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Author: Darlene Lancer

This author has written 65 articles
Healing Trauma And Your Inner Child
Blog

Healing Trauma and Your Inner Child

  • March 10, 2023
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explores the concept of the "inner-child" and how it can be healed after trauma.
Read More→
Living With A Narcissist
Blog

Living with a Narcissist

  • February 17, 2023
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explores the realities of life with a narcissistic partner.
Read More→
How Trauma Can Hijack Your Life
Blog

How Trauma Can Hijack Your Life

  • February 2, 2023
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity, PTSD
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses how trauma can change the way we react to possible threats and dangers.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Is Someone “Playing The Victim”?
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Is Someone “Playing the Victim”?

  • January 10, 2023
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses what it means for someone to "play the victim" in a relationship, and how a partner can tell if they are being manipulated.
Read More→
5 Tips On How To Keep New Year’s Resolutions
Blog

5 Tips on How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

  • December 30, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explains why resolutions can fail, and gives 5 tips for making lasting changes in the New Year.
Read More→
9 Tips For Coping With Holiday Depression And Stress
Blog

9 Tips for Coping with Holiday Depression and Stress

  • December 20, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Anxiety, Depression, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, LMFT shares tips for dealing with depression and anxiety during the holiday season.
Read More→
Is Your Relationship Toxic?
Blog

Is Your Relationship Toxic?

  • December 6, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses toxic relationships, and what to do if you find yourself in one.
Read More→
Gratitude And Mental Health: How To Feel Thankful Despite Challenges
Blog

Gratitude and Mental Health: How to Feel Thankful Despite Challenges

  • November 22, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, J.D., M.F.T. discusses the important role gratitude plays in emotional health, and gives tips to feel thankful despite challenges.
Read More→
Dealing With Relationship Anxiety
Blog

Dealing With Relationship Anxiety

  • November 11, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses the signs and causes of relationship anxiety, and offers tools to fight it.
Read More→
Signs Of Healthy Boundaries
Blog

Signs of Healthy Boundaries

  • October 21, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explains the value of healthy boundaries, and gives 10 signs that you have them.
Read More→
Individuation: From Codependent Chameleon To Selfhood
Blog

Individuation: From Codependent Chameleon to Selfhood

  • October 5, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses how one's concept of self can be obscured by codependency, and shares ways to move towards "individuation".
Read More→
CRAFT: Helping People With Addiction Get Treatment
Blog

CRAFT: Helping People with Addiction Get Treatment

  • August 16, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • addiction, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses the pros and cons of the CRAFT method of helping a loved one with addiction issues get help.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonds
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonds

  • July 9, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses the phenomena of the "trauma bond", and the role it can play in relationships.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Recognizing Abusive DARVO Tactics
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Recognizing Abusive DARVO Tactics

  • June 18, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explains the D.A.R.V.O. tactic that abusers use to manipulate victims.
Read More→
The Codependent False Self
Blog

The Codependent False Self

  • May 24, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explains the concept of a false self and its effects on mental health.
Read More→
Dealing With Aggressive People
Blog

Dealing with Aggressive People

  • March 25, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT covers how to navigate conflicts with aggressive people.
Read More→
The Narcissistic Parent
Blog

The Narcissistic Parent

  • February 18, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses narcissistic parents, and how they can create toxic households.
Read More→
Narcissists’ Dirty Little Secret
Blog

Narcissists’ Dirty Little Secret

  • January 26, 2022
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses the feelings that narcissists hide, and how to look out for their methods of obfuscation.
Read More→
How To Be Present
Blog

How to Be Present

  • November 27, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses what being "present" means, and how to be it more often.
Read More→
Splitting: Why We Love Dr. Jekyll And Hate Mr. Hyde
Blog

Splitting: Why We Love Dr. Jekyll and Hate Mr. Hyde

  • October 21, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT discusses "splitting", and the emotional and phycological effects it can have in relationships.
Read More→
How Self-Love Is Key To Codependency Recovery
Blog

How Self-Love is Key to Codependency Recovery

  • August 25, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the role self-acceptance and self-love play in recovering from codependency, and offers tips to achieve both.
Read More→
Are You A Narcissist’s Supply?
Blog

Are You a Narcissist’s Supply?

