 Steps to Leaving a Narcissist Part 2 7 Steps to Leaving a Narcissist Part 2 Share your comments with Marcia

If you listened to Part 1, you know we covered the hardest part — waking up to the truth, letting go of the fantasy, and quietly planning your exit.

But once you leave the narcissist, a whole new journey begins.
 In Part 2, Licensed Therapist and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Marcia Williams opens up about the next four steps — the part no one prepares you for:

  • Step 4: Protecting the Kids — Breaking the cycle without breaking them, and creating emotional safety when the narcissist uses your children as leverage.
  • Step 5: Don’t Expect Closure — Why accountability never comes and how to find peace without it.
  • Step 6: The Withdrawal — Surviving the hoovering, the silence, and the emotional crash that comes after you leave.
  • Step 7: Rebuilding You — Rediscovering who you are beyond survival, facing the shame, and learning to live free again.

Marcia shares the raw, real parts of her story — what it felt like to start over in her best friend’s basement, to face life 1,000 miles away from everything familiar, and to finally begin rebuilding her identity and peace.

If you’ve left a narcissist and you’re wondering “What now?” — this episode will remind you that healing isn’t about going back to who you were. It’s about becoming who you were meant to be.

And if this series spoke to you, I want to invite you deeper into this healing work.

You can start by reading my book “Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse.”

Or, if you’re ready for guided support, join my 7-Week Passage to Peace Program, where survivors just like you learn to heal, rebuild, and reconnect with themselves in a safe community.

You don’t have to do this alone — your healing begins the moment you decide you deserve peace more than you fear change.


Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

If you listened to Part 1, you know we covered the hardest part — waking up to the truth, letting go of the fantasy, and quietly planning your exit.

But once you leave the narcissist, a whole new journey begins.
 In Part 2, Licensed Therapist and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Marcia Williams opens up about the next four steps — the part no one prepares you for:

  • Step 4: Protecting the Kids — Breaking the cycle without breaking them, and creating emotional safety when the narcissist uses your children as leverage.
  • Step 5: Don’t Expect Closure — Why accountability never comes and how to find peace without it.
  • Step 6: The Withdrawal — Surviving the hoovering, the silence, and the emotional crash that comes after you leave.
  • Step 7: Rebuilding You — Rediscovering who you are beyond survival, facing the shame, and learning to live free again.

Marcia shares the raw, real parts of her story — what it felt like to start over in her best friend’s basement, to face life 1,000 miles away from everything familiar, and to finally begin rebuilding her identity and peace.

If you’ve left a narcissist and you’re wondering “What now?” — this episode will remind you that healing isn’t about going back to who you were. It’s about becoming who you were meant to be.

And if this series spoke to you, I want to invite you deeper into this healing work.

You can start by reading my book “Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse.”

Or, if you’re ready for guided support, join my 7-Week Passage to Peace Program, where survivors just like you learn to heal, rebuild, and reconnect with themselves in a safe community.

You don’t have to do this alone — your healing begins the moment you decide you deserve peace more than you fear change.


Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-18012738 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400 3669 1 6 full false 7 Steps to Leave a Narcissist (and How I Did It) — Part 1 7 Steps to Leave a Narcissist (and How I Did It) — Part 1 Share your comments with Marcia

Leaving a narcissist isn’t about packing a bag — it’s about reclaiming your mind, your power, and your peace.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I just walk away?” — or if you’ve left but still feel that emotional pull that keeps you wondering if you made the right choice — this episode is for you.

In this first part of the series, Licensed Therapist and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Marcia Williams walks you through the first three steps that helped her move from confusion to clarity, from fear to freedom:

  • Step 1: The Wake-Up Call — Seeing the truth through the fog and recognizing emotional abuse for what it really is.
  • Step 2: Emotional Detachment — Letting go of the fantasy and beginning to separate emotionally before you ever leave.
  • Step 3: Safety First — Quietly planning your exit, starting in your mind long before you ever walk out the door.

Marcia continues to pull back the curtain on her own story — the tears, the fear, the phone bills, the kids, the basement, and the slow climb back to peace.
 These are the same steps she now uses to help hundreds of survivors break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild their lives.

