Episode 108

Kathleen Saxton: Recovering from a narcissistic parent

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What if the person who raised you was also the one who stole your sense of self? Parents should nurture, protect and believe in you, not distort your reality, drain your self-esteem and leave wounds no one else can see.

In this episode I sit down with Kathleen Saxton, psychotherapist, entrepreneur and author of My Parent the Peacock. We go beyond the surface-level label of narcissism to uncover the full spectrum of behaviours, from the overtly grandiose to the quietly manipulative.

This is not a conversation about blame, but about liberation. It’s about recognising what’s been taken from you, understanding why trying to change the narcissist will never work, and learning how to reclaim your voice, your boundaries, and your future.

If you’ve ever been made to doubt your own reality, whether by a parent, a partner or a leader, this episode could be the turning point.

You’ll hear about:

How narcissistic parenting shapes identity and self-worth
The long-term impact of emotional neglect and control
Why recovery starts with recognising patterns of manipulation
How to rebuild boundaries and personal agency
The role of therapy in healing from family trauma
Why self-compassion is critical in breaking the cycle
How to navigate relationships after narcissistic abuse
Practical steps to reclaim your voice and autonomy

More about Kathleen

Kathleen is a fully qualified and accredited psychotherapist, executive coach, author and advisor, and a registered member of both the UKCP and BACP. Kathleen trained in psychotherapy and counselling at Regents University and continued a further five years of study in integrative and humanistic psychotherapy and supervision at the renowned CCPE in London.

Kathleen has practised at The Grove, The Priory, and for the British Performing Arts in Medicine organisations. In 2016, she co-founded her clinical practice Psyched Ventures in London and NYC. Kathleen has written and published research and spoken on her unique blend of business, performance and mental health across the last 10 years. She is also a regular columnist for Stylist magazine on the topic of leadership and psychology.

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“You absolutely can recover.”

Kathleen Saxton — author, executive coach, and psychotherapist

VIEW RUNNING ORDER

03.55	What is narcissism?
07.36	Patterns to be aware of with narcissism.
09.29	Life as a child of a narcissistic parent.
12.20	The awareness of harm caused by a narcissist.
15.47	A comparison of a family with and without narcissism.
19.32	The role of genetics and experience in narcissism.
21.37	Triggers for a child to want a different life.
23.51	How much can children recover?
27.27	Should you address the narcissistic parent?
31.07	What to do when recognising your own narcissistic traits.
36.47	What has changed in Kathleen the most?
39.23	The impact Kathleen wants to have on the world.