  • August 2, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how people with narcissistic personality disorder may use others to feed their needs.
Read More→
Hiding Your “True Self”: The Seeds Of Codependency
Blog

Hiding Your “True Self”: The Seeds of Codependency

  • June 28, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how our "true self" develops, and how it can be obscured by codependency.
Read More→
Are Empaths Codependent?
Blog

Are Empaths Codependent?

  • June 13, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT looks at the relationship between empathy and codependency.
Read More→
Steps To Codependency Recovery
Blog

Steps To Codependency Recovery

  • May 13, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the progressive nature of codependency, and offers steps for recovery.
Read More→
Learned Helplessness Is Not A Life Sentence
Blog

Learned Helplessness Is Not a Life Sentence

  • April 25, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT looks at "learned helplessness", and how to overcome it.
Read More→
How Are Your Boundaries In The Pandemic?
Blog

How are Your Boundaries in the Pandemic?

  • March 14, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT shares tips for maintaining healthy boundaries during the pandemic.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: When Narcissists Won’t Let Go
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: When Narcissists Won’t Let Go

  • February 16, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses strategies to deal with a narcissist that won't let go.
Read More→
Why It’s Hard To Receive
Blog

Why It’s Hard To Receive

  • January 20, 2021
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses why it can feel uncomfortable to receive.
Read More→
Tactics Narcissists Use To Gain Self-Esteem & Power
Blog

Tactics Narcissists Use to Gain Self-Esteem & Power

  • December 23, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the ways narcissists increase their self-esteem and feel power over others.
Read More→
Codependency, Trauma, And Healing
Blog

Codependency, Trauma, and Healing

  • December 5, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the recovery and healing process after traumatic codependent relationships.
Read More→
4 Types Of Narcissism Share This Trait
Blog

4 Types of Narcissism Share This Trait

  • September 7, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses multiple forms of narcissism, and highlights a trait they all have in common.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Dating A Narcissist
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Dating a Narcissist

  • July 24, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT offers tools for recognizing if someone is dating a narcissist.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Cultivating Love
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Cultivating Love

  • May 29, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT offers 7 tips to cultivate love in your life in mentally healthy ways.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Detaching From Unhealthy Situations
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Detaching From Unhealthy Situations

  • April 29, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses ways to recognize when a relationship has become unhealthy, and gives tips for how to detach from it.
Read More→
Recognizing Sibling Bullying And Abuse
Blog

Recognizing Sibling Bullying and Abuse

  • March 27, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT looks at the often ignored problem of sibling bullying and abuse, and highlights ways to detect it.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: How Our Partners Can Control Our Brains
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: How Our Partners Can Control Our Brains

  • February 20, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how our partners can have the ability to control our minds.
Read More→
Sons Of Narcissistic Mothers
Blog

Sons of Narcissistic Mothers

  • January 24, 2020
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity

By Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT Motherhood and Narcissism All children of narcissists suffer. Narcissistic mothers…

Read More→
The Differences Between Narcissism And Self-Love
Blog

The Differences Between Narcissism And Self-Love

  • November 7, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explores the differences between narcissism and self-love.
Read More→
How Shame Becomes Toxic
Blog

How Shame Becomes Toxic

  • October 11, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explains what shame is, how it feels, and how it can become toxic.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Loving An Abuser
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Loving an Abuser

  • September 18, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explains why people fall in love with abusers, and offers steps to end abusive relationships.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Why “Ghosting” Happens
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Why “Ghosting” Happens

  • August 30, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses 8 reasons "ghosting" happens, and offers tips for coping.
Read More→
Overcoming Trauma After Abuse
Blog

Overcoming Trauma After Abuse

  • August 11, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity, PTSD
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how to deal with the traumatic aftermath of relationships involving abuse.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Avoiding Manipulation
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Avoiding Manipulation

  • July 18, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses manipulation within interpersonal relationships, and offers ways to identify the tactics of manipulators.
Read More→
Can Therapy Help Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Blog

Can Therapy Help Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

  • July 2, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses whether or not therapy can be helpful to people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Read More→
What Is Self Esteem?
Blog

What is Self Esteem?