So grab your journal, take a deep breath, and settle in.
 By the end of this episode, you’ll know this truth: you can leave, you can heal, and you can rebuild your life one courageous step at a time.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Marcia continues with the final steps — protecting your kids, releasing the need for closure, surviving the withdrawal, and reclaiming your peace.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Book: Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse
  • Join the 7-Week Passage to Peace Program → www.thepassagetopeace.com
  • Free resource: The Trauma Bond Breaker Checklist

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

Leaving a narcissist isn’t about packing a bag — it’s about reclaiming your mind, your power, and your peace.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I just walk away?” — or if you’ve left but still feel that emotional pull that keeps you wondering if you made the right choice — this episode is for you.

In this first part of the series, Licensed Therapist and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Marcia Williams walks you through the first three steps that helped her move from confusion to clarity, from fear to freedom:

  • Step 1: The Wake-Up Call — Seeing the truth through the fog and recognizing emotional abuse for what it really is.
  • Step 2: Emotional Detachment — Letting go of the fantasy and beginning to separate emotionally before you ever leave.
  • Step 3: Safety First — Quietly planning your exit, starting in your mind long before you ever walk out the door.

Marcia continues to pull back the curtain on her own story — the tears, the fear, the phone bills, the kids, the basement, and the slow climb back to peace.
 These are the same steps she now uses to help hundreds of survivors break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild their lives.

So grab your journal, take a deep breath, and settle in.
 By the end of this episode, you’ll know this truth: you can leave, you can heal, and you can rebuild your life one courageous step at a time.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Marcia continues with the final steps — protecting your kids, releasing the need for closure, surviving the withdrawal, and reclaiming your peace.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Book: Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse
  • Join the 7-Week Passage to Peace Program → www.thepassagetopeace.com
  • Free resource: The Trauma Bond Breaker Checklist

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-17971528 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400 2372 Mental Health, Healing & Recovery, Relationships, Narcissistic Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Trauma Recovery, Personal Growth, Survivor Stories 1 5 full false Trusting Myself Again: Paul’s Breakthrough After 26 Years of Narcissistic Abuse Trusting Myself Again: Paul’s Breakthrough After 26 Years of Narcissistic Abuse Share your comments with Marcia

What does it take to finally trust yourself again after decades of gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse? In this powerful episode of The Healing Lounge, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow survivor, Paul, to explore that very question.

Paul spent 26 years married to a covert, passive-aggressive narcissist. Like so many survivors, he spent much of that time questioning himself, taking the blame, and desperately trying to “fix” what was never his to fix. Therapy sessions left him labeled as the problem. Friends and family pulled away. Isolation, self-doubt, and destructive patterns became his daily reality. And yet, deep inside, he knew something wasn’t right.

When Paul stumbled across the term DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), everything began to click. Suddenly, the chaos wasn’t random — it was a predictable system of manipulation. For the first time, he had language for what he had endured. And once he saw it, he could never unsee it.

In this conversation, Paul bravely shares how he moved from denial to awareness, from isolation to community, and from doubt to a new, unshakable trust in himself. We talk about:

  • How trauma bonds and survival mode kept him stuck for decades
  • The moment he realized he deserved more than breadcrumbs of love
  • Why DARVO is one of the most insidious tactics of narcissistic abuse
  • How community support and safe groups became his lifeline
  • The inner child work that helped him finally release guilt and shame
  • What it means to hold someone accountable without losing yourself
  • And the courage it takes to say: I know what it feels like to be loved — and this isn’t it.

Paul’s story is raw, emotional, and incredibly validating for anyone who has ever doubted their reality or felt like they were “the problem.” His vulnerability is a gift to every survivor who listens, and his breakthrough is a reminder that healing isn’t just possible — it’s worth it.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I crazy? Is it me?” — this episode will show you that you are not alone, and you are not broken. You are capable of reclaiming your peace, your power, and your truth.

