Surviving Narcissistic Abuse, Stalking, and Institutional Betrayal: A Therapist’s Reflection

Over the past several years, I have made the intentional and courageous choice to share parts of my lived experience with narcissistic abuse, stalking, and betrayal by someone I loved and trusted. This experience did not simply impact my personal life. It affected my nervous system, my sense of safety, my professional reputation, and the systems I once believed would protect me.

Like many survivors of narcissistic abuse and coercive control, the harm did not end when the relationship ended. The aftermath included targeted attacks on my practice, my business, and my credibility. What followed was not only profound grief and loss, but something many survivors quietly endure: institutional betrayal.

When Survivors Are Not Believed

Institutional betrayal occurs when systems, organizations, or communities fail to protect survivors or actively dismiss their experiences. I experienced this not only within larger systems, but also within community spaces, friendships, and family relationships.

This is a painful but common reality for survivors of narcissistic abuse and stalking. When harm is covert, psychological, or relational, survivors are often questioned, minimized, or disbelieved. Meanwhile, abusers often appear confident, emboldened, and unbothered. A painful truth many survivors come to recognize is this: the person who is exhausted is rarely the one causing the harm.

As a neurodivergent and autistic clinician, this prolonged exposure to trauma, stress, and disbelief contributed to severe burnout. Autistic burnout is not a simple need for rest. Recovery can take years, and it requires intentional care, reduced stimulation, and safety. For this reason, I am stepping back from social media to

prioritize my health and healing.

This pause is not weakness. It is survival. It is wisdom.

A Call to Community: How to Support Survivors

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this:

• Be kind to survivors.

• Believe survivors when they say they are being harmed.

• Support survivors publicly and privately.

• Understand that silence, exhaustion, or withdrawal is often a trauma response.

Healing does not happen in isolation. Community care matters.

Educational Resources on Narcissistic Abuse and Stalking

For those seeking education, validation, or support around narcissism, coercive control, and stalking, the following resources have been meaningful in our healing journey and clinical work.

Stalking Awareness and Legal Education

• SPARC (Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center) https://www.stalkingawareness.org/

• Follow Us Legally https://www.instagram.com/followuslegally

Survivor Voices and Lived Experience

• Synthia Smith (@synful) https://www.instagram.com/_synful_

• When Love Is a Lie https://www.instagram.com/whenloveisalie

• Claire Auden https://www.instagram.com/claire_auden_

Clinical and Educational Perspectives on Narcissism

• Lee Hammock (@mentalhealness) – The Narcissist Code Podcast https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhrGyHjJt5bTybCXCKfnS7cmXaw_b5ei1

• Dr. Ramani Durvasula – Navigating Narcissism Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-narcissism-with-dr-ramani/id1629909313

• Dr. Peter Salerno https://www.instagram.com/drpetersalerno

• Dr. Cochiola – Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perfect-prey-a-coercive-control-podcast/id1704962170

• Dr. Natalie – A Date with Darkness Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-date-with-darkness-podcast/id1271234927

Trauma Therapy and Healing Modalities

• EMDR Therapy - Find a trained provider: https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist (We worked with Shaquan Reed of Shaquan Reed Counseling and Consulting.)

If you are seeking therapy while healing from narcissistic abuse, it is appropriate—and necessary—to ask potential providers:

• What experience do you have working with survivors of narcissistic abuse?

• Do you understand coercive control and psychological abuse?

• Is this within your scope of practice?

Survivors deserve competent, informed care.

Additional Podcasts That Support Healing

• The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema Bryant

• Mindful with Minna

• The Covert Narcissism Podcast

• Black Girls Heal

• Deeply Well with Devi Brown

• Therapy for Black Girls

• The Happiness Podcast with Dr. Robert Puff

Books That Have Supported Our Healing

• All About Love – bell hooks

• When Things Fall Apart – Pema Chödrön

• Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

• If Only I’d Known – Chelsey Brooke Cole

• Mother Hunger – Kelly McDaniel

Closing Reflection

To every survivor reading this: you are not imagining it. You are not weak. You are not dramatic. Your exhaustion makes sense.

Healing from narcissistic abuse, stalking, and institutional betrayal is not linear. It requires safety, time, support, and compassion. At Restorative Health and Wellness, we remain committed to survivor-centered care, education, and advocacy.

Thank you to those who have shown love, patience, and support along the way. Gratitude always.

— Shalonda Edwards, MSW, LICSW

Founder & CEO, Restorative Health and Wellness