Testimonials

Kimberly, Age 33

" For many years I thought I understood the relationship between me and my mother. In the beginning our relationship when I was a child, I could have received a perfect report card or all blue ribbons on field day at school; and the common response from my mother was, “Oh, that’s nice honey…” I never felt like I was ever doing anything good enough. I tried harder and harder, but the responses were the same. Later in my teens I went the rebellious route. I strived for horrible grades; I stayed out late and lied to her. These usually ended up with no responses; except she would call her friends and talk about how terrible I was. Then her alcoholism came into play. I was repeatedly reminded of my “bad” behavior from when I was young and told that I wouldn’t make anything of myself. That I should just find a wealthy man and marry him, because I could never have a future or career. When I was older and got engaged, I showed her my 3 carat diamond ring; and her response was, “Well, I hope you’re worth it.” I still strived and would tell her of my accomplishments no matter how large or small they were. Usually she replied with telling me about something great she did, or about where the next cruise was going to take her or how much money she had. Honestly through all of this, I thought this was normal. I never saw what the relationship really was about. I knew I hurt inside and I felt empty and unsuccessful; but I didn’t understand it.

An extraordinary event occurred in my life which led me to Dr. Karyl McBride. The care I received from Dr. McBride was beyond my wildest dreams. I felt like I was a book she had already read and she knew my deepest secrets, secrets I didn’t even know I had. For many years, Dr. McBride has helped me see my life though a different set of eyes. She taught me about narcissism and what it is. She taught me how to recognize it and how it has applied to my life, over and over. The most important gift she gave me and taught me was that no matter what I did in my life, whether it was extremely wonderful or horrifying, it would never change the way my mother is. That the love I hoped for from my mother; wasn’t ever going to happen the way I wanted it to. The best part about all of this is, I learned that IT’S NOT MY FAULT!!! I’m not a victim; I am a survivor with a lifetime of education.

Dr. McBride has given me priceless tools that continue to help me through the deep rooted narcissistic abuse, so I may live a happier life with myself, my son, my husband and family. I have given up the old hope of getting my mother’s love; maybe it’s easier now that she has passed. In turn, the love in my heart is overflowing and more powerful than I ever imagined possible. "

Shauna, Age 42

" I am my own worst critic. These are the words I lived by me entire life. What will people think of me? What if they think I am stupid? What if I’m not pretty enough? What if…what if…what if!!!

Then I met Dr. Karyl McBride and my “what if” changed to “so what”. Believe me writing it is much simpler than living it. The deep rooted narcissistic abuse I lived every day with my mother defined me. I allowed it to define me. I allowed it to run my life, stop me from living my dreams and from feeling and experiencing true love.

I am so grateful for my therapeutic time with Dr. McBride. Understanding how the maternal narcissism I grew up with has controlled the rest of my life as an adult and then actually changing this for myself has been a flight of freedom for me.

I can’t wait until Dr. McBride’s book comes out. There are so many of us who need this book. I wish more people had access to the therapy she offers here in Denver as it certainly changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible. "

Kate, Age 36

" After you discover and name what your life as a daughter of a narcissistic mother was, and is, you are devastated, confused, lonely and yet somewhat relieved. Dr. McBride is able to not only help you identify what happened to you, and validate it, but she helps you to slowly navigate through all the emotions that come rushing in – and lets you know, through her own personal experience, that there is light, and life on the other side! "

Allison, Age 52

" The syndrome created in daughters of narcissistic mothers lurks in shadows with dull, unpredictable edges. Dr. McBride shines a light on those shadows and defines the syndrome making it an entity to be dealt with rather than a quiet, pervasive cloud of fear. While the effects of this damaging upbringing never entirely go away, they can be seen for what they are and minimized to a degree that can be dealt with effectively. Dr. McBride’s own personal style of psychotherapy is perhaps the greatest gift of all. She is upbeat, down to earth, and centered all at once. Daughters of narcissistic mothers have never had their feelings acknowledged and the result can be children who have built a thick wall around their emotional selves. Dr. McBride in her own quiet way helps break down that wall. Clients trust her because they know she truly does care. She sees the gold in people and helps them to see it in themselves. I am very grateful, and consider myself blessed, to have her in my life. "

Tomi, Age 28

" I spent most of my pre-teen, teen and early 20’s in therapy. Twelve years of therapy and I was still struggling with how to relate to my mother. An angel brought Dr. McBride into my life, and the conversations I had with her literally changed my life! I had spent years and years battling with depression, wondering why I was never good enough to earn my mom’s affection. I felt empty inside, and nothing I did seemed to fill that void. Dr. McBride listened to my life story, and then gave a name for the hell I had been living through for so long- narcissistic personality disorder. It was like a huge bag of bricks that I had been carrying around for as long as I can remember, was taken from me. But she didn’t stop with just confirming that my mom had this illness. She helped navigate me through the stages of recovery, letting me know that the range of emotions I was experiencing was completely normal.

3 years later, I have learned how to successfully interact with my mother. So much so that we’re getting along as she plans my huge wedding, something I never through could ever happen! I do have set backs now and then, but I broke the vicious cycle, and I am now able to accept what my mother is and what she isn’t. I am so grateful for Dr. McBride’s guidance, she gave me my life back. Her book will give a voice and hope to those who have suffered the pain inflicted by their mother. But best of all - it gives you solutions so that you can break out of the cycle and take charge of your life. "