  • Learn more about DARVO and how to protect yourself in my DARVO vs. P.E.A.C.E.™ Mini-Course .
  • Ready for deeper healing? Join my signature Passage to Peace 7-Week Program, where survivors walk step by step through recovery with tools, community, and guidance. 
  • Explore my support groups, including circles for women, adult children of narcissistic parents, and survivors reentering dating after abuse. 
  • Grab my book Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse to dive deeper into my personal journey.

The Healing Lounge is more than a podcast — it’s a sanctuary. A truth-telling space where survivors become thrivers. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode that could change everything.

Your voice. Your healing. Your destiny.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

What does it take to finally trust yourself again after decades of gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse? In this powerful episode of The Healing Lounge, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow survivor, Paul, to explore that very question.

Paul spent 26 years married to a covert, passive-aggressive narcissist. Like so many survivors, he spent much of that time questioning himself, taking the blame, and desperately trying to “fix” what was never his to fix. Therapy sessions left him labeled as the problem. Friends and family pulled away. Isolation, self-doubt, and destructive patterns became his daily reality. And yet, deep inside, he knew something wasn’t right.

When Paul stumbled across the term DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), everything began to click. Suddenly, the chaos wasn’t random — it was a predictable system of manipulation. For the first time, he had language for what he had endured. And once he saw it, he could never unsee it.

In this conversation, Paul bravely shares how he moved from denial to awareness, from isolation to community, and from doubt to a new, unshakable trust in himself. We talk about:

  • How trauma bonds and survival mode kept him stuck for decades
  • The moment he realized he deserved more than breadcrumbs of love
  • Why DARVO is one of the most insidious tactics of narcissistic abuse
  • How community support and safe groups became his lifeline
  • The inner child work that helped him finally release guilt and shame
  • What it means to hold someone accountable without losing yourself
  • And the courage it takes to say: I know what it feels like to be loved — and this isn’t it.

Paul’s story is raw, emotional, and incredibly validating for anyone who has ever doubted their reality or felt like they were “the problem.” His vulnerability is a gift to every survivor who listens, and his breakthrough is a reminder that healing isn’t just possible — it’s worth it.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I crazy? Is it me?” — this episode will show you that you are not alone, and you are not broken. You are capable of reclaiming your peace, your power, and your truth.

  • Learn more about DARVO and how to protect yourself in my DARVO vs. P.E.A.C.E.™ Mini-Course .
  • Ready for deeper healing? Join my signature Passage to Peace 7-Week Program, where survivors walk step by step through recovery with tools, community, and guidance. 
  • Explore my support groups, including circles for women, adult children of narcissistic parents, and survivors reentering dating after abuse. 
  • Grab my book Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse to dive deeper into my personal journey.

The Healing Lounge is more than a podcast — it’s a sanctuary. A truth-telling space where survivors become thrivers. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode that could change everything.

Your voice. Your healing. Your destiny.

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-17950632 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0400 2022 Mental Health, Healing & Recovery, Relationships, Narcissistic Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Trauma Recovery, Personal Growth, Survivor Stories 1 4 full false GROOMED — A Survivor’s Story of Empowerment GROOMED — A Survivor’s Story of Empowerment Share your comments with Marcia

In this deeply personal episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams—licensed therapist, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, and survivor—shares the raw truth of her 30-year marriage to a narcissist. For the first time on the podcast, Marcia steps fully into her own story, joined by her sister for an intimate interview about the journey that inspired her book, GROOMED: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse.

Marcia opens up about the shame she carried in silence, the heartbreaking reality of reactive abuse, and the fear of telling the truth about her marriage. She reveals the hardest part of writing GROOMED: being brutally honest about her most painful, hidden experiences. Yet through that honesty, she discovered the power of vulnerability and the freedom that comes when we break the silence.

This episode is more than a survivor’s story—it’s a guidepost of hope for anyone who has felt trapped, silenced, or broken by narcissistic abuse. Marcia’s healing journey reminds us that while leaving may feel impossible, peace and freedom are real and attainable. She explains how breaking trauma bonds, reclaiming her voice, and building community were vital steps in moving from surviving to thriving.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • The reality of living in a marriage with a narcissist—and why leaving isn’t simple.
  • What reactive abuse is, and why survivors often carry misplaced shame for it.
  • The courage it takes to tell your story and write about taboo experiences.
  • How breaking trauma bonds opens the door to peace and empowerment.
  • Why sharing personal stories helps survivors everywhere feel less alone.
  • How Marcia now uses her journey to help others reclaim their identity and freedom.

