Healing from narcissistic abuse is a deeply personal and often intricate process. Survivors often describe feeling as though their sense of self has been shattered—leaving them fragmented like a mirror once reflecting their identity. While there is no single path or practice that can claim to restore all the broken pieces, shamanic healing can be a profound companion on this deeply spiritual and emotional journey.
The Layers of Healing After Narcissistic Abuse
Surviving narcissistic abuse leaves wounds on multiple levels. The psychological toll of gaslighting can cause mental fog and confusion, while emotional storms of self-doubt swirl in the aftermath. Perhaps most overlooked is the energetic and spiritual disconnection that occurs when one’s personal truth is continually questioned and stripped away. Narcissistic abuse is not just psychological—it's deeply spiritual. It disrupts the connection to one's soul and intuition, leaving a survivor lost in a fog of confusion.
For many, the question “Who am I outside of this pain?” is central to their healing. While therapy can provide critical insights, survivors often feel the need for a deeper connection—something that brings them back to the whole of who they are. This is where shamanic healing can offer invaluable support.
What Is Shamanic Healing?
Shamanic healing focuses not only on the mind and body but also on the spirit. In many traditions, trauma is believed to embed itself within the energetic body, creating scars that disrupt one’s vitality. Shamanic practices, such as soul retrieval and ceremonial healing, help individuals reclaim lost fragments of the self and restore spiritual harmony. By addressing trauma at the soul level, these practices offer a means of reintegrating the fragmented pieces that narcissistic abuse may have splintered.
Shamanic Healing in the Context of Narcissistic Abuse
Shamanic healing can be particularly effective for survivors of narcissistic abuse because it addresses the loss of self that often accompanies this type of trauma. Survivors typically experience a gradual erosion of their identity as they are manipulated and gaslighted, leading to a profound disconnection from their authentic selves. Through practices like soul retrieval, guided journeys, and energetic cleansing, shamanic healing allows for the restoration of these lost parts of the self and the reconnection to one's inner truth.
- Soul RetrievalSoul retrieval is a central practice in shamanism. It is based on the idea that parts of the soul can fragment during times of intense emotional or spiritual trauma. In the context of narcissistic abuse, a part of the self—such as self-esteem or personal sovereignty—may retreat to protect itself when it is constantly under attack. Shamanic practitioners guide individuals through altered states of consciousness, allowing them to retrieve these lost parts.
By reclaiming these fragmented pieces, survivors begin to heal on a deeper level. As they do, they may feel a renewed sense of wholeness, as if the energy once drained by the abuser is slowly being restored. - Ceremony as ReleaseCeremony in shamanic practice often involves rituals designed to release the emotional and energetic hold of past experiences. One of the most potent forms of ceremonial healing is the use of fire, as fire symbolizes both destruction and renewal. In a fire ceremony, survivors write down the anger, pain, and guilt they carry from their past relationships, offering these emotions to the flames. The fire serves as a powerful metaphor for cleansing, as it consumes the negative energy and provides space for new energy to emerge.
These ceremonies invite the survivor to reclaim their power by symbolically severing ties with the past and letting go of the emotional residue that has accumulated. In doing so, the survivor is empowered to embrace the present moment with a sense of freedom. - Connecting to the IntuitionNarcissistic abuse can make individuals second-guess themselves, even over seemingly minor decisions. This disconnection from one’s own intuition can make it difficult to trust one’s inner voice. Shamanic healing practices, such as guided drumming, meditation, and visualization, can help survivors reconnect with their intuitive knowing. These practices serve to recalibrate the internal compass, which has been obscured by the manipulations of the abuser.
By re-establishing a connection to intuition, individuals are able to begin trusting themselves once again. This reconnection is not only essential for personal growth but also for reclaiming the autonomy that was lost during the abusive relationship. - Energetic CleansingSurvivors of narcissistic abuse often feel as if the abuser’s energy continues to linger long after they have left. Shamanic practices such as smudging with sage, sound healing with instruments like singing bowls, or saltwater immersion are effective methods for cleansing the energetic body. These practices clear out the negative energy that may be trapped within the person, creating a sense of lightness and renewal.
The energetic cleanse helps remove the residue of toxic relationships, which allows the survivor to feel more connected to their own energy field and less affected by the lingering emotional imprint left by the abuser.
The Role of Healers in the Recovery Process
Healing from narcissistic abuse can be a deeply personal and complex journey. Many survivors find comfort and support through different healing practices, two of which are Reiki healing and shamanic healing. These two types of healing are distinct in their approach, and both can offer valuable support during the recovery process.
Reiki Practitioners
Reiki is a form of energy healing that focuses on the body’s energy field. Reiki practitioners channel universal life energy through their hands, either by placing them on or near the body. The energy flows into the recipient to clear blockages, promote emotional balance, and restore harmony. For survivors of narcissistic abuse, Reiki can help alleviate the residual emotional and energetic imprints left by toxic relationships.
Reiki practitioners work with the energy of the individual, gently guiding it back into balance. This practice can be incredibly effective for those experiencing ongoing stress, confusion, or emotional overwhelm, as it promotes deep relaxation and a sense of peace. By clearing energetic blockages, Reiki helps to reduce the emotional turbulence that often accompanies trauma, creating space for emotional healing and reconnection with the self.
Shamanic Healers
Shamanic healing, in contrast, operates from a broader spiritual and energetic framework, rooted in ancient traditions. Shamanic healers often work with altered states of consciousness, using methods such as drumming, journeying, or other ritualistic practices to access the spiritual realm. The goal is to address soul-level trauma and retrieve lost or fragmented parts of the self—a process known as soul retrieval.
Narcissistic abuse often leads to a profound disconnection from one's authentic self, and shamanic healing helps to restore this connection. Shamanic healers may guide the individual through a journey where they encounter spiritual helpers, such as animal spirits or ancestors, who assist in reclaiming lost parts of the soul. In addition to soul retrieval, shamanic healers often use cleansing rituals like smudging, using sacred herbs such as sage or palo santo, to clear stagnant or negative energy from the individual’s energetic field.
Shamanic healing is particularly effective for those seeking to heal on a deep, soul-level, addressing both the emotional scars and spiritual fragmentation caused by narcissistic abuse.
Reflection Questions for Your Journey
Shamanic healing is deeply personal. If considering these practices, it may be helpful to ask yourself:
- What does “healing” mean at this moment?
- When was the last time I truly felt connected to myself?
- Am I open to exploring spiritual or energetic practices?
- How can I create space in my life to reconnect with my inner self?
Finding Your Own Path
Shamanic healing is not the only avenue for recovery—and it’s okay if it doesn’t resonate with everyone. The beauty of healing lies in exploring different options and finding what feels authentic to you. Whether through therapy, meditation, yoga, or simply spending time in nature, all paths are valid when they lead you back to yourself.
For those curious about deeper engagement with shamanic practices, it is essential to seek practitioners who have clear lineages and training to guide the process safely. The communities found in these spaces often offer an additional layer of healing through shared support.
Closing Thoughts
Healing from narcissistic abuse is rarely a linear process. It requires patience and self-compassion. Shamanic healing, however, emphasizes that recovery is not just about mending what has been broken—it’s about rediscovering what has always been whole. The journey back to the self is a reawakening of the light that has always existed within, despite the efforts to dim it.
Shamanic healing practices invite individuals to reclaim the sacred parts of themselves that have been obscured. In doing so, they rediscover their wholeness and embrace the potential for renewal.
