I help adults recover from family scapegoating and narcissistic spectrum abuse, as well as related experiences of workplace bullying, cancel culture and the lasting effects of emotionally harmful relationships. My work focuses on helping people understand what went wrong in family dynamics that harmed them, reclaim their sense of self, develop healthier relationships, and feel more confident about making wise decisions that support and protect the life they want and deserve.
Since 2014, I have focused my clinical and coaching work on helping people understand and recover from the lasting effects of being blamed, shamed, invalidated, rejected or emotionally abused by people who were supposed to care for them.
Why I Do This Work
My commitment to this work is both professional and personal.
My own journey gave me firsthand experience of how difficult it can be to understand what can go wrong in key relationships, recognize the impact those experiences have had on you, and begin developing a different way of relating to yourself and others.
That experience has influenced the way I work. I know how important it is to feel understood and respected, while also having practical support that helps you move forward.
Over the years, I have worked with adults dealing with family scapegoating, narcissistic abuse, relationship trauma, chronic grief, anxiety, self worth difficulties and painful relationship patterns.
I have found that most people need more than insight into their past. They need help understanding how those experiences continue to influence their emotions, moods, beliefs, decisions and relationships today.
How My Approach Is Different
Family scapegoating and narcissistic abuse recovery have been a main focus in my work since 2014.
When I began specializing in this area, there was no established roadmap for helping adults recover specifically from the psychological effects of being scapegoated within a family or other close relationship. I had to develop my own way of working through professional training, clinical experience, observation and considerable trial and error, paying close attention to what actually helped people heal and move forward.
Over time, this evolved into the 5 R Model of Family Scapegoat Recovery:
Recognize → Reality Test → Reclaim → Rebuild → Reorient
The 5 R model reflects the progression I have found most useful in helping people move from recognizing what went wrong in their family and how they were harmed by scapegoating and narcissistic abuse, to separating their family story from the truth, restoring their true sense of self, creating a better life and relationships, aligned with their legitimate needs and values, and finally reorienting toward the life they desire.
The 5 R Model is not a rigid formula. Recovery is not necessarily linear. It is a practical framework that provides a way of understanding where you are in the healing process and what may help you move forward.
A Broad Range of Professional Experiences
My approach draws on a broad range of professional education and experiences that I bring to the work as needed.
In addition to being a Psychotherapist, Coach and Author, I hold certifications in couples therapy, addictions treatment and hypnotherapy.
These different areas of training have given me a broader perspective on trauma, attachment, developmental needs, relationship dynamics, coping patterns, behavior and personal change.
I am also a published author. My writing addresses psychological wellbeing, relationships, family scapegoating, narcissistic abuse and recovery, and I have developed educational resources for people who want to better understand their challenging life experiences and begin making meaningful changes. My website Blog houses over one hundred in depth articles on healing from family scapegoating and narcissistic spectrum abuse.
Finding Freedom, my interactive healing journal and workbook, grew out of this work and provides an accessible way for readers to learn, reflect on their own experiences, and use Healing Prompts to explore personal development, relationships, boundaries and the decisions they want to make moving forward after relationship trauma.
Learn more about my education and experience here: Credentials, Publications, Awards & Media
How I Work
I take a practical, individualized approach.
I do not believe that one method or one formula works for everyone. Your history, relationships, strengths, circumstances and goals are unique, and our work should reflect that.
I am actively engaged in the process. I listen carefully, ask questions, offer psychological perspective, help you recognize patterns, and work with you to set goals for the work while exploring practical ways to move forward.
All of my services are provided by Video. Depending on your needs and circumstances, I provide Video Therapy in Canada or Therapeutically Informed Coaching worldwide.
The work may involve understanding what went wrong in your family system or relationship dynamics that harmed you, challenging internalized beliefs that don’t serve you, strengthening self trust and self worth, developing healthier boundaries, working through grief and trauma, and creating more satisfying and emotionally safe relationships.
What I Hope You Gain From Our Work
My goal is not simply to help you feel better temporarily.
I want you to develop a stronger, more reality based sense of who you are and greater confidence in your own perceptions, needs and judgment.
I want you to feel more confident recognizing unhealthy personal and interpersonal dynamics, establishing appropriate boundaries, making wise decisions, and creating relationships that are respectful and mutually satisfying.
Most of all, I want you to feel increasingly at ease and in control of your own life.
You were assigned a false and harmful scapegoat role. You do not have to live in it forever.
You can understand what went wrong and how you were harmed.
You can separate your family story from the truth.
You can restore your true sense of self.
You can create a better life aligned with your legitimate needs and values.
And you can find freedom in the life you want and deserve.
Contact Glynis to Request a Psychotherapy or Coaching Appointment