Healing From the Cycle of Codependency, Narcissistic Abuse, and Self Destructive Behavior

We kick off the episode with Sherry’s secret behind that Fountain of Youth looking glow. Then, we are joined by Lisa Ferentz, clinical social worker, author, and psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over 30 years. Lisa is an expert on helping people transcend trauma and toxic relationships to find their self-worth and inner sense of power. We talk with Lisa more about how to recognize a narcissist, why victims of abuse are not cowardly or weak, and why codependent people tend to rush into one destructive relationship after another. Lisa also provides some of her great resources for realizing the power you hold within yourself and letting go of self-destructive behaviors.   What You’ll Hear In This Episode:   A Love Fix Question about “dating yourself”! Why codependency and self-destructive relationships go together, and what keeps someone in the cycle of self-sabotage. Lisa’s workbooks and resources that help foster positive self talk, self compassion, and positive self care. The more independent we become, the more we focus inward and rely less on trying to focus outward and change others.  It takes a lot of courage for someone to leave an abusive or codependent relationship. Abusers tend to make their victims feel isolated and dependent, which further takes away their ability to find the resources needed to break away. Why codependent people have to really work at not getting into another relationship right away. How trauma can affect us differently based on the meaning and power we choose to give it. A glimpse into the brain of a true narcissist, and a surprising fact about just how many people in our society have narcissistic tendencies! How attachment, connection, and empathy for a narcissist just may not be possible, and if this is a result of nature, nurture, or both. Oftentimes, a codependent and narcissist will find each other and have a relationship that feels like a coexistence rather than a true intimacy. Men can be victims as well. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and support to be able to step away from a toxic or abusive relationship.   Tweetables:   “When you are in a codependent relationship, there is a real loss of a sense of self.” - Lisa “There is a reason why Bumble banned men taking mirror selfies on their app.” - Lisa “When you are in an abusive relationship, you are alone” - Lisa   Connect with Us!      The Love Fix | @thelovefixpodcast Wake up Recovery for Codependency, Love Addiction, and Toxic Relationships — $1 trial membership    The Love Fix Relationship Quiz      Get professional online counseling with BetterHelp by clicking here.  Thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode.    Sherry Website | Instagram | Facebook | Love Smacked | Wake Up Recovery for Codependents    Carla Website | Instagram | Facebook | Contagious Love | Online Dating Bootcamp    Lisa Ferentz Finding Your Ruby Slippers | The Ferentz Institute | Letting Go Of Self Destructive Behaviors     Find Out More:  Co-Dependents Anonymous  Al-Anon