Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs

Codependency is an umbrella term used to describe a broad spectrum of emotional, mental and behavioral, subconscious, and automatic trauma responses developed in early childhood as an adaptation to chronic, inescapable stress. While over-functioning as a small child, to avoid rejection, the child's nervous system learns to scan their environment for potential threats. This scanning is called hypervigilance, and it also exiles the inner child into an abyss. Children of toxic, dysfunctional parents, families, and circumstances are denied the compassionate adult, whose role is to mentor, teach, and guide a child in a way that nurtures a positive sense of self. The very basics of healthy human interraction are not modeled. A child who has learned they must scan their environment must: Use their conscious waking hours scanning their parents' facial expressions, moods, and tones--while this is occurring, a child is learning how to morph and adapt, rather than explore the inner self, their inner child, their inner landscape Abandoning the self, including their innate needs, wants, emotions, and right to be authentic, to avoid further emotional neglect, abuse, bullying, or rejection—while this survival response was useful during childhood, the adult child eventually learns that they often don't know what they want or need. This can be a frustrating experience in therapy and relationships. If you are codependent, you may have felt frustrated in therapy when asked, "What do you need" What do you want?"  Codependents do not know what they need.  They Struggle to Trust Their Inner World Codependency is built on self-abandonment. Many codependents grew up in environments where their emotions were dismissed, mocked, punished, or ignored. Carl Jung would say their inner child—what he called the "Divine Child"—was exiled. So when asked: "What do you feel?" "What do you want?" "What do you need?" …they genuinely do not know. This creates enormous frustration in therapy, because the inner world feels foreign, inaccessible, or even dangerous. The codependent has learned to trust external authority over inner intuition. Reconnecting with the inner self requires time, patience, and the slow dismantling of shame. Therapy asks them to return to a Self they have never been allowed to meet. The journey back home must be slow, steady, and compassionate; otherwise, therapy can sometimes cause more harm than good and lead to a codependent person trying to please the therapist, thereby reenacting a facet of their adaptation survival response. Begin Your Healing Journey: Lisa introduces her signature 12 Week Breakthrough Method—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program created specifically for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature caregivers.   Inside the program, you'll be guided through: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization Neuroscience Backed Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and start living from your true self Embrace shadow work from a higher state of consciousness to experience integration This method has helped thousands heal from complex trauma and break toxic generational patterns, with tools to rewire limiting beliefs and build authentic self-worth. 👉 Learn more: here #CodependencyRecovery #InnerChildHealing #NarcissisticParent #EmotionalNeglect #TraumaInformedHealing #ComplexTrauma #SelfAbandonment #NeuroscienceBasedHealing

Why do we get stuck on the path of healing—even when we know what to do? In this profound and spiritually charged episode, Lisa A. Romano explores what it truly means to break through the veil—the illusion of the false self that trauma and programming have built around our consciousness. Lisa reveals how trauma rewires the brain to associate authenticity with danger, causing us to abandon our true selves and live from the ego's illusion of safety. Through the lens of neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality, she helps listeners understand why healing requires more than insight—it requires reprogramming the mind and meeting the shadow self head-on. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ How trauma wires the brain for survival over truth and authenticity 🧠 Why the brain mistakes the unfamiliar (like love or peace) as unsafe 💫 What "breaking the mirror of self" means on a neurological and spiritual level 🪞 How to detach from false identity—"I'm not my thoughts, not my fears, not my name" 🌌 Why ego death is necessary for spiritual rebirth and emotional freedom ⚡ How to move from survival into thriving through conscious awareness and metacognition This episode is for you if: ✔️ You feel spiritually stuck even after years of self-work ✔️ You struggle to let go of people, habits, or beliefs that no longer serve you ✔️ You crave emotional freedom and want to understand why your brain resists change ✔️ You're ready to see beyond the illusion of self and live as an extension of consciousness Begin Your Breakthrough Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program gives you the neuroscience-based roadmap to rewire your subconscious mind, calm your nervous system, and reconnect with your true self beyond trauma and illusion. 👉 Start your journey today: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #TraumaHealing #SpiritualAwakening #EgoDeath #ShadowWork #InnerChildHealing #Consciousness #NeuroscienceOfHealing #TraumaRecovery #SubconsciousMind #CodependencyRecovery #HealingJourney #LisaARomanoPodcast #YouAreEnough #12WeekBreakthrough

