Season 2, Episode 17: Surviving a Narcissist – Kathleen Saxton
This episode discusses childhood trauma, parental violence, homelessness, narcissistic abuse, and relationship breakdown.
Join us for a warm, candid and eye-opening conversation with psychotherapist, writer and media personality Kathleen Saxton as she shares her difficult childhood in Gravesend, her journey from corporate career to therapy room, and the inspiration behind her powerful new book ‘My Parent The Peacock’.
This compelling discussion explores how growing up with a narcissistic parent shapes us, and why helping victims recognise and validate their experiences is such vital therapeutic work.
In this compelling episode, Kathleen openly shares:
- Growing up in Gravesend, Kent with an absent father and a violent mother
- Her family being made homeless when she was just 11 years old
- How that turbulent childhood drove her to become a high achiever
- Succeeding in education and building a successful corporate career
- The decision to retrain as a psychotherapist
- Becoming engaged during her training to someone she later recognised as a narcissist
- How that experience led her to pursue specialist training in narcissism
- Finding the clarity and strength to end the relationship
- Recognising the number of children of narcissists appearing in the therapy room
- Writing ‘My Parent The Peacock’ to help victims name and validate their experiences
- Helping readers begin to reckon with the damage caused by a narcissistic parent
- Her work as a presenter and media commentator, including appearances on ITV’s This Morning, The Times and Stylist
This essential conversation offers invaluable insight for anyone who grew up with a narcissistic parent, has experienced narcissistic abuse in relationships, or is seeking to understand the lasting impact of narcissism on family dynamics.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The impact of a violent and emotionally unavailable parent in childhood
- Homelessness and instability in early life
- High achievement as a response to childhood trauma
- Recognising narcissistic behaviour in close relationships
- Specialist training in narcissism and its application in therapy
- Children of narcissists in the therapy room
- Validating the experiences of those raised by narcissistic parents
- The healing power of naming what happened to you
- Writing accessible, warm therapeutic resources for the public
- Transitioning from a corporate career to a career in therapy
- The overlap between personal experience and therapeutic specialism
Learn more about Kathleen Saxton.
