Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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Narcissistic Abuse: Healing, Navigating, and Ending the Drama

Understanding and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics is essential for building healthy relationships. In environments characterized by narcissistic abuse, with one or two narcissistic parents, children are denied the emotional safety needed to develop an independent identity. Instead, they learn to survive the abuse by stepping into predefined roles that serve the narcissist’s needs.

To define narcissism and discover how to navigate relationships involving narcissistic personality disorder, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has forty years of experience in public and private practice, Dr. Karyl McBride.

Dr. McBride has focused on private research regarding parental narcissism, and the debilitating effects of narcissism in relationships. She describes the 5-step recovery process from her book, Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism and shares stories of the family drama experienced by clients on the road to recovery.

Original Air Date Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Tune in:

Meet Our Guest:

Dr. Karyl McBride, PhD, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 40 years experience. She specializes in treating clients with dysfunctional family issues. Dr. McBride focuses her research, writing, and clinical practice on the topic of narcissism and its debilitating effects on relationships.

She has treated many adult children of narcissistic parents in her private practice. She has conducted several workshops on narcissistic abuse recovery for adult children of parental narcissism, as well as train-the-trainer programs. Dr. McBride is the author of three books on the subject, including Will I Ever Be Good Enough? and Will I Ever Be Free of You?

Book: Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism

Dr. Karyl McBride—How to Know if There Is Narcissistic Abuse?

In families with narcissistic abuse, there is a distinct family structure with well-defined roles. {4:45}
How to recognize a narcissistic parent. {7:08}
The 5-step recovery roadmap to healing a child of narcissistic abuse. {11:51}
Real-life examples of families with narcissistic personality disorder. {19:45}
Family drama feeds a narcissistic parent. {22:40}

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WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING?

Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Follow Dr. Karyl McBride, PhD, LMFT

Shareables:

“If we hear enough of something multiple times, we tend to take it in as truth regardless of if it is or if it isn't.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Emotional and psychological abuse is harder to pin down.” @drkarylmcbride on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “You end up having complex PTSD growing up in this kind of dysfunctional family.” @drkarylmcbride on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Adult children of narcissists grow up with crippling self-doubt.” @drkarylmcbride on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.