Why do so many high-functioning adults secretly feel "something's wrong"—even when life looks fine on paper? In this empowering episode, Lisa A. Romano uncovers the ACOA blind spot: the predictable patterns that form when alcoholism (or "dry" alcoholism) and emotional neglect shape a family system. You'll learn the five core patterns that keep adult children and grandchildren of alcoholics stuck—and the practical roadmap for getting your power, clarity, and self-respect back. The 5 patterns you'll recognize: Reality Denied — Gaslighting and minimization train you to distrust your own signals Feelings Weren't Safe — Emotions got linked to danger, so you muted your inner compass Survival Roles = Identity — Caretaker/hero/scapegoat/lost child replace authentic selfhood Wired for Chaos — The brain's predictive coding + hypervigilance keep you on high alert Internalized Shame — The hidden "I'm the problem" lens that sabotages love and worth You'll also learn: How to bring the prefrontal cortex online and soothe Amy the amygdala & Harry the hippocampus Journaling and mindfulness practices that reorganize the mind and rebuild self-trust Language to spot covert denial, dry alcoholism, and narcissistic dynamics—fast This episode is for you if: No one in your family talks about addiction, yet dysfunction is obvious You're praised for being "strong," but feel unseen, anxious, or chronically not enough You keep tolerating disrespect or pick partners who exploit your caretaking You're ready to identify the hole in the wall—and finally fix it Begin Your Breakthrough Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program gives you a step-by-step, neuroscience-based path to calm your nervous system, reprogram subconscious patterns, and rebuild a self-concept rooted in worthiness. 👉 Start your journey: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #ACOA #AdultChildrenOfAlcoholics #IntergenerationalTrauma #CodependencyRecovery #EmotionalNeglect #InnerChildHealing #NervousSystemRegulation #OrganizedMind #Boundaries #LisaARomanoPodcast #YouAreEnough #codependency #emotionalhealing  #healingchildhoodtrauma #innerchildwork 

Codependents, people-pleasers, those who fawn, seek approval, and external validation, do not consciously understand why they are so frustrated and unhappy. Codependency and fawning are trauma responses that all lead to anger, and resentment. Oftentimes, those who are struggling with emotional and mental health issues, who seek help, are misunderstood when they are codependent. Their symptoms are vague, yet incredibly disruptive and tormenting. When a codependent seeks help, they complain about others, because they have been programmed to believe that someone or something outside of them is the cure for their ills.  In this episode, Lisa A. Romano reveals how knowledge helps us organize the mind. Taking an objective look at our family of origin history helps unlock the secrets to why we do what we do, think what we think, and feel what we feel. When Lisa was finally diagnosed with codependency, and her therapist helped her investigate her family history, feeling stuck, angry, and resentful all began making sense.  Today you will learn about: 🌱 Family history and why it matters if you feel stuck.  🌱 Why anxiety is a symptom of a lack of self-knowledge.  🌱 How learning to embrace inner child and codependency recovery work helps you repair        those early stages of emotional development that went awry  🌱How your grandparents alcoholism effected the way your parents parent you 🌱 Why all adult children of alcoholics, narcissists and dysfunctional parents pass along unhealed trauma Your Healing Starts Within Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program is a neuroscience-based roadmap to help you gently rewire subconscious patterns, regulate your nervous system, and return home to your authentic self. 👉 Begin your journey: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #HealingJourney #SpiritualAwakening #InnerConnection #TraumaRecovery #NeuroscienceHealing #SelfDiscovery #YouAreEnough #LisaARomanoPodcast #PurposeWithin #toxicfamily #adultchildrenofalcoholics #lettinggo #innerchildhealing #toxicfamilysystems #codependencyrecovery #lisaaromano #mentalhealthpodcast #healingjourney #selfhelppodcast 

