In this enlightening episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes clinical psychologist and trauma expert Dr. Robyn Koslowitz for a powerful conversation on breaking free from psychological control, reclaiming identity, and the complex process of healing from gaslighting.
Dr. Koslowitz, founder of The Center for Psychological Growth and host of the Post-Traumatic Parenting Podcast, draws from her extensive clinical experience working with individuals from insular and high-control communities. She shares profound insights on how gaslighting can dismantle a person's internal world—especially when embedded in religious, cultural, or family systems—and what it takes to rebuild a grounded, authentic sense of self.
Together, Dr. Stern and Dr. Koslowitz explore the emotional traps survivors face, the concept of "post-traumatic growth," and how to parent with emotional resilience after surviving coercive control.
What You'll Learn:
-
How psychological control operates in high-demand environments
-
The link between trauma, gaslighting, and parental identity
-
Why survivors often doubt their perceptions—and how to reclaim clarity
-
Tools for breaking the cycle of generational trauma
-
How to parent with intention after abuse
If you've experienced gaslighting or struggled to trust yourself after emotional abuse, this conversation will offer validation, insight, and real steps toward healing.
For more information about Mental Health Awareness check out these websites:
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - offers advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
MHA (Mental Health America) - focuses on prevention, early identification, and intervention for metnal health conditions.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - U.S. government site providing resources on mental health, substance use, and treatment locators.
ADAA (Anxiety & Depression Association of America) - offers resources and support for those dealing with anxiety, depression and related disorders.
To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone.
Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/
Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a
Dr. Robin Stern's Books:
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.