If you’re living in Northern Ontario (such as Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Thunder Bay, Kapuskasing), and trying to untangle the lasting impact of emotional/narcissistic abuse –  whether from a partner, a parent, or a workplace relationship – I want to say this first: I see you. And I know how isolating it can feel.

I’ve worked with many clients across Northern Ontario, and something unique comes up again and again: healing in a smaller community brings its own layers. You might be navigating tight-knit circles where “everyone knows everyone.” You might have limited access to in-person support. Or maybe, like so many, you’ve carried your pain in silence for years because you didn’t know what you were experiencing had a name.

But emotional/narcissistic abuse does have a name. And you are allowed to name what happened to you.

I’ve seen it in high-achieving professionals, single parents, students, family members, friends, and caregivers. It can happen to anyone. And it often flies under the radar for years.

Why Northern Ontario-Specific Support Matters

The North is home to some strong and resilient people — and also to very real barriers when it comes to mental health. Resources can be limited. Waitlists are long. And very few therapists are trained in narcissistic abuse recovery.

In smaller communities, trauma can feel magnified. You might be seeing your abuser at the grocery store. Maybe they’re a colleague. Or maybe they hold a respected role in town, and people wouldn’t believe you if you told them the truth…. That’s why it’s so important to work with someone who understands the nuance; someone who doesn’t need to be convinced that what you went through was real.

At Through the Woods Psychotherapy Services, we offer narcissistic abuse-informed therapy, grounded in the work of Dr. Ramani Durvasula and other leading trauma experts. We help you identify patterns of gaslighting, love-bombing, trauma bonding, and emotional neglect — and we help you rebuild your sense of self, without the self-blame.

You Don’t Have to Be “Perfect” to Be Believed

Many of my clients in smaller Northern Ontario towns worry they’ll be seen as “dramatic” or “unstable”. But here’s the truth: survivors of narcissistic abuse often come across as overly reasonable. You’ve spent years walking on eggshells. You’ve learned how to minimize your needs so that others feel comfortable. Therapy isn’t about proving how bad it was: it’s about finally letting yourself be seen.

We don’t expect perfection here. In fact, your mess is welcome. Your grief, your anger, your numbness, all of it makes sense. Narcissistic abuse disconnects you from your body, your boundaries, and your inner voice. Healing is about reconnecting with all three, slowly and safely.

Practical Resources in the Sudbury Area

While our practice is private and online (which means you can access care from the safety of your home), we also love pointing clients toward other helpful local services. If you’re in the Sudbury region, here are a few additional options to explore:

• CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin – for broader mental health support
  
  
• YWCA Genevra House – for those navigating intimate partner violence
  
  
• Sudbury Women’s Centre – for peer support, workshops, and referrals
  
  

We don’t believe therapy should be the only space you feel safe in — but it’s a good place to start.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in a Northern Ontario town and wondering whether what you experienced “counts” as abuse, I can tell you now, it likely does. You don’t need someone else’s permission to heal. You just need a space where your story is taken seriously, where the emotional aftermath isn’t minimized, and where your dignity is held intact.

We offer therapy for survivors of emotional/narcissistic abuse across Ontario, including Sudbury, Timmins, North, Bay, and Thunder Bay, and everywhere in between.

📍Book a free 15-minute consultation
Or email us directly at ttwpsychotherapy@gmail.com with your questions.

And as always, happy healing. 🫶🏻