No Visible Bruises

Trauma & Narcissism Redefined is to help women thrive after the devastating effects from the trauma of narcissistic abuse. Hosted by Caroline Strawson, best-selling author, speaker and award-winning Trauma Therapist & Coach and founder of the #1 Trauma Informed Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme using a unique integration of tools such as Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Hypnotherapy, Breath Work & Positive Psychology to help you move form Post Traumatic Stress To Post Traumatic Growth. The podcast is your safe space for support, education and awareness around gaslighting, trauma bonds, codependency, complex PTSD and surviving narcissistic abuse to thrive and flourish. This is your safe space where we understand anger, toxicity and the guilt you can feel from the narcissist and this podcast is designed to take you from trauma, struggle and pain to transformation, purpose & strength. You are not alone and we heal together.

My Survivor Story Of Covert Narcissistic Abuse - Divorce, Debt & Depression 06/03/2025

My Survivor Story Of Covert Narcissistic Abuse - Divorce, Debt & Depression In this powerful and personal episode, I share my own survivor story as a woman who lived through the devastation of covert narcissistic abuse. I open up about the day my life completely changed when my covert narcissistic ex walked out, leaving me with two children, over £70,000 of debt, and a nervous system in collapse. I spiralled into depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and eventually complex PTSD. I lost my home, my confidence, and for a long time, my sense of self. This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned their reality. Anyone who has been told it wasn’t abuse because there were no visible bruises snd anyone who has felt silenced, unseen, and deeply alone. You’ll hear about: • The subtle manipulations of a covert narcissist and how they break you down over time • The impact of emotional abuse on your identity, nervous system, and financial wellbeing • How post-separation abuse can be even more destructive than the relationship itself • The turning point in my healing and how I slowly rebuilt from the ground up This isn’t just a story of survival, it’s a story of reclaiming power. Whether you’re still in the thick of it or working through the long tail of trauma, I hope this episode gives you the courage to believe that healing is not only possible, it’s inevitable with the right support. Don’t ever be alone in your journey and make sure you come and join my private Facebook community, No Visible Bruises where you can connect with other survivors of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control: Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They do not substitute professional or medical advice. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in today’s episode, please consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for support. You’re not alone, and help is always available. /episode/index/show/thenarcissisticabuserecoverypodcast/id/36839325

Narcissistic Abuse, Food Noise & Metabolic Disorder 05/27/2025

My Childhood & Narcissistic Abuse Caused My Lyme Disease 05/13/2025

My Childhood & Narcissistic Abuse Caused My Lyme Disease This is not the kind of story that wraps up neatly with a bow. Rebecca Fraser’s story is raw, messy, and unfinished because healing after deep betrayal, family fracture, and years of abusive relationships with narcissists is never clean or simple. It’s the kind of survival story that digs into the parts most people don’t want to talk about, the shame, the loneliness, the repeated heartbreak, and the unbearable weight of carrying trauma in your body for years.In this episode, Rebecca shares her lived experience of growing up in a home torn apart by infidelity and addiction, being cast as the “problem child,” shuffled into foster care as a teenager, and entering a series of romantic relationships that only deepened her wounds. Alongside this emotional pain, she has been fighting a long battle with Lyme disease, a battle she believes was intensified by the unrelenting stress and trauma she endured.We explore the nervous system scars left by betrayal trauma, the painful roles children are assigned within dysfunctional families, and the long-term impact of being repeatedly gaslit, invalidated, and silenced not just by partners, but by family and community. Rebecca speaks openly about the heartbreak of losing friendships, the feeling of being “too much” for others, and the internal struggle of not trusting herself to choose safe people anymore. Don’t ever be alone in your journey and make sure you come and join my private Facebook community, No Visible Bruises where you can connect with other survivors of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control:https://www.facebook.com/groups/novisiblebruises. Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They do not substitute professional or medical advice. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in today’s episode, please consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for support. You’re not alone, and help is always available. /episode/index/show/thenarcissisticabuserecoverypodcast/id/36516630

Narcissistic Marriage, Alcoholic Mother & Emotionally Unavailable Father 04/29/2025