  • June 14, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT details what self-esteem is, and looks at the powerful connections it has to our emotional well-being
Read More→
Why Narcissists Act The Way They Do
Blog

Why Narcissists Act the Way They Do

  • May 28, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the psychological and emotional origins of narcissistic traits.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: How To Leave A Narcissist Or Abuser
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: How to Leave a Narcissist or Abuser

  • May 3, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT offers tips for overcoming self doubt while ending relationships with narcissistic or abuse partners.
Read More→
Need-Fulfillment: The Key To Happiness
Blog

Need-Fulfillment: the Key to Happiness

  • April 7, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explains how meeting our needs may be the key to happiness.
Read More→
What Is A Covert Narcissist?
Blog

What is a Covert Narcissist?

  • March 1, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explains the characteristics of covert narcissists, and looks at their impacts on relationships.
Read More→
What Is The Imposter Syndrome?
Blog

What is the Imposter Syndrome?

  • February 7, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses "imposter syndrome": feeling like a fraud due to self-doubt and lack of confidence.
Read More→
What Is A Narcissist?
Blog

What Is A Narcissist?

  • January 17, 2019
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity

Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how to recognize traits common to people with narcissistic personality traits.

Read More→
Recognizing & Overcoming Denial
Blog

Recognizing & Overcoming Denial

  • November 27, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the unhealthy role denial can play in our lives, and how to change our actions and overcome it.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Narcissists And “Love Bombs”
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Narcissists and “Love Bombs”

  • November 13, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the concept of "love bombs" and the role they can play in relationships with narcissism.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Overcoming Codependency
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Overcoming Codependency

  • October 12, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how codependency can develop inside of relationships, and gives tools for overcoming it.
Read More→
When Parenting Becomes Toxic
Blog

When Parenting Becomes Toxic

  • September 27, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses how emotionally toxic relationships can form between parents and children, and tools on what to do when it happens.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Can A Narcissist Love?
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Can a Narcissist Love?

  • August 17, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
People who love narcissists are starved for expressions of love. But, narcissists are capable of giving them? Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT answers that question in this article.
Read More→
How Cognitive Distortions Harm Us
Blog

How Cognitive Distortions Harm Us

  • July 17, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or perfectionism, your thinking can skew your perceptions. Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT explores how these skewed perceptions can result in cognitive distortions.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Confronting Abuse
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Confronting Abuse

  • June 14, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses abuse in relationships with narcissists, and highlights ways to effectively confront it.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Navigating Codependency
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Navigating Codependency

  • May 15, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT discusses the challenges of codependency, and offers tips for navigating the relationship and mental health challenges it can inspire.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: Warning Signs Of Dating A Narcissist
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: Warning Signs of Dating a Narcissist

  • April 3, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT highlights some of the common warning signs, and blind spots, related to dating someone with narcissistic personality traits.
Read More→
6 Tips For A Mentally Healthy Valentine’s Day
Blog

6 Tips For a Mentally Healthy Valentine’s Day

  • February 13, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • mental health, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, MFT gives 6 tips for making sure your Valentine's Day is enjoyable, and good for your mental health.
Read More→
Mental Health & Relationships: The Stress Of Dating Narcissists
Blog

Mental Health & Relationships: the Stress of Dating Narcissists

  • January 24, 2018
  • Darlene Lancer
  • Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer discusses the mental health strains that can be caused by relationships with people exhibiting narcissism.
Read More→
The Symptoms Of Codependency
Blog

The Symptoms of Codependency

  • October 3, 2017
  • Darlene Lancer
  • codependency, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer, MFT lists the symptoms and signs that someone may be suffering from codependency.
Read More→
Trauma, PTSD, And Codependency: How Life Experiences Affect Our Relationships
Blog

Trauma, PTSD, and Codependency: How Life Experiences Affect Our Relationships

  • June 1, 2017
  • Darlene Lancer
  • codependency, Neurodiversity
Darlene Lancer explores trauma's influence on relationships, and the connection between codependency and PTSD.
Read More→

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