Narcissistic abuse

Empowered Living – ‘New shop’

Alongside the coaching, art therapy and support groups I am already offering, I would also like to share my brand new shop with you, called ‘Empowered Living’.

https://empowered-living-shop.fourthwall.com

When you are on a healing journey and are trying to feel more empowered after trauma or narcissistic abuse, it is important to have uplifting reminders in your environment that keep ‘hope’ alive, even when things feel really tough.

Every piece of apparel, accessory, and homeware in my shop is designed to honour your strength, your resilience, and your ongoing journey toward freedom and self-trust. These items aren’t just products — they’re gentle reminders of your courage, hope, and power to rebuild.

Some designs remind you to keep going no matter how hard things get and others remind you to have gratitude for the little things in your life that bring you joy- such as a pet, a friend or your love for art or music.

Many of the designs are powerful symbols of renewal, such as the phoenix rising or the lotus flower.

Others, such as the mandala symbolise wholeness & unity and in psychological terms symbolise the self.

Whatever stage you are at in your healing journey, I wish you strength, courage & hope to keep going, no matter how hard things can feel at times.

Maybe the products in my shop will encourage you to not give up and empower you to rebuild and find joy again.

There is nothing wrong with treating yourself to something meaningful or giving your friend something that will help them through a difficult time.

Thank for reading!

Women’s only support group – Daughters of narcissistic mothers

For those of you who didn’t manage to join my 1st support group for adult children of narcissistic mothers, I am also starting a 2nd online support group which is exclusively for daughters of narcissistic mothers.

If you struggle with symptoms of trauma, with feeling isolated on your healing journey and with feelings of shame or low self-worth, then this support group will help you!

Growing up with a narcissistic mother can leave deep wounds — confusion, guilt, low self-worth, and complex grief. This safe online support group is here for daughters recovering from narcissistic maternal abuse, offering understanding, validation, and tools for healing.

💜 What you’ll find here:

A safe, judgment-free space to share your story

Connection with others who truly “get it”

Support for breaking cycles of guilt, shame, and gaslighting

Gentle strategies for boundaries, self-care, and inner healing

There will be two 90min online video calls per month with a maximum of 8 people. This will be a closed support group which fosters a safe, confidential and deeper level of intimacy and trust among members. This means that the same people only will be a part of this group, without any new people joining.

Talking to others in support groups reduces anxiety, improves self-esteem, and helps members’ sense of well-being overall.

It will initially run for a total of 6 sessions, over a period of 3 months and we will then reassess how to move forward.

If you are interested in joining this online support group, please email me at courageisallyouneed@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email.

I will be facilitating this online group and I very much look forward to welcoming you!

Love Athina

NEW online support group for daughters & sons of narcissistic mothers

If you struggle with symptoms of trauma, with feeling isolated on your healing journey and with feelings of shame or low self-worth, then this support group will help you!

Growing up with a narcissistic mother can leave deep wounds — confusion, guilt, low self-worth, and complex grief. This safe online support group is here for adult children recovering from narcissistic maternal abuse, offering understanding, validation, and tools for healing.

💜 What you’ll find here:

A safe, judgment-free space to share your story

Connection with others who truly “get it”

Support for breaking cycles of guilt, shame, and gaslighting

Gentle strategies for boundaries, self-care, and inner healing

There will be two 90min online video calls per month with a maximum of 8 people.

This will be a closed support group which fosters a safe, confidential and deeper level of intimacy and trust among members.

This means that the same people only will be a part of this group, without any new people joining.

Talking to others in support groups reduces anxiety, improves self-esteem, and helps members’ sense of well-being overall.

It will initially run for a total of 6 sessions starting in October (precise dates to be announced) over a period of 3 months. When we are close to the end of the 3 months, I will then reassess how to move forward with the support group.

If you are interested in joining this online support group, please email me at courageisallyouneed@gmail.com or leave a comment below with your name and email.

I will be facilitating this online group and very much look forward to welcoming you!

Athina

‘Meet your authentic self’- Online Art Therapy workshop

Meet your authentic self

An online group art therapy experience to help you reconnect with the truest part of yourself.
If you are at a transitional time in your life, or are maybe just struggling with feeling a little disconnected with yourself, then this art therapy group will help you feel more in touch with yourself and the things that truly matter to you! Held online, so you can join from the comfort of your home and guided by me, a trainee art therapist.
The cost is only 70€ for all 4 sessions. Reserve your spot now—limited spaces available. Please comment ‘join’ below by the 11th of July at the latest! All payments must be made via Paypal, Wise or Revolut.