Narcissistic Marriage, Alcoholic Mother & Emotionally Unavailable Father In today’s episode, I sit down with Radka Crossley, an incredibly courageous woman whose story will stay with you long after the episode ends. Radka spent 18 years in an abusive marriage to a narcissist, but the roots of her pain began long before that. Raised by an alcoholic mother and an emotionally unavailable father, her nervous system was wired for survival from a very young age. Together, we explore how her early childhood environment shaped the parts of her that tolerated abuse, ignored red flags, and questioned her own worth. This episode is a powerful exploration of inner child wounding, attachment trauma, and how patterns of neglect and addiction in our upbringing can set the stage for toxic, coercive relationships later in life. Radka’s story is heartbreaking, raw, and full of insight but it’s also a story of resilience. You’ll hear how she began to slowly find her way back to herself, reclaiming her voice, and starting to understand that none of it was ever her fault. This one is especially for you if you’ve ever wondered, Why did I stay so long? Why do I keep attracting unavailable people? Why does this feel so familiar, even when it hurts? Radka’s story lifts the lid on the shame so many survivors carry and together, we bring compassion to the parts of her still holding the pain. This conversation will help you feel less alone and more seen in your own healing journey. Don’t ever be alone in your healing. Come and join my private Facebook community, No Visible Bruises, where you can connect with other survivors of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse, and coercive control: Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They do not substitute professional or medical advice. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in today’s episode, please consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for support. You’re not alone, and help is always available. /episode/index/show/thenarcissisticabuserecoverypodcast/id/36184750

Cocaine Numbed The Pain Of Narcissistic Abuse 04/22/2025

Narcissistic Abuse & Cheating - A True Story of Bigamy 04/15/2025

Narcissistic Abuse & Cheating - A True Story of Bigamy In our 2nd episode of my rebranded podcast, No Visible Bruises sharing real survivor stories of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control, I sit down with Sandra Dec. I knew this would be a raw yet familiar conversation about narcissistic abuse. But very quickly, her story unfolded into something far more complex, a web of betrayal, cheating, hidden pasts, and shocking truths that could rival any Netflix drama. What began as love was built on lies- bigamy, secret families, manipulation, and the slow erosion of self-worth. But Sandra’s story is not just about what happened to her. It’s about how she survived… and how she healed. In this episode, we explore how trauma lives in the body and how reconnecting with physical awareness and grounding practices can help you heal. We unpack the patterns of deception and narcissistic abuse that creep in over time, often rooted in childhood wounds and shaped by familiar dynamics from narcissistic parenting. We talk about emotional and financial abuse, the invisible kind, the slow self-sacrifice, the erosion of identity, the subtle control that doesn’t leave bruises. We go deep into the confusing experience of reactive abuse and self-blame, where victims are left doubting themselves more than their abuser. And we explore why leaving isn’t as simple as walking away and how survival responses, fear, physiology, and a longing for love can keep people stuck in places they know are breaking them. But this is also a story of rising. Of breaking generational cycles. Of embracing the shadow self and finding safety in truth, self-love, and the courage to reclaim identity. This episode is for anyone who has ever doubted their reality. Who’s ever stayed too long. Who has ever been cheated on. Who’s learning to trust themselves again. Sandra’s story will stay with you, not just because of the twists and turns, but because of her strength, her honesty, and the light she now shines for others. So take a deep breath, and press play. This one is powerful. Don’t ever be alone in your journey and make sure you come and join my private Facebook community, No Visible Bruises where you can connect with other survivors of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control . Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They do not substitute professional or medical advice. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in today’s episode, please consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for support. You’re not alone, and help is always available. /episode/index/show/thenarcissisticabuserecoverypodcast/id/36130110

Narcissistic Abuse Caused My Rheumatoid Arthritis 04/08/2025

Narcissistic Abuse Caused My Rheumatoid Arthritis Today marks the launch of our rebranded podcast, No Visible Bruises sharing real survivor stories of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control, and the long-lasting physiological impact of trauma not just the psychological. In our very first episode, we sit down with Kirstie Haysman, who bravely shares her experience of narcissistic abuse and how it intertwines with her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This conversation is one not to miss. We explore: • How chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, IBS and others can be linked to the trauma of relational abuse • What happens in the body when we are exposed to long-term stress and emotional abuse • How healing is possible when we understand the connection between the nervous system and our physical health • The importance of working with the body, not against it If you’ve ever wondered whether your chronic symptoms could be connected to your past and present experiences of narcissistic abuse, domestic abuse & coercive control… If you’ve ever felt unseen in your pain… If you’ve ever questioned the invisible impact of emotional abuse… This episode is for you. Listen now, share with someone who needs it, and join us in shining a light on what’s been hidden for far too long. Do not suffer alone and come and join my private FREE Facebook group - No Visible Bruises- Narcissistic Abuse, Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control . Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They do not substitute professional or medical advice. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in today’s episode, please consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for support. You’re not alone, and help is always available. /episode/index/show/thenarcissisticabuserecoverypodcast/id/36034450