About Brenda Stephens

Brenda Stephens, LPCC, LMHC, LPC: Brenda is a therapist, speaker, coach, and author working with survivors of narcissistic abuse for the past 16 years. We aim to help survivors heal, reclaim their lives, and learn how to avoid toxic relationships.

Why Narcissists Disrespect Your Privacy, Even in the Bathroom

If you grew up in a home with narcissistic dynamics, you may remember the feeling of never truly being alone. Even the bathroom wasn’t safe. I remember this vividly from my own childhood, doors didn’t mean

By |2025-09-12T12:44:31-07:00September 12th, 2025|Abuse, Control, Narcissist|0 Comments

When the Narcissist Sounds Heartbroken (But Isn’t)

Many survivors of narcissistic abuse ask me a version of the same question: “Why does my partner seem like the best friend to everyone else, always there for coworkers, neighbors, or buddies but when I was

By |2025-09-06T19:57:47-07:00September 6th, 2025|Education, Narcissist, Narcissistic Abuse|0 Comments

Limerence and Narcissistic Abuse: Why Obsession Isn’t Love

When you’ve lived through narcissistic abuse, the word love often feels complicated. Survivors describe early relationships with narcissists as intoxicating like nothing they’ve ever felt before. But in psychology, we have a name for this kind

By |2025-09-06T20:00:35-07:00September 1st, 2025|Education, Narcissist, Narcissistic Abuse|0 Comments

Are you An Empath? (You Probably Aren’t Just Attracting Narcissists)

Do You Consider Yourself an Empath? You Probably Aren’t Just Attracting Narcissists. If you’ve ever identified as an empath, chances are you’ve been told some version of this: “Empaths attract narcissists.” And while there’s some

By |2025-08-27T09:32:24-07:00August 23rd, 2025|Abuse, Empath, Narcissistic Abuse|0 Comments

Why Can’t I Stop Thinking About It? Understanding Rumination After Narcissistic Abuse

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same mental loop? Replaying arguments. Rewriting your responses. Questioning what really happened. Searching for the moment it all went wrong. This isn’t just overthinking. This is rumination. And

The Narcissist’s Image Game: Controlling the Story to Keep You Powerless

Explore strategies for dealing with the enabler of a narcissist in our blog 'Managing Relationships with the Enabler of a Narcissist: Navigating Complex Interactions'.

By |2025-08-04T12:18:26-07:00August 4th, 2025|Abuse, Control, Narcissist|0 Comments
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