Rated #1 in ability to illustrate and connect concepts of narcissism through story, metaphor, and slightly spicy wit*
I help clinicians learn to see what's really there
You can see all the signs of trauma, but your client insists they’ve never experienced any…So where is their perfectionism, constant anxiety, and apologies for taking up space coming from?
Identifying narcissistic abuse is sometimes like looking at a 3D visual puzzle. At first, all you see is a confusing pattern that doesn’t make any sense.
But if you look long enough, in just the right way, you might see a shape emerge.
And if you keep looking, you find you can identify the shape and see the image within.
Here at Courageous Heart, you will learn how to see the shape within and help your clients begin to heal.
(See what I mean about having a metaphor for everything?)
Healing from abuse is the work of a courageous heart. So is helping others to heal.
"Okay, Amy. I love your geeky humor and on-point analogies, but how can you help me?"
Fair question.
You aren’t here just for my sparkling wit, pop culture metaphors, and fun personality, after all – you’re here to learn from my 10+ years of experience building a specialty practice centered on the intimate, complex, nuanced, and intricate world of healing from narcissistic abuse. Whether working with individuals, running therapy groups and workshops, writing books or providing continuing education, I have always kept my focus on helping my courageous survivor clients to heal and thrive. Supporting them in healing from complex trauma has been richly rewarding work, and a true labor of love.
As a clinician specializing in complex developmental and relational trauma, I have honed my skills through training in models such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Brainspotting. I stay current on up to the minute research that informs my continuing education programs and consultation. And I am proud to include the Therapist Mentoring Program in my work to increase client access to strong, clinically appropriate, ethical, and comprehensive treatment for survivors of narcissistic abuse.
As the author of two books and a frequently requested speaker and trainer, I had a front row seat to the responses of both clients and clinicians searching for better resources. In conversation after conversation, the feedback was nearly unanimous: there are just not enough narcissism-competent therapists to meet clients’ needs, and there is a thirst for learning and deeper understanding of narcissism within the clinical community.
Amy's Track Record
Highly Trained in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Treatment
Internal Family Systems Level 1, 2, and 3
Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2, with specialty training in Parts Work and Expansion Models
EMDR Basic training
Syzygy Model Informed (combining IFS and EMDR)
Published Author
The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook: Healing from Emotional Abuse (Callisto Media, 2020)
The Clinician’s Guide to Treating Adult Children of Narcissists: Pulling Back the Curtain on Manipulation, Gaslighting, and Emotional Abuse in Narcissistic Families (PESI Publishing, 2023, with Amy Kempe)
Continuing Education Trainer
PESI: Gaslighting 101, Narcissistic Abuse for Therapists, Ambiguous Loss in Narcissistic Relationships: Clinical Skills to Process the Unresolved Grief of Estrangement, and more. Advisor for certification program with PESI, Inc and Evergreen Certifications.
Impact CE: Narcissistic Abuse 101 as well as Complicated Grief and Loss in Narcissistic Relationships.
Elevate CE: Unmasking Gaslighting: Insight, Healing, and Client Empowerment
Featured Expert Speaker
Keynote speaker for The Family Advocacy Program’s Domestic Violence Awareness presentation at Mcguire Dix Lakehurst Military Base
Choose for your clients. Choose for you.