If you’ve ever felt isolated in your pain, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone—and that healing is possible.

Marcia now walks alongside survivors through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and her Passage to Peace community. 

Keywords: narcissistic abuse, healing journey, empowerment, Marcia Williams, GROOMED, trauma bonds, reactive abuse, survivor story


Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this deeply personal episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams—licensed therapist, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, and survivor—shares the raw truth of her 30-year marriage to a narcissist. For the first time on the podcast, Marcia steps fully into her own story, joined by her sister for an intimate interview about the journey that inspired her book, GROOMED: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse.

Marcia opens up about the shame she carried in silence, the heartbreaking reality of reactive abuse, and the fear of telling the truth about her marriage. She reveals the hardest part of writing GROOMED: being brutally honest about her most painful, hidden experiences. Yet through that honesty, she discovered the power of vulnerability and the freedom that comes when we break the silence.

This episode is more than a survivor’s story—it’s a guidepost of hope for anyone who has felt trapped, silenced, or broken by narcissistic abuse. Marcia’s healing journey reminds us that while leaving may feel impossible, peace and freedom are real and attainable. She explains how breaking trauma bonds, reclaiming her voice, and building community were vital steps in moving from surviving to thriving.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • The reality of living in a marriage with a narcissist—and why leaving isn’t simple.
  • What reactive abuse is, and why survivors often carry misplaced shame for it.
  • The courage it takes to tell your story and write about taboo experiences.
  • How breaking trauma bonds opens the door to peace and empowerment.
  • Why sharing personal stories helps survivors everywhere feel less alone.
  • How Marcia now uses her journey to help others reclaim their identity and freedom.

If you’ve ever felt isolated in your pain, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone—and that healing is possible.

Marcia now walks alongside survivors through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and her Passage to Peace community. 

Keywords: narcissistic abuse, healing journey, empowerment, Marcia Williams, GROOMED, trauma bonds, reactive abuse, survivor story


Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

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Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

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Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-17938142 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2070 1 3 full false Why Leaving a Narcissist Feels Impossible (and Why You’re Not Weak) Why Leaving a Narcissist Feels Impossible (and Why You’re Not Weak) Share your comments with Marcia

Have you ever heard the question, “If it’s so bad, why don’t you just leave?”

In this episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams—licensed therapist, author, and survivor of a 30-year marriage to a narcissist—breaks down why leaving isn’t that simple. From trauma bonds and finances to faith, shame, and children, Marcia unpacks the very real barriers that keep survivors stuck and the shame that follows them.

You’ll learn why staying doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. And you’ll leave with tools, affirmations, and a powerful reframe to remind you: you’re not failing, you’re surviving.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • The truth behind the “why don’t you just leave?” question
  • The five most common reasons survivors stay (and why they make sense)
  • How trauma bonds trap the brain and body
  • The difference between weakness and survival
  • A journal prompt + affirmation to start reclaiming your power

Resources & Next Steps:

  • Learn more at thepassagetopeace.com
  • Get support through one-on-one coaching, groups, and our survivor community
  • Follow Marcia on social media for daily encouragement (links in show notes)
  • Join her live every Monday night at 7 PM EST on all social media platforms for real-time coaching and conversation

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode!

Oh, wait.... Dont' forget your FREE COMPANION GUIDE!

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

Have you ever heard the question, “If it’s so bad, why don’t you just leave?”

In this episode of The Healing Lounge, Marcia Williams—licensed therapist, author, and survivor of a 30-year marriage to a narcissist—breaks down why leaving isn’t that simple. From trauma bonds and finances to faith, shame, and children, Marcia unpacks the very real barriers that keep survivors stuck and the shame that follows them.

