Healing from Narcissism: Strategies to Overcome Ghosting and Toxic Relationships

Coping With Ghosting

If you’ve been gaslit, manipulated, betrayed, ghosted, or are feeling emotionally distressed in a relationship, this episode is for you. Therapist Shannon Petrovich, LCSW, LISAC, BCD—who brings over 30 years of clinical experience—joins host Gretta to explore narcissistic and other toxic relationship dynamics. Together, they offer tools to help you set boundaries, release emotional pain, reclaim your strength, and start your healing journey.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Tell the difference between overt and covert narcissists
• Spot trauma bonds and manipulation tactics
• Understand why someone would ghost you without blocking you
• Outsmart a narcissist without losing your peace
• Reframe emotional triggers as healing guides

Shannon also shares grounded insights on emotional detachment, self-care, and practical ways to protect yourself from toxic patterns so that you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Shannon Petrovich, LCSW, LISAC, BCD, is a therapist with 30+ years of experience. Through her work, Shannon helps women heal from narcissistic and other toxic relationships.

Connect With Gretta

Free & Private Facebook Support Group | Instagram | YouTube | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, MA, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies for turning personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Connect with Shannon

Out of the FOG, into the CLEAR; Journaling to Help You Heal from Toxic Relationships | YouTube

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Ramos

Disclaimer: This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools. Coping With Ghosting does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.

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Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Chapters

1. Healing from Narcissism: Strategies to Overcome Ghosting and Toxic Relationships (00:00:00)

2. What percent of the population is a narcissist? (00:02:27)

3. Identifying Narcissistic Traits and Behaviors (00:03:37)

4. Overt vs Covert: Different Types of Narcissists (00:06:17)

5. Manipulation Tactics and Their Warning Signs (00:11:51)

6. Trauma Bonding and Why People Stay (00:13:02)

7. Ghosted but Not Blocked (00:15:17)

8. Triggers and how they can help you (00:18:44)

9. How to Outsmart a Narcissist (00:20:57)

10. JADE: Justify, Argue, Defend, and Explain (00:25:42)

11. Winning and Losing Battles with Ghosters (00:29:05)

12. Resources and Closing Thoughts (00:33:38)