Relationship Rebuild & Communication Support
Service Type(s):
- Couples Counselling
- Communication Coaching
- Conflict Resolution Support
Service(s) Delivered:
- Joint Intake Session + Individual Check-ins (as needed)
- 8-Session Couples Program
- Communication Frameworks & Take-Home Exercises
A man in his mid-50s sought therapy for Narcissistic Abuse, following the recent separation from his partner of five years. Despite the breakup occurring only a few months prior, he remained deeply trauma bonded to his ex, holding onto idealised fantasies that they could reconcile and that he could work things out. He described a recurring pattern in his relationships, often partnering with women who displayed narcissistic or borderline tendencies. He identified himself as a caretaker, feeling responsible for the emotional regulation of the women in his life. The collapse of the relationship, particularly after the initial “love bombing” phase ended and he was suddenly demonised, left him shocked, confused, and deeply hurt.
In exploring the roots of these patterns, he reflected on his childhood experiences. His mother had been emotionally unstable, leaning on him for support when his father left the family. From a young age, he had internalised a sense of responsibility for the emotional wellbeing of those around him, learning to anticipate others’ needs while suppressing his own. Trauma bonding in adult relationships mirrored these early dynamics, with idealisation and caretaking becoming intertwined with longing for validation and fear of abandonment.
Therapy began with psychoeducation about trauma bonding, projection, and narcissistic dynamics. He came to understand that the demonisation he experienced from his ex was often a projection of her own internal conflicts and unmet needs, rather than an accurate reflection of his worth. This insight helped him begin to differentiate between his partner’s abusive patterns and his own internalised sense of responsibility, a critical step in regaining autonomy and emotional clarity.
Using Somatic Psychotherapy, we explored the physiological and emotional responses triggered by his trauma bonds. He reported sadness in his heart and waves of anxiety and longing whenever he thought about his ex. Early sessions focused on tracking these sensations and recognising automatic caretaker impulses, allowing him to separate the immediate emotional reaction from habitual patterns rooted in childhood.
As therapy progressed, he practised boundary-setting and self-regulation strategies, learning to contain his emotional energy rather than dispersing it to repair or rescue his ex. Somatic Psychotherapy, including expressive movement and breathwork, supported him in processing grief, anger, and shame safely. He gradually learned to hold space for his feelings without becoming enmeshed in the imagined narrative of reconciliation.
A key component of therapy involved differentiating between the needs of the abusive partner and the unresolved dynamics with his mother. By recognising that his lifelong caretaking tendencies were shaped by early attachment disruptions, he could begin to reclaim autonomy and develop healthier relational expectations. Over time, he reported an increased ability to respond rather than react, feeling more grounded in his adult self and less compelled to seek external validation.
At the end of therapy, he described a clearer sense of personal boundaries, self-worth, and emotional independence. While he still felt grief and longing for the lost relationship, these emotions no longer dictated his behaviour or identity and he developed better discernment.
This case highlights how Somatic Psychotherapy can help clients recover from the complex emotional fallout of separating from a narcissistic partner. By working directly with the trauma bond, unpacking projection dynamics, and gently addressing the unresolved attachment wounds that keep these patterns in place, clients can gradually restore their sense of agency and emotional stability
