Beyond Survival - The Therapy Podcast with Katie McKenna

2d ago

In this episode, I explore the trauma responses many of us developed just to survive childhood and why they still show up in our adult lives. I’ll break down the main trauma responses, the core wounds they originate from, and how these patterns are shaped by growing up with narcissistic parents. I’ll also walk you through the four types of narcissistic parents and how each one impacts a child’s nervous system, sense of self, and relationships, and why your responses were never flaws, they were there survival responses! Most importantly, we’ll talk about healing: how to begin meeting the wounds underneath your trauma responses with compassion, safety, and choice, rather than shame. This episode is for anyone who has ever asked, “Why do I react this way?” and is ready to move beyond survival and into self-trust and emotional freedom If you'd like to know more about my parenting course - add your name here BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Dec 12

This week, I'm unpacking one of the most common yet misunderstood experiences for adult children of narcissistic abuse: N arcissistic Parentification . I’ll walk through the different roles the children are cast into; Scapegoat Child, Golden Child, Enmeshed / Gilded Child, The Invisible Child, and how these roles profoundly shape your relationships, boundaries, identity, and sense of self today. By understanding the dynamics behind the role you were assigned, you can finally challenge the narratives that kept you small and start healing on your own terms. If you'd like to know more about my parenting course - add your name here BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Dec 5

In today’s episode, I'm diving into Instrumental Parentification — a dynamic where a child becomes the household’s “mini Cinderella.” They’re the ones cooking, cleaning, managing bills and appointments, caring for siblings, or even being conditioned into the role of caregiver for an ill family member. We’ll explore how these adult-sized responsibilities shape a child’s sense of self, and how the impact often follows them into adulthood, influencing their relationships - especially with their siblings. Listen to understand how this pattern develops, why it’s so damaging, and what healing can look like. Get notified about the next Calmer Parent Method with Katie McKenna BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Nov 28

In this solo episode, I’m diving into the topic of parentification — what it looks like, how to recognise it, and why naming your experience is the essential first step toward healing. Before we can deconstruct and dismantle the roles and patterns we grew up with, we need the language to understand what truly happened to us. I’ll be sharing real, relatable examples to help you spot the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of parentification in your own family system and explore how these dynamics may have shaped your sense of self, relationships, and emotional world. This episode will help you recognise the signs of parentification - for you or your siblings - and begin making sense of your story with clarity and compassion. * If you'd like to know when I'm running my next parenting course - add your name here BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Nov 21

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the complex topic of enmeshment —what it is, how it forms, and what healthy family patterns actually look like. We explore the journey of emancipation: how to recognise the conditioned roles you were assigned in childhood and, most importantly, how to break free from them. Joining us is Dr. Ken Adams , renowned national lecturer, workshop leader, and consultant specializing in child abuse, dysfunctional family systems, and sex addiction. Dr. Adams is the acclaimed author of Silently Seduced , When He’s Married to Mom , and A Light in the Dark . Together, we unpack the dynamics of enmeshment and offer insights on reclaiming your autonomy and emotional freedom. www.drkenadams.com www.overcomingenmeshment.com Follow Dr. Adams on TikTok BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Nov 14

“I started this work at the age of 19. I was a child abuse advocate, a sexual abuse advocate, a domestic violence advocate, a therapist — and yet, I didn’t know it was happening to me.” Dr. Christine Cocchiola is a leading expert on the experience of adult and child victims of coercive control. But even with all her knowledge and training, she found herself living inside the very dynamic she’d dedicated her life to understanding and preventing. In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Cocchiola shares her own story — the signs she missed, the psychological grip of coercive control, the impact on children, and how to recognise it in your own relationship. She also offers essential guidance on how to protect children from a coercively controlling parent. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the hidden dynamics of control and reclaim their sense of safety and self. Follow Dr. Christine Cocchiola on Instagram Follow Dr. Christine Cocchiola on Facebook www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com Ted X Talk - It's All Coercive Control BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Nov 7

Solo Episode - This week on Beyond Survival – The Therapy Podcast , I’m unpacking the truth behind people pleasing. So often we think of it as a habit or personality trait - but in reality, it’s a deeply ingrained survival response. When a child grows up in dysfunction, their nervous system learns that safety comes from centering others and erasing themselves. This fawning response isn’t about being “too nice” - it’s about self-abandonment learned in an environment where needs, emotions, and authenticity weren’t safe. Join me as I explore how this pattern forms, how it shows up in adulthood, and what healing looks like when we start to reclaim our right to exist, take up space, and be seen. Receive information from me on The Calmer Parent BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast

Oct 31

This week a listener asks a question: How do I let go of all the rage? After years of no contact with her abusive family, she’s exhausted by how much power the past still has over her present. She doesn’t want revenge or empty apologies - she just wants peace. But how do you move forward when there will never be justice? In this episode, we explore what rage really is beneath the surface, why it can feel impossible to release, and how to begin freeing yourself from its grip so you can finally start living for you. Follow Dr. Ruth Callaghan on TikTok Follow Dr. Ruth Callaghan on Instagram Follow Dr. Ruth Callaghan on YouTube www.callaghancounselling.ie BEYOND SURVIVAL - The Therapy Podcast