No art skills needed—just a willingness to explore your inner world in a safe, supportive space. Express, reflect, and feel seen—together.

I look forward to welcoming you!

Athina

Grieving a parent who is still alive

When a parent is emotionally immature, abusive, or neglectful, it can be incredibly painful and confusing for the adult child. These patterns often make it difficult—sometimes even impossible—to maintain a healthy or meaningful relationship with that parent. The adult child may find themselves caught between loyalty and self-preservation, longing for love or validation while also needing to protect their emotional wellbeing.

Over time, repeated invalidation, manipulation, or emotional absence can erode trust, leaving the adult child to grieve the parent they never truly had—not because the parent is gone, but because the relationship cannot meet the basic needs of safety, respect, or mutual care.

Setting boundaries or choosing distance in these cases is not a sign of failure or selfishness—it’s often an act of deep inner strength, rooted in a desire to heal, grow, and break cycles of emotional harm.

If you relate to the above, then my newest video below might be just the right thing for you!

Love Athina

The difference between a toxic person and a narcissist

The word narcissist is unfortunately thrown around a little too much nowadays, so it’s important to explore the key differences between narcissistic individuals and toxic individuals.

All narcissists are toxic but not all toxic people are narcissistic. Just because someone has a toxic behaviour, it doesn’t mean that they have a personality disorder. Let’s not forget that someone who is a narcissist, has NPD, which means they meet the criteria as listed in the DSM. Also, seeing someone as toxic is a subjective experience. Something that you may consider toxic, someone else may not have a problem with.

Check out the latest video above for more detailed information.

Love Athina

I am my mother’s mother

Have you ever felt like you were the parent instead of the child? Growing up as a parentified daughter means carrying emotional burdens too heavy for a child to bear. In this video, we explore the experience of daughters who had to step into a parental role—providing comfort, stability, and care at the expense of their own childhood.

This video is inspired by my own experience of being a parentified daughter and I share a deeply personal poem I wrote in my early twenties when I was struggling with my mother.

The poem in the video is written below:

***Please only re-use this poem by giving credit and asking for permission.***

A new year exploring art journaling

As I am currently studying to be an art therapist alongside my coaching, I have been exploring art journaling as a way to get more in touch with my own creativity.

Art (therapy) journaling is a wonderful way to explore your emotional wellbeing, to understand what keeps you grounded and to see what comes to the surface through exploration of different materials, colours and techniques. Being creative is a great way to start 2025 and give yourself something that is just for you!

Art journaling can be very relaxing and enjoyable when you have already dabbled in some form of creative expression on paper. If, however, you are completely new to expressing yourself through the use of art materials, drawing, painting or collage, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. When you are new to being creative and aren’t familiar at all with where and how to start, then please let me know and I would be more than happy to help!

More specifically, art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. As clients create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

If you feel that you would like to explore one to one art therapy sessions online, then please let me know. I would be happy to guide you on this new journey and support you in expressing yourself in a new way.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year with lots of love, prosperity and good health!

Love Athina

Do you self-silence?

Self-silencing is much more common that people think.

Feeling too afraid to express your true thoughts, desires, and emotions often stems from childhood experiences in environments where self-expression didn’t feel safe. This behavior is frequently shaped by generational patterns passed down unconsciously, where parents, influenced by their own upbringing and unresolved trauma, lacked the tools to create a space for open and secure communication.

If you recognize that you have a tendency to self-silence, it’s essential to take proactive steps toward building healthier habits and learning to express yourself more openly and authentically.

Watch my video below, to gain more clarity on self-silencing.

Love Athina

Coping with a Narcissistic Mother-in-Law

Navigating the relationship with a mother-in-law can be challenging under normal circumstances, but when she exhibits narcissistic traits, it can feel like walking a tightrope. A narcissistic mother-in-law often demands to be the center of attention, thrives on control, and struggles to respect boundaries. She may use manipulation, guilt, or passive-aggressive comments to maintain her perceived dominance in the family dynamic.

Dealing with a narcissistic mother-in-law requires patience, clear boundaries, and a strong sense of self. While it can be tempting to appease her or avoid conflict altogether, addressing the behavior with kindness and firmness is key to maintaining a healthy relationship—not just with her, but also with your spouse. If of course the relationship becomes unbearable, then it is time to discuss things with your partner about how to set boundaries and make things more comfortable in the long run.

For a more detailed account of the 14 signs of a narcissistic mother in-law, please watch my new YouTube video below! Please like, share and subscribe if you appreciate my content!

Love Athina