Have you ever been accused of being a problem simply because you brought up a problem? In healthy relationships, it is essential that couples feel safe and are on the same page. It is normal to want your relationship to grow, and to wonder where the line is when it comes to bringing things to your partner's attention that you would like to change. However, there are red flags you need to be aware of particularly if you struggle with fawning, people pleasing, insecure attachment and tend to be the codependent partner in relationships.  In this episode, Lisa A. Romano Codependency Expert and Breakthrough Life Coach, helps us get clear about some communication guidelines that can help us make clear, logical, and fair decsions about our relationships. Does your partner accuse you of being the only problem simply because you want to talk about a problem? Are they passive-aggressive, and do they punish you for bringing up an issue you'd like to work out? Do they deny a problem exists at all, making it impossible for you to experience any movement forward in your relationship or resolution? Are you being gaslit, devalued, or ignored for talking about a real issue? Consider these red flags, and also ask yourself: Does my partner have the willingness to listen? Are they capable of real change? Do they want to work on the relationship? Before walking away or making any major life decisions, getting clear about your partner's behaviors, intentions, and level of willingness to discuss, change, or work on marital issues, allows you to act on your own behalf with confidence rather than codependently. Ready to Conquer the Inner Child Wounds that Keep You Repeating Codependency? Click below to learn more about The 12 Week Breakthrough Coaching Program—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program created specifically for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature caregivers, who are ready to ascend the chains of the past.  Inside the program, you'll be guided through: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization Neuroscience Backed Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and start living from your true self Embrace shadow work from a higher state of consciousness to experience integration This method has helped thousands heal from complex trauma and break toxic generational patterns, with tools to rewire limiting beliefs and build authentic self-worth. 👉 Learn more: here #CodependencyRecovery #InnerChildHealing #NarcissisticParent #EmotionalNeglect #TraumaInformedHealing #ComplexTrauma #SelfAbandonment #NeuroscienceBasedHealing  

Adult children of alcoholics, and those raised in narcissistic, toxic, neglectful and unpredictable homes, who decide to dive into self growth, self help and emotional healing, inevitably learn that they cannot unsee what they see now that they have awakened to the truth of their toxic family dynamics. This can be a distressing time for someone who has identified themselves as a caretaker, rescuer, people pleaser and who has felt responsible for maintaining family relationships, at all costs, and even at the expense of their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.  It is bittersweet to awaken to the truth of a toxic family system, and to be confronted by the fact that just because you can see the truth, it does not imply the people you love, who you have been enmeshed with and you have tried to save, fix or rescue, will want to see what you see.  In this episode, Lisa A. Romano, opens up about the emotional challenges of a healing adult child who struggles with abandonment trauma, codependency, and the fear of disconnection, who fawns to keep toxic family dynamics and unhealthy friendships afloat when they discover that they must let go of those they love.  In this episode, you will learn: ✨How to get more comfortable with accepting the uncomfortable reality of having to let someone you love go. ✨How codependency pushes God's love out and idolizes fear instead.  ✨What you need to know about making a spiritually aligned decision when needing to end a toxic relationship with a loved one, family or friend.  ✨Easy to recall Biblical Scriptures that reinforce the need for healthy boundaries when any relationship fills your heart with fear vs God's love. Your Healing Starts Within Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program is a neuroscience-based roadmap to help you gently rewire subconscious patterns, regulate your nervous system, and return home to your authentic self. 👉 Begin your journey: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #HealingJourney #SpiritualAwakening #InnerConnection #TraumaRecovery #NeuroscienceHealing #SelfDiscovery #YouAreEnough #LisaARomanoPodcast #PurposeWithin #toxicfamily #adultchildrenofalcoholics #lettinggo #innerchildhealing #toxicfamilysystems #codependencyrecovery #lisaaromano #mentalhealthpodcast #healingjourney #selfhelppodcast     

If you've ever felt lost, numb, or silently asked yourself "Why do I feel so disconnected from life?" — this episode was made for you. Lisa A. Romano breaks down the root of disconnection through the lens of trauma, neuroscience, and spiritual awakening, revealing that the real crisis isn't outside of us — it's the illusion that we are separate from our true self. From childhood abandonment to social media comparison, our brains are programmed to seek meaning outside of us. But the more we chase purpose externally, the further we drift from the one place it has always been — within. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ Why trauma wires the brain to predict danger instead of joy 🧠 How subconscious programming creates a false identity—and how to break it 🪞 What it means to "merge with self" and stop living in survival mode 🕊️ A simple path to restoring meaning through presence, meditation, and self-observation You'll resonate deeply with this episode if: ✔️ You feel emotionally disconnected or spiritually empty ✔️ You live in your head more than your body ✔️ You crave peace but don't know how to access it ✔️ You're ready to stop chasing purpose and start embodying it Your Healing Starts Within Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program is a neuroscience-based roadmap to help you gently rewire subconscious patterns, regulate your nervous system, and return home to your authentic self. 👉 Begin your journey: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #HealingJourney #SpiritualAwakening #InnerConnection #TraumaRecovery #NeuroscienceHealing #SelfDiscovery #YouAreEnough #LisaARomanoPodcast #PurposeWithin

