Category Archives: Abuse

How to Spot Covert Narcissists

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At the outset of a relationship, covert narcissists can seem quite harmless. And they can be quite charming, too. Their narcissistic behaviors present in subtle, hard to detect ways. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of covert narcissism.

Healthy Relationships Require Genuine Regard

Abuse, empathy, Empowerment, Entitlement, Integrity, Intimacy, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , , ,

Healthy Relationships Healthy relationships are a rare commodity these days. Relationships can begin with a bang, then quickly lose their appeal. Some relationships that initially seem so harmonious somehow eventually become contentious. Relationships born of great passion and fervor can become dull or devoid of energy. And even relationships that seem founded on positive regard … Continue reading Healthy Relationships Require Genuine Regard →

Recognizing and Overcoming Intimacy Barriers

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Intimacy barriers are the biggest reason couples seek counseling. And when counseling fails it’s usually because the true impediments to intimacy weren’t properly identified or dealt with.

Healthy Versus Unhealthy Self-Regard

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How we see ourselves matters. And how we behave toward ourselves matters even more. Healthy self-regard defines the evolved character. And unhealthy self-regard is the hallmark of character disturbance.

Integrity Exceeds Sincerity and Authenticity

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Personal integrity goes beyond sincerity.and authenticity. It’s about embracing high ethics and living them out, even when no one is watching. And it’s about seeing and embracing a much bigger picture.

Character Disturbance and Hardness of Heart

Abuse, conscience, Covert-Aggression, empathy, Entitlement, Integrity, Intimacy, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Relationships, Spirituality, , , , ,

Hardness of Heart What do we mean when we talk about “hardness of heart”? Folks with hardened hearts have an impaired ability to empathize. They also have an impaired ability to truly connect. This makes healthy, intimate relationships virtually impossible. The harder one’s heart, the harder it is to achieve real intimacy and to truly … Continue reading Character Disturbance and Hardness of Heart →

Gratitude Inspires Civility and Generosity

Abuse, Faith, Integrity, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , , ,

Most of us regard the “golden rule” as a noble ideal but totally impractical guideline. So, we instead live by the principle of doing to others as we have judged that they deserve. And that, in a nutshell, is why our world is so full of conflict

Verbal Abuse Leaves Deep Scars

Abuse, Aggression, Covert-Aggression, Entitlement, gaslighting, Integrity, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Neurotics, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , , ,

Abusive relationship partners are often relentless. They hate to miss an opportunity to denigrate and dominate. And over time, their victims can begin to see themselves in the same negative way their abusers cast them.

Constructive Versus Destructive Relationships

Abuse, Aggression, Covert-Aggression, Entitlement, Integrity, Intimacy, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , , , ,

Some things are well worth fighting for. But there’s a way to go about this enterprise that builds as opposed to destroys.