Expert Help for Recovering from Narcissistic Abuse in Cincinnati, Ohio
With licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Michelle Maegly
You're not crazy. You were manipulated.
You know something was deeply wrong in that relationship. But when you try to explain it to people who haven't lived it, they don't understand. They tell you to just move on, let it go, forgive and forget.
Maybe you're still stuck in it—knowing you should leave but feeling unable to. Or maybe you've left, but you're haunted by the confusion, the self-doubt, the way you sometimes miss someone who hurt you so badly.
Rationally, you know they were manipulative. You know the relationship was toxic. But something deeper keeps pulling you back—questioning your own reality, wondering if maybe you were the problem after all.
Here's the truth: Narcissistic abuse is psychological conditioning. And it requires specialized treatment to heal from.
Most therapists aren't trained in narcissistic abuse. They mean well, but they don't understand the specific dynamics at play. This can lead to interventions that actually make things worse:
"Have you tried communicating your needs?"
With a narcissist, healthy communication isn't possible. They use your vulnerability as ammunition.
"Maybe couples counseling would help."
Couples therapy with a narcissist becomes another arena for manipulation. They perform for the therapist while using what you share against you later.
"What role did you play in the dynamic?"
Survivors have already spent years over-analyzing their own behavior. What they need isn't more self-reflection—it's validation that they were systematically manipulated.
"You just need to move on."
This dismisses the trauma bonding and physiological addiction that forms in these relationships. You can't just "get over" someone who rewired your nervous system.
Dr. Maegly understands these nuances. She won't accidentally gaslight you or reinforce the patterns that kept you trapped.
Why Standard Therapy Falls Short
Narcissistic Abuse Therapist That Actually Understands
Dr. Michelle Maegly is a licensed clinical psychologist and one of Cincinnati's leading specialists in narcissistic abuse recovery. She understands that this isn't just about leaving a bad relationship—it's about untangling yourself from a web that was carefully designed to keep you trapped.
Standard relationship therapy doesn't work here. Couples counseling can actually make things worse. And well-meaning therapists who don't understand narcissistic dynamics can accidentally reinforce the very patterns that kept you stuck.
Dr. Maegly knows the difference. She's trained in the specific psychological tactics narcissists use, the trauma bonding that occurs, and the deep work required to rebuild your sense of self after someone spent years dismantling it.
Dr. Maegly specializes in:
Narcissistic abuse recovery and trauma bonding
Rebuilding self-trust and identity after abuse
Understanding manipulation tactics (gaslighting, love bombing, intermittent reinforcement)
Processing the grief of losing both the person and the illusion
Breaking free from the psychological hold of the abuser
She uses a blend of trauma-informed therapy and identity work—because narcissistic abuse doesn't just live in your thoughts. It lives in your body, your nervous system, and your sense of who you are.
What Is Narcissistic Abuse?
Narcissistic abuse is a form of psychological manipulation and emotional violence perpetrated by someone with narcissistic personality traits or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). It's not just about someone being selfish or difficult—it's a deliberate pattern of control designed to keep you destabilized and dependent.
The cycle of narcissistic abuse typically includes:
Idealization (Love Bombing)
In the beginning, they make you feel like you've found your soulmate. The attention is intoxicating. They mirror your values, your interests, your dreams. You feel seen and cherished in ways you've never experienced. This isn't genuine—it's a calculated strategy to hook you.
Devaluation
Once you're invested, the criticism begins. Subtle at first, then increasingly overt. Nothing you do is good enough. They compare you to others, withhold affection, and make you feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells. The person who once adored you now treats you with contempt.
Discard (and Hoovering)
They may leave abruptly, often for someone new, leaving you devastated and confused. Or they may keep you around but emotionally discard you—treating you like you're invisible or irrelevant. Then, just when you start to move on, they come back (hoovering) with promises to change, pulling you back into the cycle.
This pattern repeats, and each time it does, your sense of reality becomes more fragmented.
Common Manipulation Tactics
Gaslighting
They deny things that happened, twist your words, and make you question your own memory and perception. You start to believe maybe you're too sensitive, too needy, or imagining things.
Intermittent Reinforcement
They alternate between affection and cruelty, creating an addictive dynamic. You're always waiting for the "good" version to return, which keeps you hooked in a way that consistent cruelty never could.
Projection
They accuse you of the very things they're doing—lying, cheating, manipulating. This keeps you on the defensive and prevents you from seeing their behavior clearly.
Silent Treatment
They withhold communication as punishment, leaving you desperate for resolution and willing to do anything to get them to engage again.
Triangulation
They bring other people into the dynamic—exes, friends, new romantic interests—to make you feel jealous, insecure, and replaceable.
Moving the Goalposts
No matter what you do, it's never enough. The standards constantly change, keeping you in a perpetual state of trying to prove your worth.
The Path to Healing
We start by validating your reality.
You're not crazy. You were manipulated. What happened to you was real, and your confusion is a normal response to abnormal treatment.
We help you understand the tactics.
Knowledge is power. When you understand gaslighting, projection, intermittent reinforcement, and other manipulation tactics, you can start to see clearly again.
We rebuild self-trust.
You've learned to doubt yourself at every turn. We help you reconnect with your own intuition and inner knowing.
We reconstruct identity.
Who are you when you're not managing someone else's moods? Who are you when you're not proving your worth? We help you rediscover yourself.
We process the grief.
You're not just grieving the person—you're grieving the illusion, the future you thought you had, and the version of yourself that existed before the abuse. We make space for all of it.
Ready to Reclaim Your Life?
Healing from narcissistic abuse isn't about fixing yourself—because you were never broken. It's about remembering who you were before someone tried to convince you otherwise.
Dr. Michelle Maegly can help you untangle the confusion, break the trauma bond, and rebuild a life where you trust yourself again. Recovery is possible. And you deserve support from someone who truly understands.