logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
47m 27s

Examining the "Victim Mentality"

Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
About this episode
What do therapists mean when they say someone has a "victim mentality"? In this episode, we unpack this flippant term and explore what’s going on underneath it. We recognize that "victim mentality" is applied to several distinct phenomena. We discuss the difference between being an actual victim of harm, using "victimhood" as a protective defense, and unproc ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
It's Not Morbid to Talk About Death
Are you comfortable talking about death with your clients? Not just around their grief and losses, but also about their own future deaths. Some clients will be open about their anxieties, while others unconsciously express their feelings through things seemingly entirely differen ... Show More
43m 5s
Mar 4
Where Story Meets Science
Inspired by the new research article critiquing and perhaps 'debunking' polyvagal theory, we are sitting with the tension between adjusting to emerging neuroscience findings while also offering clients frameworks that genuinely help them make sense of their experiences and feelin ... Show More
41m 16s
Feb 25
Should We Bring Back Shame?
Hear us out... we know that so many of our clients are in therapy specifically to work through chronic shame, and we work alongside them to pull back the layers and find self-compassion. To learn more about that process, you can listen to our episode on Working with Shame. We cam ... Show More
38m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
703 The Difference Between Being A Victim + Having a Victim Mentality
tail spinning
24m 21s
Aug 2023
Embracing Fate: Nietzsche's Answer to the Victim Mentality
Start here: If you want to build a consistent Stoic practice — not just listen to one — I made a free 7-day challenge. One short audio lesson per day, one practice to try. No fluff. stoicchallenge.co---"It's possible to be a legitimate victim of something... but to not be consume ... Show More
31m 12s
May 2025
#455 Becoming the Curator of Your Mind
In this episode, I share a raw and reflective recording from a recent membership call where I explore what it means to truly surrender when life isn’t going the way we planned. I open up about personal struggles—from a home renovation disaster to deeper emotional reckonings—and u ... Show More
23m 7s
Aug 2025
Fawning: A Hidden Response to Trauma With Dr. Ingrid Clayton
In this conversation,Trauma psychologist and author Dr. Ingrid Clayton shares her journey of healing from complex trauma and the significance of the fawn response in understanding relational dynamics. She discusses her experiences as a survivor and therapist, emphasizing the impo ... Show More
34m 54s
Mar 2025
448: Heal Trauma End Self-Abandonment with Dr. Nima Rahmany
<p dir="ltr">Today, we're diving into the world of trauma healing and emotional regulation with the insightful Dr. Nima Rahmany. If you've ever found yourself caught in the web of people-pleasing or feeling like you're stuck in a cycle of self-abandonment, this episode is your go ... Show More
50m 9s
Dec 2024
How to Overcome Victim Mindset and Take Responsibility For Your Life, w/ James Oliver
<p>James Oliver is a Self-Leadership Coach and Men’s Work Facilitator from the UK. He works with impact-driven men from around the world, to help them overcome resistance, self-doubt and shame, so that they can live freely, joyfully and in pursuit of their highest potential and p ... Show More
57m 9s
Aug 2024
Dealing with Other People’s Defenses
Forrest and Dr. Rick tackle the tricky topic of dealing with other people’s psychological defenses. It’s often easier to see other people’s defenses than to see our own, which can make them particularly frustrating to deal with. In this episode, Rick and Forrest explore the psych ... Show More
1h 13m
Aug 2025
Fawning: Answering Your Questions With Dr. Ingrid Clayton
In this conversation, host Monique Koven has invited Dr Ingrid Clayton back to answer your questions. They explore the concept of fawning as a relational trauma response, discussing its implications on identity, relationships, and personal growth. They delve into the complexities ... Show More
50m 39s
Jun 2025
Cognitive Psychologist: Break Free from a Victim Mindset | Scott Barry Kaufman
<p><em>What if the greatest obstacle to reaching your potential isn't external barriers, but a mindset in which you see yourself as a victim?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p><p>Today, I’m stoked to welcome back my good friend and one of my favorite thinkers, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. Th ... Show More
57m 16s