This is the final post in our series on narcissistic relationships. If you’ve read the earlier posts on understanding narcissism, recognizing the relationship cycle, identifying manipulation tactics, and understanding why the impact runs so deep, you’re ready for the final step, where we learn what helps with healing. The answer is both challenging and hopeful. …
If you’ve been following our series on narcissistic relationships, you’ve learned about the patterns and manipulation tactics that characterize these dynamics. Now let’s talk about why the impact runs so deep and why ‘just moving on’ isn’t as simple as it sounds. “Just get over it.” “Why do you still talk about your ex?” “It …
If you’ve read about the narcissistic relationship cycle, you might be wondering about the specific tactics that make you question your own reality. That’s what we’re covering here. “Did that really happen the way I remember it?” “Maybe I am overreacting.” “Why can’t I ever get anything right?” If these thoughts have become your constant …
You’ve apologized for being late again. Your partner is frustrated. Your boss is concerned. And you’re sitting there thinking, “I swear I thought I had more time.” The shame hits hard because you genuinely tried. You care about being punctual. You set multiple alarms. But somehow, time slipped through your fingers again, and now everyone …
You found a therapist you connect with, but they don’t take your insurance. Does that mean therapy is financially out of reach? Maybe not. While we don’t accept insurance directly at Firefly Therapy Austin, we can prepare what’s called a superbill that you can submit to your health insurance provider for reimbursement. Many of our …
This post builds on our overview of narcissistic personality disorder. If you’re trying to make sense of the push-pull dynamic in your relationship, understanding the typical cycle can help you see what’s happening more clearly. You met someone amazing. They made you feel special, seen, and understood. Then, almost overnight, everything changed. Now you’re walking …
Your partner cancels dinner plans again because something “more important” came up. When you express disappointment, they turn it around until you’re apologizing for being needy. Later, when they need support, they expect you to drop everything. You find yourself constantly walking on eggshells, wondering if this time you’ll get warmth or coldness. If this …
You know that moment when you sit down to check your phone quickly, and suddenly an hour has evaporated? Or when you’re certain you have plenty of time before your appointment, only to realize with a jolt of panic that you should have left ten minutes ago? If you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, these experiences aren’t …
You’ve handled every crisis on your own and built your career without leaning on anyone. Figured out your problems in the middle of the night when everyone else was asleep. And you’re exhausted. There’s a particular kind of loneliness that comes from being the person who never needs help. Friends stop asking how you’re doing …
You’re driving across a bridge when suddenly you imagine swerving off the edge. You’re holding your newborn, and a terrifying thought flashes through your mind about dropping them. You’re standing near a tall building and picture yourself jumping, even though you have no desire to hurt yourself. If you’ve experienced moments like these, you’re not …
We live in a culture that celebrates self-sufficiency. “I don’t need anyone,” we tell ourselves proudly. “I’ve got this handled.” But what happens when our independence leaves us feeling trapped and makes us believe we can’t rely on anyone? Toxic independence is the belief that asking for help is a weakness, that vulnerability is dangerous, …
If you’re in your twenties and feel like you’re stumbling through life without a GPS, you’re not alone. That gnawing sense of uncertainty, the comparison trap on social media, the pressure to have it all figured out by 25. Welcome to the quarter-life crisis, a phenomenon so common it deserves its own Wikipedia page (and …
Childhood can be a time of wonder, growth, and safety. Yet for millions of people, early years are marked by experiences that leave lasting scars—not just emotional ones, but physiological changes that can affect health and wellbeing for decades to come. These experiences are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Understanding them is an …
It’s Saturday morning. You wake up alone in a bed that used to hold two. The silence feels heavy. The coffee maker beeps in the kitchen, and you realize you only need to make one cup now. This is your new normal; it feels nothing like you thought it would. Divorce doesn’t just end a …
Starting over in a new city can feel like standing at the edge of an ocean, exciting and terrifying at the same time. Whether you’re moving for work, school, love, or just a fresh start, the challenge of building meaningful connections in an unfamiliar place is one of the most universal human experiences. The good …
The house feels different. Maybe it’s the silence where laughter used to echo down the hallways, or the way dinner portions suddenly seem too big for two. Your child has moved out, either to college, their own apartment, or perhaps across the country for a new job, and you’re left wondering: Who am I now …
It’s Tuesday afternoon. You’re at your desk, staring at your computer screen, when that thought shows up again: “There has to be something more than this.” Maybe it’s been months since you first questioned whether your current career still fits. Perhaps it’s been years. Either way, you are stuck between wanting something different and feeling …
You’re at dinner with friends when someone makes a comment that stings. You laugh it off, but you’re still replaying the moment hours later, wishing you’d said something. Or maybe you’re the person who always says “yes” when your schedule is screaming “no,” then resents everyone for taking up your time. These moments aren’t just …
You know someone who seems unshakeable. Maybe your coworker gets passed over for a promotion and bounces back with a better opportunity. Or your friend who handles family drama without falling apart. You might think they were born with thicker skin. But brain science tells a different story. Some people handle stress better than others …
I love working with couples. Despite being more complex than individual therapy, it is profoundly rewarding to assist a couple in finding renewed connection with their partner and with themselves. It is here, in the partnership, that each partner sees themself as they are and not just how they want to be. It is here, …