What if everything you believe about who you are — your name, your past, your emotions, even your thoughts — is not actually you? In this powerful episode, Lisa A. Romano guides you beyond surface-level healing and into the core illusion that keeps so many of us trapped: the false self. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and spiritual wisdom, Lisa reveals how trauma wires the brain to associate authenticity with danger, keeping us neurologically stuck in survival mode long after the threat is gone. When safety is wired to people-pleasing, fawning, or emotional shutdown, the real you gets buried beneath layers of programming. But through conscious awakening, and by breaking through veil after veil of illusion, you can remember who you truly are. In this episode, you'll discover: ✨ Why your brain resists emotional truth even when your soul craves freedom 🧠 How survival patterns become neurological defaults 🚪 The moment you realize "That's not me" and shatter ego-identification 🔥 Why authenticity feels unsafe (and how to rewire it as safety) 🌟 The radical power of witnessing yourself as consciousness instead of conditioning This episode is for you if: ✔️ You feel stuck in the same emotional cycles ✔️ You've done inner work but still don't feel fully free ✔️ You've questioned your identity, purpose, or sense of self ✔️ You're ready to step into higher consciousness Begin Your Breakthrough Lisa's signature 12 Week Breakthrough Program is a neuroscience-based roadmap designed to help you break through subconscious programming, regulate your nervous system, and return to your true self. 👉 Start your journey: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #InnerChildHealing #SpiritualAwakening #TraumaRecovery #NeuroscienceHealing #EgoDeath #CodependencyRecovery #HigherConsciousness #LisaARomanoPodcast #FalseSelf #AuthenticSelf #12WeekBreakthrough

Saying NO is the turning point in recovery from codependency, narcissistic abuse, and childhood trauma. But for adult children of alcoholics and trauma survivors, it can feel terrifying—like you're choosing rejection or abandonment. In this episode, we'll explore why the first boundary is always the hardest, and why it's also the most powerful step toward freedom. You'll discover: Why your brain links "no" with danger and rejection How childhood programming makes boundaries feel unsafe Why toxic people push back when you finally walk away How saying no rewires your brain for self-love and peace If guilt, fear, or self-doubt rise up when you try to protect your peace, this episode will remind you: you're not broken—your brain is coded to expect pain. And with awareness, you can rewrite that code. 💡 Stay through the end for practical encouragement to stay strong in your healing journey. Start your healing today with the groundbreaking, science backed, psychologist approved 12 Week Breakthrough Method. Click here to learn more 👉 Subscribe for more on codependency recovery, emotional healing, boundaries, and breaking free from toxic family dynamics. #HealingJourney #CodependencyRecovery #ToxicPeople #EmotionalHealing #Boundaries #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #InnerChildHealing

Breaking Free from Shame, Codependency, and Toxic Family Systems Growing up in a toxic family system wires you to live in shame and codependency—and often leads you to attract narcissists or relationships that repeat the cycle. In this episode, Lisa A. Romano explains how childhood trauma programs your brain and nervous system for survival, and how you can begin breaking free from people-pleasing, guilt, and self-abandonment. If you're ready to reclaim your self-worth and step out of survival mode, this is your wake-up call. ✨ This episode is a must-listen if you: Grew up with alcoholism, narcissism, or neglect in your family system Feel stuck in codependent patterns and toxic relationships Struggle with guilt, shame, or saying "no" Long to reclaim your self-worth and live authentically 👉 Begin your healing journey today: 50% Off the 12 Week Breakthrough Method   #CodependencyRecovery #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #AdultChildrenOfAlcoholics #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalNeglect #ToxicFamilySystems #HealingShame #BreakthroughMethod #SelfAbandonmentRecovery

