Kerry McAvoy, PhD

Kerry McAvoy, PhD Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Advocate

->Join me LIVE Tuesdays @ 4:00 PM CT

This content is for educational purposes only and is not therapy or medical advice

06/11/2026

Ever felt that strange, counterintuitive urge to get closer to someone who gives you a bad vibe? Dr. Anna Salter calls it a survival mechanism; Dr. Slokowski calls it a trap.

Let’s talk about the psychological pull we rarely admit out loud. 👇



More About the Research:

Dr. Salter is a prominent forensic psychologist well-known for her extensive work studying the deception and grooming tactics used by sexual offenders. Her core findings on how normal human instincts fail to protect us from predators are detailed in her highly regarded book, Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, and Other S*x Offenders.

Dr. Danielle (Dani) Sulikowski is a Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Psychology at Charles Sturt University. Her research heavily bridges the gaps between human cognition, evolutionary biology, and social signaling.

She notes that humans have highly specialized, hyper-evolved facial recognition mechanisms designed to immediately spot threat, health, and dominance cues, it makes perfect sense why the speaker says "we spot them". Our brains are literally hardwired to recognize anomalous or predatory facial/behavioral signals instantly.

You're healing to become who you're meant to beHave you ever felt lost in the chaos of healing? Remember: you're not ret...
06/10/2026

You're healing to become who you're meant to be

Have you ever felt lost in the chaos of healing? Remember: you're not returning to the past; you're evolving into a stronger version of yourself. Embrace the journey, trust the process, and allow your true self to emerge. 🌱✨

How Narcissists activates our shame. How we feel exposed because of their predatory behavior. The shame belongs to them,...
06/08/2026

How Narcissists activates our shame. How we feel exposed because of their predatory behavior. The shame belongs to them, not us.

06/06/2026

Determiming the intentionality of someone’s bad behavior is a smoke screen. We are often looking for a reason to avoid making any relationship changes. Instead ask yourself what’s behind your avoidance.

06/04/2026

What would you like to know about women’s aggressive or devious tactics? Drop me a comment.

And stay tuned for more conversations about dark psychology on the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast.

What everyone is getting wrong about red flags. The best red flag is how someone makes you feel about yourself. Ask your...
06/04/2026

What everyone is getting wrong about red flags. The best red flag is how someone makes you feel about yourself. Ask yourself, “can I show up safely and fully as myself?”

06/02/2026

Have you spent years reading every book, listening to every podcast, and memorizing every red flag — and somehow you're still stuck in the same loop?

That's not a failure. You've been focusing in the wrong direction.

Most narcissistic abuse recovery is oriented toward studying the abuser. But the patterns that keep survivors stuck are held in place by something information alone can't reach.

IN THIS LIVE STREAM:
Learn:
- Why understanding the narcissist will never set you free
- The two layers of recovery most survivors don't know exist
- The hidden identity that keeps you oriented toward the narcissist long after the relationship ended
- The one shift that releases the grip of the addictive cycle

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IF YOU ARE A RISK of immediate danger or abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

DISCLAIMER: All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute mental health advice. Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.
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Feeling stuck in a toxic or troubled relationship?

Take my FREE “Toxic or Troubled?” survey to discover your relationship type and get instant access to a complete, private mini-course—educational overviews, reflective questions, grounding techniques, and new strategies tailored to your situation.

� Start here: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/toxic-or-troubled-survey/

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
• First Steps to Leaving online course – A step-by-step plan to safely and confidently leave a toxic partner: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/course
• Toxic-Free Relationship Club – Weekly group coaching, monthly book reads, access to past webinars, and Dr. McAvoy’s full online course: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/club/
• Group Programs– Healing Strong, Relationship Reset, and more: https://kerrymcavoyphd.com/

STAY CONNECTED & SUPPORTED
• Weekly “Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse” Substack newsletter – Insights, stories, and tools for your healing journey: https://breakingfreenarcabuse.substack.com/

FOLLOW DR. KERRY
- YouTube:
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• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/

READ MY STORY
“LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, S*x Addiction, & Double Cross”
Available now: https://amzn.to/3NVMBXO

ABOUT DR. KERRY McAVOY
Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., is a psychologist, author, and expert on cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing narcissism, and understanding complex trauma. A survivor herself, her memoir “Love You More” offers an uncensored glimpse into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse.

06/02/2026

What about: Cobra or a Pit Bull? Which Type of Predator Have You Met?

Knowing the difference can completely change how you protect your peace.

If you've ever felt targeted during a major life transition, grief, or a lonely season, it isn't your fault—it's a calculated playbook.

Let’s start recognizing the predatory patterns before they take hold. 🛑

Drop "Playbook" in the comments, and I’ll send you the A-Z playbook guide directly to your DMs to help you stay protected.

I obsessed over my ex. How could I, an experienced clinical psychologist, have allowed someone dangerous so close to me?...
06/02/2026

I obsessed over my ex.

How could I, an experienced clinical psychologist, have allowed someone dangerous so close to me? Why could he have hurt me like that?

I spent three years trying to dissect the details of what happened. The more I looked, the darker the picture became.

But seeing the truth didn’t heal me; it just deepened my confusion and intensified my pain.

It’s not wrong to seek the truth; that’s part of recovery from a traumatic event. But just like love bombing blinds you, trying to understand your ex can distract you.

It wasn’t until I faced the subconscious fears about myself did I truly begin to break free.

What’s holding you back?

That’s the subject of this week’s newsletter and the topic of today’s Facebook’s live stream. I hope you’ll join me today, Tuesday, June 2nd at 4 pm CT (or check out the Substack newsletter and the live stream replay.)

Recovery is rediscovering your true selfWhat if the key to healing is not changing who you are, but remembering who you ...
06/01/2026

Recovery is rediscovering your true self

What if the key to healing is not changing who you are, but remembering who you were? 🌱 Recovery is about peeling back the layers of expectation and reconnecting with your authentic self. Embrace the journey and let go of what the world has told you to be. You're not alone in this. Let's reclaim our stories together!

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