Category Archives: Manipulation

Why You’re Probably Not Codependent

Abuse, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Psychobable, Psychological Manipulation, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Therapy, , , , , ,

Many folks who think they’re codependent, or have been labeled so, actually aren’t! Are you one of them? Maybe you’re one of those folks who got manipulated into a situation of forced dependency, making it extra hard for you to break free. Labeling you codependent can be just one more form of abuse.

Revisiting the Character Disturbance Spectrum

Aggression, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Integrity, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Therapy, , , ,

The character disturbance spectrum is vast, yet poorly understood. But getting it right is essential for true personal empowerment.

Finding True Love in the Right Way and Place

Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, Integrity, Intimacy, Love, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , , , ,

Finding true love in character-impaired times is most challenging. But knowing where to look and what to look for makes the task a bit easier. Of course, character is key.

Resisting the Urge to Expose a Covert Abuser

Abuse, Covert-Aggression, Depression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, , , , ,

The urge to expose your covert abuser is natural. But it’s frought with danger and can lead to even greater depression.

The Lying and Deception Spectrum

Abuse, Aggression, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Spirituality, Therapy, , , , , ,

For some disturbed characters “thinking makes it so.” In other words, reality or truth is what they say it is.

Beware of the Smug and the Glib

Abuse, empathy, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Psychopathy and Sociopathy, Relationships, Social Issues, , , , , , ,

Beware of the smug and the glib. Smooth talkers and smooth operators are often among the more malignant narcissists. Trust your gut and dismiss any seemingly superficial charm and seduction.

Drs Carter and Simon Discuss All Things Narcissism

Abuse, Aggression, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, Entitlement, gaslighting, Integrity, Lying and Deception, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, , , , , , ,

During a remarkable interview, Dr. Carter and I sometimes use different terms, but we describe the same realities – perspectives that differ considerably from those taught during our professional training but which both experience and abundant recent research soundly validate.

Manipulation Tactics and Gaslighting

Covert-Aggression, empathy, Empowerment, gaslighting, Integrity, Manipulation, Manipulators, Mental Health, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , , ,

Manipulation tactics and gaslighting go hand in hand. In fact, it’s a manipulator’s astute use of tactics that induces the gaslighting effect.

Why Some Never Seem to Learn

Integrity, Manipulation, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Esteem, Social Issues, Spirituality, , , ,

Some folks never seem to learn or change their ways, even in the face of failure. Real change, meaningful, lasting change, is a matter of the heart, not the brain.

Looking Good Vs. Being Good: Impression Management 101

Abuse, Covert-Aggression, Empowerment, gaslighting, Integrity, Manipulation, Manipulators, Narcissism, Personality and Character, Personality and Character Disorders, Psychobable, Psychological Manipulation, Psychology, Relationships, Social Issues, Spirituality, Therapy, , , , , ,

Personal empowerment is largely about appreciating how different looking good is from being good. It’s also about recognizing and understanding the wide spectrum of character disturbance we experience these days and how to deal with it.