In this powerful episode, Lisa A. Romano, trauma-informed life coach and codependency recovery expert, dives deep into the often-overlooked role that anger plays in the healing journey from parental narcissism and complex trauma. Growing up in a dysfunctional family can leave emotional scars that are not easily seen, but they shape how we experience relationships and view ourselves as adults. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How denial serves as a survival strategy in dysfunctional family systems and how it can keep us stuck in toxic patterns The hidden anger that emerges from growing up with one narcissistic parent and another who was passive or emotionally absent Why it's common to feel guilt or confusion when recognizing anger toward a passive parent, even when they weren't overtly harmful How anger toward both parents can fuel the codependent behaviors and emotional dysregulation that often follow complex trauma The critical step of recognizing your anger as a valid emotion in the recovery process, and how it leads to clarity and healing Why This Matters When we grow up in a home where one parent's instability wreaks havoc, and the other's passivity leaves us emotionally unprotected, we internalize survival mechanisms like hyper-independence or helplessness. These patterns affect our ability to set healthy boundaries, build trust, and create meaningful connections later in life. Recognizing anger as part of the healing process is key. It isn't about blaming anyone, but rather about understanding how these dynamics shaped your sense of worth, your self-protection mechanisms, and your relationships today. Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Coaching Program helps you break free from codependency, complex trauma, and the long-lasting effects of narcissistic abuse. Through transformational lessons, journaling exercises, and neuroscience-based tools, this program will guide you toward emotional autonomy and inner peace.  12 Week Breakthrough Method: Start Today for 50% Off Learn More and Sign Up Here   #CodependencyRecovery #NarcissisticAbuse #ComplexTrauma #ParentingTrauma #EmotionalNeglect #InnerChildHealing #TraumaRecovery #LisaRomano #BreakthroughHealing #HealingFromNarcissisticParents

It is estimated that there are at least 28 million adult children of alcoholics in the United States alone. The statistics are staggering. Combine those numbers with a deep understanding of the impact of growing up in an alcoholic home, and it becomes easy to understand why so many adult children struggle with emotional regulation, telling the truth, setting boundaries and with emotional dependencies that result in seeking approval and validation in order to feel somewhat 'normal'. Many adult children of alcoholics do not even know their parents or grandparents were alcoholics. Toxic family systems are enmeshed and shrouded in denial. When the adults in the family are not addressing their trauma, they inadvertently pass that trauma down to their children. Listen in as Lisa A. Romano offers adult children across the globe an opportunity to better understand themselves, how they process their emotions and perceive themselves and the world through a trauma lens, offering all those who are willing and ready an opportunity to live above the veil of consciousness, the only place where true transformation can occur.  This episode is a must-listen if you: Grew up with a parent who struggle with addiction. You are the grandchild of an alcoholic. Recognize that you struggle to know what you want or need. Identify as a cyclebreaker, who is ready to speak the truth and end generational trauma with you! ✨ Pro tip: Understanding your parent's trauma is often a key in recovering from subconscious faulty, negative childhood survival patterns.  Begin Your Healing Journey: Lisa introduces her signature 12 Week Breakthrough Method—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program designed for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature parents. Inside the program, you'll discover: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience. Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization. Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness. Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and live authentically. How to integrate shadow work and break toxic generational patterns. Thousands have transformed their lives with this method—learning to step out of survival mode and into authentic, empowered living. 👉 Learn more: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #CodependencyRecovery #ParentingPatterns #GenerationalHealing #TraumaInformedHealing #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalNeglect #ComplexTrauma #ConsciousParenting #SelfAbandonment #adultchildrenofalcoholics #codependency #lisaaromanopodcast 

When Innocence Feels Like Rejection: How Codependent Mothers Misread Their Children What happens when a child's innocent comment gets filtered through the lens of an unhealthy, codependent mom versus a healthy, emotionally attuned mom? The difference can shape not only the child's self-worth but also the generational cycle of codependency. In this episode, Lisa A. Romano, Breakthrough Life Coach and bestselling author, unpacks how unhealed wounds distort a mother's perception of her child's needs and words. An emotionally unhealthy mother, trapped in her own unresolved pain, may perceive an innocent statement like "I wish I could play with you more" as a personal attack—triggering shame, defensiveness, or withdrawal. A healthy mother, however, sees the same comment for what it is: a child's bid for love and connection. This powerful contrast reveals why addressing codependency is not just self-work—it's generational work. If left unchecked, codependency programs children to feel responsible for others' feelings, abandon their own needs, and repeat the same painful patterns in adulthood. Lisa shows you how to break the cycle by teaching: Why codependent programming distorts reality and causes misinterpretation of innocent words. The neuroscience behind why trauma survivors often personalize others' emotions. How healthy mothers validate their child's truth without collapsing into shame or defensiveness. Why breaking free from codependency is the single most important gift you can pass to your children. This episode is a must-listen if you: Grew up with a parent who made you feel guilty for your feelings. Struggle with people-pleasing or fearing rejection. Want to stop codependency from spilling into your parenting or relationships. Are ready to see how your healing ripples into future generations. ✨ Pro tip: Awareness is the first step. When you learn to recognize these patterns, you reclaim your ability to create healthy connections and stop carrying wounds that were never yours to bear. Begin Your Healing Journey: Lisa introduces her signature 12 Week Breakthrough Method—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program designed for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature parents. Inside the program, you'll discover: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience. Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization. Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness. Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and live authentically. How to integrate shadow work and break toxic generational patterns. Thousands have transformed their lives with this method—learning to step out of survival mode and into authentic, empowered living. 👉 Learn more: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #CodependencyRecovery #ParentingPatterns #GenerationalHealing #TraumaInformedHealing #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalNeglect #ComplexTrauma #ConsciousParenting #SelfAbandonment