You’ll learn why staying doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. And you’ll leave with tools, affirmations, and a powerful reframe to remind you: you’re not failing, you’re surviving.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • The truth behind the “why don’t you just leave?” question
  • The five most common reasons survivors stay (and why they make sense)
  • How trauma bonds trap the brain and body
  • The difference between weakness and survival
  • A journal prompt + affirmation to start reclaiming your power

Resources & Next Steps:

  • Learn more at thepassagetopeace.com
  • Get support through one-on-one coaching, groups, and our survivor community
  • Follow Marcia on social media for daily encouragement (links in show notes)
  • Join her live every Monday night at 7 PM EST on all social media platforms for real-time coaching and conversation

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode!

Oh, wait.... Dont' forget your FREE COMPANION GUIDE!

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-17927023 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400 1378 1 2 full false Survivor. Therapist. Truth-Teller. Meet Marcia Williams Survivor. Therapist. Truth-Teller. Meet Marcia Williams Share your comments with Marcia

In this very first episode of The Healing Lounge, host Marcia Williams opens up about her journey — from surviving a 30-year marriage to a narcissist to becoming a licensed therapist dedicated to helping others heal.

Marcia shares her personal story of pain, awakening, and resilience, and why she created The Healing Lounge as a safe space for survivors to finally exhale. You’ll hear what to expect from this season, from taboo conversations about abuse to practical tools for healing, and why your story matters too.

Reflection Question: What’s one part of your story you’ve never told out loud, but know it’s time to honor?

If this episode speaks to you, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with someone who needs encouragement on their healing journey.

Takeaways

Marcia is a licensed therapist and a survivor of narcissistic abuse.
The podcast aims to share experiences of pain and healing.
Childhood trauma can impact adult relationships.
Recognizing red flags in relationships is crucial.
Compartmentalization can be a coping mechanism in abusive relationships.
Healing is a non-linear process that requires support.
Community and validation are essential in the healing journey.
Marcia's story serves as a beacon of hope for others.
Healing can begin even before leaving an abusive relationship.
The podcast will cover taboo topics related to narcissistic abuse.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Healing Lounge Podcast
01:59 Marcia's Journey: Before the Storm
06:36 Inside the Storm: The Relationship Begins
12:48 The Aftermath: Awakening and Realization
17:02 The Healing Journey: Finding Strength and Support
19:50 What to Expect in The Healing Lounge

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Share your comments with Marcia

In this very first episode of The Healing Lounge, host Marcia Williams opens up about her journey — from surviving a 30-year marriage to a narcissist to becoming a licensed therapist dedicated to helping others heal.

Marcia shares her personal story of pain, awakening, and resilience, and why she created The Healing Lounge as a safe space for survivors to finally exhale. You’ll hear what to expect from this season, from taboo conversations about abuse to practical tools for healing, and why your story matters too.

Reflection Question: What’s one part of your story you’ve never told out loud, but know it’s time to honor?

If this episode speaks to you, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with someone who needs encouragement on their healing journey.

Takeaways

Marcia is a licensed therapist and a survivor of narcissistic abuse.
The podcast aims to share experiences of pain and healing.
Childhood trauma can impact adult relationships.
Recognizing red flags in relationships is crucial.
Compartmentalization can be a coping mechanism in abusive relationships.
Healing is a non-linear process that requires support.
Community and validation are essential in the healing journey.
Marcia's story serves as a beacon of hope for others.
Healing can begin even before leaving an abusive relationship.
The podcast will cover taboo topics related to narcissistic abuse.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Healing Lounge Podcast
01:59 Marcia's Journey: Before the Storm
06:36 Inside the Storm: The Relationship Begins
12:48 The Aftermath: Awakening and Realization
17:02 The Healing Journey: Finding Strength and Support
19:50 What to Expect in The Healing Lounge

Support the show

Get "GROOMED"

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow me on Tiktok!

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Follow me on Linkden!

Find me on Psychology Today!

Learn more about our programs and services!

]]> Marcia Williams, LPC | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach Buzzsprout-17863182 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400 1416 narcissism, narcissistic abuse, recovery, healing, trauma bond, manipulation, covert narcissist 1 1 full false