# Episode 372: Understanding the Narcissistic Mind with Chelsey Brooke Cole

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-divorce-survival-guide-podcast-546264/episode-372-understanding-the-narcissistic-mind-with-chelsey-brooke-cole.md
Podcast: [The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-divorce-survival-guide-podcast-546264)
Published: 2026-06-11T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://divorcesurvivalguide.libsyn.com/episode-372-understanding-the-narcissistic-mind-with-chelsey-brooke-cole
Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/divorcesurvivalguide/DSG-372.mp3?dest-id=653878
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Duration seconds: 2752

## Resource

Understanding the psychology of a narcissist is the topic of conversation this week, with my guest Chelsey Brooke Cole. Chelsey is a licensed psychotherapist, expert in narcissistic abuse recovery, and bestselling author of If Only I'd Known: How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakable Self-Worth. She specializes in helping people understand the psychology of narcissists so they can trust themselves again after narcissistic abuse. Here's the thing about narcissists that can be so disorienting at first: they are fundamentally different from you. This episode gets into the psychology behind it all. Why narcissists operate the way they do, what the different types actually look like, how they show up in relationships, and what the path back to yourself really involves. Because understanding what you were actually dealing with is usually where the healing starts. What you'll hear about in this episode: Why narcissists are not like you: the personality trait most survivors share, and why it works against them. (2:16) The trauma myth: does trauma cause narcissism? Chelsey shares her insights. (6:33) Six types of narcissists: what each one looks like, and why the most dangerous ones often look the most harmless. (8:44) How narcissists approach communication: what they're actually doing in conversations, and why it's designed to keep you stuck.(26:42) The healing journey: the micro-shifts that actually move the needle, and where to start when you don't even know yourself anymore. (33:30) Learn more about Chelsey Brooke Cole: Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, Certified Partner Trauma Therapist, and best-selling author of If Only I'd Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth…

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