Publisher's Synopsis
I felt something gentle but mighty touch my shoulder...then a voice like lightning said, "Get Up!" It is not Katherine Tsiampas' education that makes her an expert in narcissistic abuse, but her survival of it. She was injured, weak, afraid, until a pivotal moment when she made the choice to "get up" and cross over to the other side of suffering. Overcoming the trauma and torment loving a narcissist brought forth a faith and inner strength Katherine didn't know she possessed. It transformed her from broken to triumphant. Her decision to stand up, reclaim her power, and find her identity and purpose in God will give many the wisdom and strength to get up, too.
Awarded a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Katherine has been an advanced practiced nurse teaching in higher education for over 20 years. She holds multiple degrees, honors and certifications. In addition to earning a Master's of Degree (MSN) in nursing focused on education and doctorate in leadership and policy change, she is recognized as a neuro-linguistic programming practitioner by the International Guild for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Katherine's passion is to educate those tormented by abuse. She helps others better understand narcissism, how victims are targeted and snared in a den of deception, then trapped in a cycle of narcissistic abuse. Her story helps victims navigate recovery in a society still ill-equipped to help victims of this complex and poorly understood type of abuse.
Using storytelling, the protagonist in her memoirs transforms from victim to triumphant. The layers used in this thrilling allegorical literary work are woven with scientific evidence based research about narcissistic personality disorder(NPD) and the effects of its abuse on the mind, body and soul.
By targeting victims, narcissists guarantee success by taking advantage of people they view as having weak boundaries. Mixed with nonfiction, the metaphorical use of the lion paints a vivid picture of the dynamics between narcissists and empathic or codependent victims.
After reading this book, it becomes clear how strategies such as love bombing, hoovering, gaslighting, projection, blame shifting, and ghosting are used to create a trauma bond. Providing definitions for terms which are personified in a raw, real life depiction of how tactics can diminish one's self-esteem, self-worth, and self-identity readers will become well-informed. The tactics and their effects are creatively exposed in this well- articulated testimony.
Using informative writing grounded in science the book provides a clear picture of the progression and escalation of abuse. Strategies used to gain and maintain control are organized using the stages of the narcissistic cycle of abuse. Victims can identify clearly how they were targeted and groomed within phases of idealization, devaluation and discard illustrated in this book. Katherine explains characteristics of and goes deeper to validate how narcissists practice master manipulations in order weaken and destabilize their victims and reveals how they can gain control.
Narcissistic abuse uses all forms of intimate partner abuse including emotional, psychological, sexual, spiritual and physical abuse. Unrecognized it can completely break the human spirit and in some cases escalate into domestic violence. Through this provocative and personal testimony the dangers of exploitative relationships are confirmed.
The declaration of truths, overcoming the trauma, developing a strong identity and inner strength found in Christ will inspire any reader. Katherine's journey can teach victims there is a way out of the darkness in the lion's den."In the midst of my awakening, I recognized that I was fighting with the devil himself, but that I was never alone. Although I was a victim largely of my own choices, the Holy Spirit within me, revealed there was a battle coming against me and I was going to win." -Kathy T.
