Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Trauma and Narcissistic Abuse

First defined by Jennifer Freyd, PhD, in 1991, betrayal trauma is the trauma that occurs when we have placed our trust in a person, whether that's a parent, another family member, an intimate partner, or someone else, and in many ways that trust is violated. As Dr. Freyd puts it, a relationship has duties, and the duties in a relationship are to be present, attuned, patient, empathic, and, above all else, to create psychological safety.

When somebody doesn't hold up those duties in a relationship, which is a common occurrence in a narcissistic relationship, there is betrayal. When those betrayals mount up and as a person experiences betrayal trauma, they experience a cascade of fallout that is similar to that of all trauma survivors.

Watch the video below as renowned experts Dr. Ramani Durvasula and Dr. Kate Truitt delve into the complex relationship between trauma and narcissistic abuse. In the video, they explore how trauma and development intersect with experiences of narcissistic abuse and highlight the often-hidden dynamics that influence how we understand ourselves and our place in the world.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula and Dr. Kate Truitt also incorporate the latest neuroscience to pinpoint healing opportunities for your clients and share steps you can use to help clients recover from trauma, build a path toward self-empowerment, and so much more.

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Keep Breathing: A Psychologist’s Intimate Journey Through Loss, Trauma, and Rediscovering Life
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In Keep Breathing, Dr. Kate Truitt, a renowned psychologist, applied neuroscientist, and trauma expert, shares her story of unimaginable loss, trauma, and ultimately, healing. Faced with the sudden-gut wrenching death of her fianće just one week before their wedding day, Kate found her world shattered, catapulting her into a deep void of profound grief, trauma, shock, and guilt.

Part memoir and part scientific exploration, Keep Breathing uses Kate’s own account as a case study to illuminate the common experiences in our human brain – deep love and devasting loss, exhilaration and pain, life and death – that have the power to both derail our lives and ignite us to rebuild, heal, and grow. Her deeply personal loss sheds light on the human spirit’s extraordinary ability to persevere and thrive in the face of suffering – providing readers with a roadmap to navigate their own paths to healing and self-discovery. With its raw yet warm candor, Kate’s brave storytelling exemplifies what it means to truly come back to ourselves.

Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) Training with Dr. Ramani Durvasula
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Become a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician! Join Dr. Ramani Durvasula, the world's most highly recognized expert on narcissistic abuse, in this certification program that’s specifically designed to equip you with the crucial skills and insight to work with narcissism and antagonistic relational stress. You’ll walkaway with a comprehensive roadmap to address narcissistic abuse, including how to apply trauma-informed models and how to handle the ethical issues that are common with these cases. If you’re ready to become a true expert in the field of narcissism treatment, then enroll today and help clients take back their lives!
Kate Truitt PhD, MBA

Dr. Kate Truitt, a clinical psychologist, applied neuroscientist, and international bestselling author, is an expert in trauma, stress, and resilience. She is the founder of the educational platform Truitt Institute and leads her award-winning clinical team at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates. As a member of the Goldie Hawn Foundation’s MindUP Scientific Advisory Committee and a co-developer of the Havening Techniques®, as well as an expert contributor to the Kevin Love Fund and Girl Scouts of America, Dr. Truitt passionately advocates for mental health literacy and personal empowerment globally. Her voice in the mental health arena extends to her role as a speaker and media consultant, including being featured in BBC and Today, and speaking at prestigious platforms like the United Nations and the United States Department of Defense. Dr. Truitt founded and is the chairman of the board for the Amy Research Foundation, a 501c3 organization focused on advancing research into the innovative treatment realm of neuroscience-based mental health and wellness interventions. As the author of her memoir, #1 top new release Keep Breathing: A Psychologist’s Intimate Journey Through Loss, Trauma, and Rediscovering Life and the international bestseller Healing in Your Hands: Self-Havening Exercises to Harness Neuroplasticity, Heal Traumatic Stress, and Build Resilience, she is dedicated to advancing the treatment of traumatic stress while making significant strides in destigmatizing mental health and fostering resilience worldwide.  

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Kate Truitt maintains a private practice. She is the CEO of the Trauma Counseling Center of Los Angeles. Dr. Truitt is the executive director and founder of Viva Excellence and Amy Research Foundation. She is the executive director to American Cognitive Training Association. She is the Chief Strategy Officer to The Havening Techniques. Dr. Truitt is a scientific advisor and board member to Anti-AgingGames.com and Goldie Hawn Foundation. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Dr. Kate Truitt is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the American Cognitive Training Association, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Ramani Durvasula PhD, LCP

Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a licensed, clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, CA, Professor Emerita of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, and the founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training & Consulting, a company focused on educating individuals, clinicians, and businesses/institutions on the impact of narcissistic personality styles. Her academic research was focused on the impact of personality and personality disorders on health and behavior.

She is an author of multiple books including Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving a Relationship with a Narcissist, and ”Don’t You Know Who I Am?” How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility and her newest book, It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People will be released in February 2024 (Penguin Life). Dr. Durvasula is a faculty member for the APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, and a consulting editor for the journal Behavioral Medicine. She has spoken widely on the impact of narcissism on mental health , relationships, and the workplace. She also operates a popular YouTube channel and podcast (Navigating Narcissism). Dr. Durvasula is also working with PESI on the development of an educational and certification program for clinicians working with clients experiencing the fallout of narcissistic relationships.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Ramani Durvasula is the founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training, and Consulting and has an employment relationship with the University of Johannesburg. Ramani Durvasula receives royalties as a published author. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Ramani Durvasula is an associate editor for Behavioral Medicine. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science Society for Behavioral Medicine, and the International Association of Applied Psychology.
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