
Empowered Recovery
A BLOG BY DR. ARROYO-CARRION
Actionable guidance for survivors of intimate relationship and family trauma.
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What Is a Malignant Narcissist? Traits, Behaviors, and Warning Signs
Learn what a malignant narcissist is, their traits, warning signs, and the impact on survivors. Discover how therapy helps with healing and recovery from narcissistic abuse.
How to deal with a manipulative narcissist boyfriend?
Learn how to deal with a manipulative narcissist boyfriend by setting boundaries, protecting your mental health, and focusing on healing through support and therapy.
How Trauma Systems Therapy Supports Survivors of Relational Trauma
Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) helps survivors of relational trauma heal by addressing both emotional regulation and supportive environments.
Healing After Narcissistic Abuse: Do Narcissists Know They Are Narcissists?
Do narcissists know they are narcissists? Some may have self-awareness, but few take accountability. Survivors can heal by focusing on recovery, not the narcissist.
DBT Therapy Near Me: Support for Emotional Regulation and Recovery
Searching for DBT therapy near me can be the first step toward healing. DBT provides structure, skills, and support to manage emotions and build resilience.
How Therapy for Generational Trauma Helps Restore Emotional Safety
Generational trauma can carry pain across families for decades. Therapy for generational trauma creates space for healing, resilience, and emotional safety.
Your Trauma Recovery Journey Begins Here
This 4-week trauma recovery plan offers small, powerful steps to support healing from childhood trauma, narcissistic abuse, and generational pain. You are not behind, you're right on time.
Regaining Control: A Simple Grounding Practice for Trauma Recovery
Grounding practices help regulate anxiety and restore body awareness after trauma. This simple 1-5-10 method supports daily healing and nervous system safety.
Recognizing Trauma Responses & Healing Strategies
Trauma responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn often stem from deep wounds. Identifying these patterns is the first step toward lasting emotional healing.
What is PTSD? Understanding the Body and Mind Connection
PTSD and Complex PTSD deeply affect both the brain and body, shaping how survivors respond to everyday life. Understanding trauma responses is the first step toward healing.
How To Start Healing From Complex Trauma And Dissociation
Living with complex trauma and dissociation can feel disorienting—like your body isn’t quite your own, or parts of your day slip away in a blur. Whether you feel overwhelmed by intense emotions or numb and disconnected, you’re not alone. Healing is possible, and it starts with understanding what you’re experiencing and taking gentle steps forward.
What Is Relational Trauma? (And How It Might Be Affecting You More Than You Think)
Relational trauma isn’t always visible, but it can deeply shape how you experience connection and love. If you find yourself flinching at closeness, fearing rejection, or feeling safest alone, relational trauma might be affecting you more than you realize. Let’s explore what it really means, how it shows up in everyday life, and how healing is possible.
What Most Couples Do to Fix Relational Stress—And What Actually Works
Many couples who deeply care for each other still find themselves drifting apart—not from lack of love, but because everyday stress like work, parenting, and unspoken resentments slowly erodes their connection. Understanding what truly works to repair this strain is key to rebuilding closeness and lasting love.
Why You Shouldn't Wait To Start Relational Trauma Counseling
Relational trauma counseling helps uncover and heal the hidden wounds that shape how you connect with others. It’s a safe path toward rebuilding trust, self-worth, and emotional balance.
When the Narcissist Goes Silent: Understanding the Punishment Tactic
Setting a boundary or speaking up shouldn’t lead to silence—but with a narcissist, it often does. This isn’t healthy space; it’s the cold, punishing silent treatment. Being ignored for days or weeks is a painful control tactic meant to hurt and manipulate. Understanding this pattern is key to protecting your emotional well-being.
Trauma Bonds: Why They Feel Like Love But Are Built on Control
Trauma bonds can feel like deep love, but they're rooted in control, fear, and emotional manipulation. Learn how to recognize the signs and begin to heal.
The Trauma Bond Cycle: Breaking Free from Toxic Patterns
Feeling trapped in a cycle of love and pain? That’s the trauma bond at work—where moments of kindness keep you hooked despite the hurt. It’s not a sign of weakness, but how your brain is wired to survive. Understanding this cycle is the first step to breaking free and reclaiming your emotional freedom.
Healing Your Nervous System After Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic abuse often leaves your nervous system stuck in survival mode—constantly alert or numb, even when there’s no immediate danger. Healing means gently rewiring your body’s response to stress so you can finally feel safe and grounded again.
5 Essential Steps to Heal After Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic abuse leaves deep, invisible wounds that take time to heal. This guide walks you through five essential steps to help you rebuild trust in yourself, break free from toxic patterns, and move forward with clarity and strength.
Rebuilding Confidence and Self-Worth After Abuse
Abuse can quietly erode your confidence and self-worth—but healing is possible. Learn how to reconnect with your inner strength, rebuild trust in yourself, and rediscover the person you were always meant to be.