"You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.”
As I answer this question, let’s first get a clear definition of what I mean by ABUSE: as it pertains to child abuse, domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, spousal abuse, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or any other kind of unhealthy familial or relational exploitation and mistreatment, it usually comes down to one simple phrase - a MISUSE OF POWER. Moreover, there is usually a perceived “power differential” between the perpetrator and the victim in the eyes of the offender. Therefore, one individual is purposely taking advantage of another who is perceived as weaker.
With that said, there is a way to take your power back!! It is not only possible to heal, but you can also flourish and go on to live an amazing life. And, in the best of circumstances, you can help others who have been emotionally injured as you may have been. My self-help, Provoke Not Your Children, takes the reader through the step-by-step process of a manipulative narcissistic personality, from the grooming and testing behaviors of the manipulator to the healing of the survivor. Watch the interview below to get a sample of what you can expect.
The purpose of this podcast series is to EXPOSE the behaviors, tricks and games of abusive, controlling, manipulative, and personality-disordered individuals that we may come in contact with. You can find these disturbed people in families, at work, at church, and on dating sites, and really almost anywhere. This is critical because the “perfect” persona of the narcissist is always on display in public, while the damage they create is usually behind closed doors, in secret, and hidden in plain sight, as explained in my self-help book, Provoke Not Your Children. In each episode, my guests will tell their stories, and many of these stories will be heartbreaking, but you will also see great courage, strength, and resilience.
You will also notice that their identities will remain hidden for confidentiality and privacy reasons. This discretion is because many of them are still struggling with these toxic relationships. You will hear that some of them, even after many years, are still trying to find a way to escape or manage the chaotic, narcissistic person in their lives. Let’s listen and become more informed. Tune in to Narcissism Revealed with Dr. Provo.
Having specialized in mindful awareness, problem solving, and solution-focused techniques to remove emotional and psychological barriers to success, I now train therapists, counselors, and mental health life coaches to deal with clients suffering from psychological manipulation and emotional abuse. Learn more by reading my self-help book and workbook, Provoke Not Your Children.
“While taking Dr. Provo’s class, my mother became ill. I was trying hard to focus on school but my heart could not bear the weight. Dr. Provo noticed the change and offered any help I might need to get through the course as well as offered to be an additional support system. Shortly after the course ended, my Mother passed away. Dr. Provo continued to reach out to me and check on me and still does to this date. That said a lot about her character and I am so thankful to have met her. Because of her support, I was able to graduate and I am now in a graduate program.”
STUDENT, CALIFORNIA
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L.B., CALIFORNIA
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LOS ANGELES
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RANDY G.
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B.L.
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W.S.