OPENHOUSE with Louise Rumball and leading therapists

137 - Understanding Toxic Relationships ft. Dr Tari Mack

Dec 29, 2023

35:19

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Dr. Tari Mack, a clinical psychologist specializing in toxic relationships, joins to unpack the complex dynamics of love gone wrong. She reveals how toxic relationships often disguise themselves as passion and excitement, leading to manipulation. They discuss signs of toxicity that frequently go unnoticed and emphasize the crucial role of setting boundaries early on. Dr. Mack also highlights the emotional toll of accepting disrespect and encourages open dialogue about feelings over accusations, offering insight into healthier communication.

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Quick takeaways

Recognizing signs of toxicity in relationships can prevent emotional pain, as many individuals justify harmful behaviors due to sporadic good moments.

Establishing and respecting boundaries early in relationships is essential for promoting self-trust and emotional safety against manipulation and disrespect.

Deep dives

Recognizing Toxic Relationships

Identifying the signs of a toxic or abusive relationship is crucial for one's emotional and mental well-being. Many individuals overlook behaviors that may signal toxicity, often justifying the actions of their partner due to occasional good moments or the fear of being alone. A key insight from the discussion is that recognizing patterns of disrespect, manipulation, and emotional pain is essential to understand the true nature of the relationship. The conversation emphasizes the importance of shedding light on these aspects, helping individuals see beyond their feelings to gain clarity about their circumstances.

Calm Conversations Conquer Chaos

01:47

Honeymoon Illusions Unveil Realities

01:29

Recognize Wounds, Reject Disrespect

01:14

Intro

5min

Navigating Toxic Relationships

18min

Navigating Jealousy and Communication in Relationships

2min

Navigating Boundaries in Toxic Relationships

2min

Navigating the Emotional Labyrinth of Toxic Relationships

4min

Toxic relationships aren’t bad ALL of the time - and that’s part of the problem. Today, Louise & clinical psychologist Dr. Tari Mack talk about how often toxic and abusive relationships can get labeled as ‘passionate’ or ‘rollercoaster’ and can have us walking on eggshells or begging for forgiveness while we wait for the good moments to return.

The pair discuss:

How most relationships don’t start out as toxic or abusive and, instead, toxicity develops over time when the cracks start to appear.
How a toxic person, or someone with toxic traits, may actually be grooming you early on to not have boundaries and to be the powerless party.
Why a toxic person will make YOU responsible for their actions or feelings.
The most common and frequent signs of toxic and abusive relationships that often get overlooked or brushed under the rug.
How your first moments of conflict will show you a lot about the other person.
How important it is to set boundaries early in a relationship and understand how the other responds to those boundaries.
How a lack of respect from another can lead to self-doubt and lowered self-trust within yourself.
The pair also discuss how important it is to NOT accept disrespect in relationships while trying to make space for ‘understanding’ the other person’s wounds and why they act that way. Dr. Tari Mack also helps to explain why we make excuses for other people’s behavior and how, instead, we can talk through how situations make us feel, rather than accusing or losing our sh*t.

The pair also discusses how crucial it is to NOT accept disrespect in relationships while attempting to create room for 'understanding' the other person’s wounds and the reasons behind their actions. Dr. Tari Mack also explains why we tend to make excuses for other people’s behavior and suggests that instead, we focus on discussing how situations make us feel, rather than resorting to accusations or losing our composure.

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Join OPENHOUSE PREMIUM now & access our community room ‘The House’ at: https://openhouse.supercast.com/

Connect with Louise on Instagram: @iamlouiserumball

Follow Louise (The Therapy Girl) on TikTok: @thetherapygirl__

Connect with OPENHOUSE: @theopenhousepodcast

Connect with Dr. Tari Mack on Instagram: @drtarimack

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