Gaslighting is one of the most destabilizing dynamics of narcissistic abuse. Survivors may enter therapy feeling confused, doubting their perceptions, and questioning their sanity. The therapist’s job is not to stay neutral—it’s to name the gaslighting.
Why Naming Matters
Survivors already feel invalidated. If therapists avoid labeling gaslighting, clients may feel silenced again. A simple validation like, “What you’re describing is gaslighting,” can restore a sense of clarity and dignity.
Therapeutic Tools
• Reality Anchoring – Encourage clients to keep journals of conversations.
• Psychoeducation – Explain how gaslighting erodes confidence.
• Compassion Work – Reframe confusion as a symptom of abuse, not a flaw.
Training Insight
For supervisees, emphasize that naming gaslighting is not “taking sides.” It’s trauma-informed care. Survivors need reality restored, not blurred further.
👉 At Soteldo Psychotherapy Clinic, we empower psychotherapists to confidently identify gaslighting and help survivors reclaim their reality.