The Truth About Empaths, Childhood Trauma, and Shadow Work Are empaths born—or made? In this eye-opening episode, Lisa A. Romano, Breakthrough Life Coach and bestselling author, explores the origin of empathic sensitivity and its powerful connection to childhood trauma, emotional wounding, and spiritual purpose. Some empaths are created through painful early experiences—rejection, abandonment, emotional neglect, and feeling unseen. These wounds condition the developing brain into hypervigilance, keeping the child's psyche locked in "scanning mode." When a child is forced to tune into the emotions and behavior of others to feel safe, they become disconnected from their true self—and this is the breeding ground for codependency. Other empaths are born, arriving with a spiritual assignment. Their nervous systems and emotional bodies are designed to feel what others suppress. Often, these empathic souls absorb the denied pain of their caregivers—especially unhealed maternal figures. Over time, these empaths become sensitive not just to individual pain, but to the collective suffering that society ignores. But without proper tools, empaths can become emotionally capsized, overwhelmed by the very gift they were meant to use consciously. That's why Lisa teaches empaths how to use symbols, metaphors, and boundaries to reframe their experience, and to reclaim the connection to self that trauma stole. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who: Feels deeply affected by other people's moods and energies Grew up walking on emotional eggshells Struggles with codependency, people-pleasing, or emotional burnout Wants to understand the true purpose behind their empathic gifts You'll also learn why many empaths feel called to "fix" or "rescue" others—and why this often stems from unresolved inner child wounds, not divine purpose. Healing begins when we stop absorbing and start integrating. Lisa shares why true transformation for empaths lies in shadow work, conscious integration, and elevating the nervous system. Those brave enough to face their own shadows don't just heal themselves—they become vessels for generational healing. ✨ Pro tip: You may want to listen to this episode more than once. It's packed with golden nuggets that could change your life. Begin Your Healing Journey: Lisa introduces her signature 12 Week Breakthrough Method—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program created specifically for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature caregivers. Inside the program, you'll be guided through: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization Neuroscience Backed Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and start living from your true self Embrace shadow work from a higher state of consciousness to experience integration This method has helped thousands heal from complex trauma and break toxic generational patterns, with tools to rewire limiting beliefs and build authentic self-worth. 👉 Learn more: here #CodependencyRecovery #InnerChildHealing #NarcissisticParent #EmotionalNeglect #TraumaInformedHealing #ComplexTrauma #SelfAbandonment #NeuroscienceBasedHealing #empath    

What happens when the very people who were supposed to love us, protect us, and cherish us turn out to be the source of our deepest pain? In this revealing episode, Lisa A. Romano, trauma-informed life coach and codependency recovery expert, explores the heartbreaking reality behind why so many children grow up loving the very people who harmed them—and how this sets the stage for adult codependency. From narcissistic parents to emotionally neglectful caregivers, this episode dives into the psychology behind trauma bonding, betrayal blindness, and why our subconscious minds cling to toxic dynamics. Lisa unpacks the emotional and neurological imprinting that causes children—and later, adults—to overlook red flags and remain loyal to harmful people. In this episode, you'll discover: 🔍 Why the most dangerous people are often the ones closest to us 🧠 How childhood trauma wires the brain for survival, not clarity 💔 The tragic link between emotional betrayal and codependency 🪞 Why children internalize the abuse and blame themselves 🔁 How unresolved childhood wounds manifest as self-abandonment, people-pleasing, and unhealthy adult relationships This episode is for you if: ✔️ You struggle to set boundaries with family or romantic partners ✔️ You feel guilt or shame for distancing yourself from toxic loved ones ✔️ You often feel drawn to fix, rescue, or gain approval from others ✔️ You suspect your past is still impacting your relationships today Resources Mentioned: 🌱 Start your healing journey with Lisa's groundbreaking 12 Week Breakthrough Program 👉 https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp 📘 Watch Lisa's related video: Why You Still Love the Person Who Hurt You 👉 YouTube Channel – Lisa A. Romano #TraumaBonding #CodependencyRecovery #NarcissisticAbuse #InnerChildHealing #LisaRomano #EmotionalNeglect #ToxicFamily #HealingFromAbuse #BetrayalBlindness #12WeekBreakthrough

