Counselling for Narcissistic Abuse
If you've ever walked away from a conversation wondering whether you were the problem- you're not imagining things. Narcissistic abuse can be hard to name because it rarely looks like what people picture when they hear the word "abuse." It often happens quietly and slowly, until you no longer trust your own memory or feelings.
At Thrive Collective, we see how deeply these relationships affect people. Healing is possible, and counselling can be a steady place to begin.
What is narcissistic abuse?
Narcissistic abuse describes a pattern of emotional and psychological harm in a relationship where one person consistently seeks control, admiration, or power at the other person's expense. It can happen with a partner, a parent, a sibling, a friend, or a boss.
No one needs a formal diagnosis for the pattern to be real. What matters is how the relationship has affected you.
Some common experiences include:
Gaslighting, where your memory or perception is questioned until you start doubting yourself
Cycles of warmth and affection followed by criticism, coldness, or silence
Feeling like you're always walking on eggshells
Having your needs dismissed, mocked, or turned back on you
Slowly losing touch with friends, family, or things you used to enjoy
Being blamed for problems you didn't cause
How it can affect you
Many people come to counselling not saying "I was abused," but "I don't feel like myself anymore." After a relationship like this, it's common to feel anxious, exhausted, numb, or deeply unsure of your own judgment. You might replay conversations for hours, apologise constantly, or struggle with simple decisions.
Some people notice people-pleasing habits they can't seem to switch off. Others grieve the relationship, even while knowing it hurt them. All of these responses make sense. They're ways you adapted to get through something confusing and painful.
How counselling helps
Counselling for narcissistic abuse gives you a space where your experience is believed and your reality is respected. Over time, therapy can help you:
Make sense of what happened and find words for it
Rebuild trust in your own thoughts, feelings, and instincts
Quiet the inner critic that took on the other person's voice
Set boundaries, whether you're still in contact or not
Untangle guilt, shame, and self-blame
Reconnect with who you were before, and who you want to be now
There's no timeline you need to follow. Some people are still in the relationship, some have just left, and some are noticing the impact years later. Wherever you are right now is where we start.
Meet Amy Dreyer, RCC
Amy Dreyer (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor on our online team. Her work focuses on relationships, self-worth, people-pleasing, identity, and depression, which are often the very places narcissistic abuse leaves its mark.
With Amy, you can talk openly without worrying about being judged or brushed off. Together, you can explore the patterns that kept you stuck and start building a relationship with yourself that feels kinder and steadier. You can learn more about Amy here.
Why online counselling can be a good fit
For many people healing from narcissistic abuse, online counselling feels safer and more manageable. You can meet with Amy from home, your parked car, or any private space where you feel comfortable. There's no waiting room and no commute, and sessions can fit around work, kids, or the days when leaving the house feels like too much.
Our online sessions are secure and confidential, and they're available anywhere in British Columbia. Whether you live in a smaller community or simply want more choice in finding the right therapist, online counselling opens that door.
If you're still living with the person who is hurting you, choose a time and place where you can speak privately, and let your counsellor know so you can plan for your safety together.
You deserve to feel like yourself again
What happened to you was not your fault, and you don't have to sort through it alone. If you're ready to talk with Amy, contact us now and we'll help you get started with online counselling.
If you're in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 support across BC, you can reach VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808.