Power & Control

Narcissists often lack empathy but crave attention and admiration from those around them. They use a mix of subtle and overt tactics to keep others under their influence. They may dominate conversations, manipulate loved ones, or even resort to deception for personal gain. While it’s natural to want to avoid…

Divorcing a narcissist is a formidable challenge, marked by complexities and unique hurdles. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or narcissistic personality traits often exhibit a distinct lack of empathy, and false beliefs in their grandiosity that can complicate the divorce process. This can add an intensity or venom to…

Codependency is a bit of a buzzword—a term we hear mentioned frequently but may not quite understand. Perhaps you think you know: It’s when two partners can’t function without each other, right? Not quite—and it’s not the same as relationship anxiety.   Understanding codependent behaviors starts with examining how they can…

As the adage goes, opposites attract… or do they? From horoscopes, classic rom-coms, and even our dating app preferences, many of us seem almost obsessed with our personality types and who we are (and aren’t) compatible with.  Now consider an unlikely romantic relationship between two people with personality types that…

Camille and Amma couldn’t be more different. Camille is a 30-something journalist who prefers to stay under the radar. Amma, on the other hand, is her more outgoing and rebellious kid sister. That said, there is one common thread between them: their mother Adora. Or more specifically, her abuse. If…

The idea of brainwashing had a viral moment in the 1950s when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) decided to wage psychological warfare against Communism. Project MKUltra secretly experimented with “mind control” techniques, dosing people with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) without their consent. In fact, at one point the CIA…

Every fall, Black Friday and Cyber Monday loom as the notorious twins of November, luring shoppers out in droves amid fierce competition. But beyond the viral videos of people fighting over TVs, these two consumer holidays are a big win for companies, with Americans spending nearly $20 billion on both…

The sweet, charming, handsome ex-Marine you’ve been emailing and texting with for eight months has a family emergency and can’t make his flight to meet you for the first time. You’re crushed. You’d let yourself fall hard for this guy, and now it might be another few months before you…

It’s like a bad nightmare: Imagine having a supervisor that’s hellbent on making your life miserable, playing with your emotions and your sanity. Perhaps this is already a tempting fantasy to believe on our worst workdays, when we’re rushing to meet deadlines or sitting through tedious meetings. Despite the frustration…

We’ve already shown how destructive cults and manipulative marketing tactics can weaponize extreme psychological influence. But what about a form of “mind control” that doesn’t have an industry or a social scaffolding behind it? Manipulation by an intimate partner can feel even more insidious because it’s perpetrated by someone you…

Last weekend I had the classic Saturday morning experience of watching cartoons with my daughter and hearing “I want that!” at least seven times during each commercial break. It’s glaringly obvious when children are the target of advertising campaigns. Bright colors! Music! Animal mascots! But it’s not as obvious when…

Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, my name is Brandy Enneking and I’m a Licensed Clinician with Thriveworks in Tucson, Arizona. I’m here to talk to you today about what gaslighting in relationships looks like. First you might be even asking yourself what is gaslighting? So I’m going…