Why do we cling to people who hurt us? Why does the fear of abandonment feel so unbearable? In this episode, Lisa A. Romano, expert in trauma recovery and codependency healing, unpacks the powerful link between attachment theory and codependency. From early childhood dynamics to the subconscious fears that drive our adult relationships, Lisa breaks down how insecure attachment styles—like anxious or avoidant—set the stage for emotional dependency, people-pleasing, and self-abandonment. If you've ever felt like you're addicted to love, overly responsible for others, or terrified of being alone, this episode will help you trace those patterns back to their origin—so you can begin to heal them. In this episode, you'll learn:  What attachment theory is—and how it relates to codependency  How unmet childhood needs create fear-based attachment styles Why codependents often attract emotionally unavailable partners  How anxious attachment leads to over-functioning in relationships  Steps to begin forming healthier, more secure connections This episode is for you if you: ✔️ Fear abandonment or rejection in relationships ✔️ Struggle to speak your truth or set healthy boundaries ✔️ Feel responsible for other people's emotions ✔️ Tend to give more than you receive in friendships or love Resources Mentioned: 🌱 Begin healing your attachment wounds with the 12 Week Breakthrough Program 👉 https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp 🎓 Learn more about attachment theory and recovery on Lisa's YouTube channel 👉 YouTube – Lisa A. Romano #AttachmentTheory #CodependencyRecovery #InnerChildHealing #FearOfAbandonment #SelfAbandonment #PeoplePleaser #EmotionalNeglect #HealingFromTrauma #12WeekBreakthrough #LisaRomano  

Borderline personality disorder can be understood as the extreme version of codependency, where, at the core are adult adult children who have suffered from abandonment, rejection, abuse, neglect, and trauma. When an innocent child is unable, through no fault of their own, to connect with their primary caregiver, and especially when that caregiver is actually a source of pain, suffering and instability, the brain of that child is forced to live from the plane of survival. Due to default settings of the personality, brain and nervous system, for the one who has been denied a healthy attachment and who at the same time, also learned that they could not and should not trust the one caring for them, the inner world becomes trapped below the veil of consciousness, living in fear of the love the being so desperately craves.  How Narcissistic Parents Contribute to Borderline Personality Development Children of narcissistic parents often grow up in environments marked by emotional unpredictability. One moment, the parent may be intrusive, critical, or controlling, and the next they may be cold, withdrawn, or dismissive. This creates a push-pull dynamic where the child never feels secure. Over time, this instability fragments the child's developing sense of self. Because their emotional needs are dismissed or punished, the child learns to fear abandonment while simultaneously fearing engulfment. They internalize the belief that love is unstable, unsafe, and conditional.  As adults, this unresolved conflict can manifest as borderline traits: Intense fear of abandonment Unstable self-image Difficulty regulating emotions Stormy, chaotic relationships These symptoms are not "character flaws" but survival adaptations to a childhood where the parent's narcissism left no room for stable, secure attachment. How Narcissistic Parents Create Codependency While borderline traits stem from instability, codependency develops from self-abandonment. In a narcissistic home, children quickly learn that their parent's approval, affection, or even basic safety hinges on meeting the parent's emotional needs.  The child becomes hypervigilant, scanning the parent for shifts in mood, anticipating outbursts, and adapting themselves to keep the peace. This conditioning teaches the child: "My needs don't matter." "I must earn love by taking care of others." "If I say no, I'll lose connection." As adults, these children often: Over-function in relationships Prioritize others' needs above their own Struggle to set boundaries without guilt Confuse love with caretaking or control This is the essence of codependency: a pattern of chronic self-abandonment rooted in early survival strategies. ✅ Bottom line: Both borderline personality traits and codependency share the same root wound — a lack of secure, validating parental love. One path (borderline) reflects the inner chaos of unstable attachment, while the other (codependency) reflects the learned habit of self-erasure for connection. Both are survival strategies that can be unlearned through conscious healing, reparenting, and building self-trust. Ready to breakthrough these subconscious patterns? Start here with The 12 Week Breakthrough Method #borderlinepersonality #childhoodtraumarecoverypodcast #codependencyrecovery #innerchildhealing #mentalhealthpodcast #lisaaromanopodcast #narcissisticmother #narcissisticparents #selfawareness #selfdevelopment #healingjourney #awakening #higherself #consciousness   

In this powerful episode, trauma-informed life coach and codependency recovery expert Lisa A. Romano explores the hidden dangers of falling for charisma—especially for adult children of narcissistic or emotionally immature parents. If you've ever been drawn to someone magnetic and charming, only to feel emotionally used, discarded, or confused, this episode will help you understand the deeper psychological dynamics at play. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why individuals with abandonment trauma and codependent traits are especially susceptible to charm How narcissists use charisma as a tool of emotional manipulation and control The devastating impact of betrayal by someone who once made you feel special, seen, or chosen How to distinguish real connection from performative affection Why ignoring your gut instincts leads to emotional disorientation—and how to start trusting yourself again Why This Matters Charisma is not the same as character. For those who have experienced childhood emotional neglect, the attention of a charismatic partner can feel intoxicating—like love, validation, and safety all rolled into one. But when that charm is weaponized by someone with narcissistic tendencies, it can leave you emotionally devastated and doubting your sense of reality. This episode is for anyone ready to wake up from the spell of manipulative charm and step into a more grounded, self-aware, and emotionally empowered life. Take the Next Step Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Method is a neuroscience-based program designed to help you uncover the subconscious beliefs keeping you stuck in toxic relationship cycles. Learn how to heal from emotional abuse, build a healthy self-concept, and reconnect to your intuition. Explore the Breakthrough Method at 50% Off https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp

In this powerful episode, Lisa A. Romano explores how codependency erodes authenticity and keeps people trapped in the exhausting cycle of people-pleasing. If you struggle to speak your truth, constantly seek approval, or fear setting boundaries, this episode will help you understand the deeper root of why you hide your authentic self—and how to begin unmasking the people pleaser within. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why people-pleasing is a trauma response rooted in childhood survival How codependency develops when authenticity is punished or ignored The difference between genuine kindness and compulsive approval-seeking Why suppressing your needs leads to resentment, burnout, and emotional confusion Practical steps to reconnect with your true self and honor your voice Why This Episode Matters Many adult children of emotionally immature, narcissistic, or unavailable caregivers learn early on that being "the good one" is the only way to feel safe. Over time, this coping mechanism becomes a false self—one that performs for acceptance while abandoning its truth. But healing is possible. By understanding the connection between childhood emotional neglect and adult codependency, you can begin the courageous journey back to your authentic self—one boundary at a time. Take the Next Step Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Method is a neuroscience-informed system designed to help you unlearn codependent behaviors, reclaim your voice, and build a self-concept rooted in worth and truth. Learn more: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp #CodependencyRecovery #PeoplePleasing #AuthenticSelf #ChildhoodTrauma #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalNeglect #SpeakYourTruth #BoundariesMatter #HealingJourney #LisaRomano

If you grew up feeling emotionally unsafe, unseen, or like your feelings didn't matter, you may have unknowingly developed codependent behaviors rooted in childhood emotional neglect. In this powerful episode, Lisa A. Romano, codependency recovery expert, breaks down how early life experiences shape your nervous system and self-worth—and why the "invisible child" often becomes an adult trapped in patterns of people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and toxic relationship cycles.  In This Episode, You'll Learn: How childhood trauma, emotional instability, or neglect programs the brain for codependency Why feeling unsafe as a child rewires your nervous system to seek external validation How beliefs like "I'm not enough" become subconscious blocks to self-esteem The hidden link between early emotional trauma and compulsive rescuing or caretaking How to start reclaiming emotional safety through boundaries, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation  Why This Episode Matters Codependency is not just about behavior—it's about the emotional blueprint you were given as a child. If no one ever mirrored your worth or made space for your needs, you may now unconsciously look to others for permission to feel safe, lovable, or whole. But healing begins with visibility—recognizing your patterns and rewiring the beliefs that keep you stuck.  Take Action: Journal Prompt: When was the first time you felt emotionally unsafe or invisible? How is that experience still influencing your relationships today? Self-Awareness Practice: Next time you feel the urge to fix or please someone, ask yourself: "Is this about honoring me—or avoiding rejection?"  Continue the Journey: Discover Lisa's neuroscience-based system for codependency recovery in the 👉 12 Week Breakthrough Method: https://www.lisaaromano.com/12-wbcp