Choose YOU! with Carmen Sakurai

Support, validation, facts, and proven steps to help in your journey to healing from Narcissistic abuse… you’ll find them all here.

Choose YOU! Pocket Coaching is a companion feature for the Choose YOU! Podcast. NPD research, first-hand experiences & observations, and Q&A’s are posted here to supplement the podcast episodes.

What’s Pocket Coaching? Is it like a 1:1 coaching or those self-study and group courses?

Unlike private coaching where we hop on the phone to chat for 60 minutes, or online courses that you work through modules alone or with a cohort, my Pocket Coaching is an ongoing journey to break free from the cycle of emotional entanglement that I walk WITH you.

You’ll be armed with (based on your subscription tier):

• the most pertinent information on narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and emotional recovery backed by science and real-life experiences,

• tools to help remove and replace any distorted thoughts and beliefs that affect how you view yourself and function in your life,

• the opportunity to get answers to your most pressing questions,

• receive my private notes with tips that helped me in my own recovery… as well as the mistakes I made that threw me waaaaay off track,

• unlike therapy or single, transformative experiences from workshops and seminars, we’ll engage in conscious, intentional self-work on a daily basis

Everything will be accessible through email, this website, or the free Substack app - without scheduling appointments!

Hi. I’m Carmen Sakurai

BS Psy. Certified Trauma-Informed Master Life Coach. Survivor.

I am a Certified Trauma-Informed Master Life Coach and Certified Coach Practitioner specializing in several psychotherapy techniques including CBT, DBT, and REBT. Backed with over 20 years of education, training, and experience, I am also trained & certified in Mental and Behavioral Health Studies with focus on Stress Management, Burnout Prevention, Depression, and Suicide/Violent Behavior.

But those years of education and training did not grant me immunity from manipulation and abuse. I’ve experienced the crazy-making, constantly made excuses for those who repeatedly hurt me, and continued to find myself in the same situation I promised never to repeat. I’m also not ashamed to admit using the National Lifeline at my darkest moment.

• I know this isn’t just a bad breakup that you can move on from

• I know not all mothers are wired to love their children

• I know what it’s like living on “autopilot” for weeks, months… heck, even YEARS - just trying to get through the day, without making any real progress in any areas of my life

• I know how it is to feel so hopeless and exhausted that you just want to give up and be spared from the endless grief and struggles

I started suffering symptoms of Complex PTSD and showing signs of Borderline traits. Are you freakin’ kidding me? I’m a single mom raising my son and running a business alone. I can’t afford to be damaged like this!

So I made a commitment to focus on my recovery. Just 24 hours at first. Then another 24 hours after that. I continued to repeat this and before I knew it, the self loathing, worthlessness, fear of abandonment, emptiness, daily flashbacks, uncontrollable thoughts and emotions… went QUIET.

My commitment to choosing ME has become automatic and am now at a point where I appreciate and respect who I am, enjoy being flashback and trigger free, and effortlessly defend my peace.

Now, I’m here to help you Choose YOU.

DISCLAIMER

I am not a licensed therapist and the information and validation I share is from the perspective of a narcissistic abuse survivor for informational and educational purposes only. Information contained in this site is in no way a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding your condition.

What’s Inside Choose YOU Pocket Coaching?

The Choose YOU community is filled with the latest studies, information, and resources designed to validate, empower and support survivors of emotional abuse. Creating and maintaining this space takes a tremendous amount of time and effort, so to keep it sustainable, I offer free, paid, and founding-level memberships.

FREE level:

• The Choose YOU! Podcast - broadcasted every Tuesday. You can consider this as a type of “audio coaching” where I cover important facts to guide you through the NPD abuse recovery journey, smash myths that could potentially hinder your progress, and answer your questions. You can listen to the Choose YOU! Podcast in your email, on the web, or in the Substack app where you’ll also find full transcripts.

• Weekly Check-In (accompanies each podcast episode) to delve deeper into what was covered in the week’s podcast episode including: the science behind it, why it’s important in your healing & breakthrough, and how you can use it to empower yourself.

• Free Guides - easy to understand, introductory guides to help with your journey to recovery.
  

PAID level:

• All of the above

• Case Studies of my actual clients, including the emotional injuries we’ve identified and their steps to recovery - and/or

  • Pattern Adjustment Homework with proven steps to remove and replace any distorted thoughts and beliefs that affect how you view yourself and engage with every aspect of your life

• Virtual Q&A where you can ask your questions to clarify, receive validation, and get support every other Friday (free subscribers have access to 1st Q&A in each session).

• Off the Record - voice notes, video messages, and journal entries where I share personal advice, insights as a survivor, as well as the mistakes & assumptions I made during my own recovery. (these are great for validating your reactions to manipulation & unacceptable behavior - because honestly, their crazy-making unleashes the crazy in US).

• SOS Toolbox - a library of voice & video messages to help you when you're feeling lost or weak. Use these in moments of emotional distress when you need immediate reassurance, validation, and support.

• Community Privileges - post comments and ask your questions!

• … and more!
  

ADVOCATE / FOUNDER level:

• All of the above

• Virtual Master Classes and Workshops that I host throughout the year (I’m aiming for 3x a year), which includes:

  • Full-length videos of each lesson

  • Worksheets & exercises

  • Q & As for each lesson

• 50-Minute 1:1 Coaching Call for $50 - One weekend a month, I reserve a block of time for this group to get answers to your most pressing questions and concerns. (Current rate - $197 for 60 mins.)

• PLUS, your subscription supports subscriptions for survivors struggling financially. Thank you for your help in making recovery from narcissistic abuse accessible to those who would not be able to receive it otherwise.

Why are Comments Open to Paid Members Only?

It’s important that CY! Pocket Coaching is a safe space for everyone.

It takes COURAGE to take those first steps to heal from narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationships. Admitting that something was not right in your family, romantic relationship, friendship, etc., is difficult as it is… but stepping up and getting help? That’s a BIG DEAL.

As such, it is essential to have a safe space to express, properly process and work through it all without added grief or unnecessary interference.

That last part. I’m well aware that there are those who intentionally (and unintentionally) invalidate and gaslight survivors who seek guidance or speak up about their experiences. That’s not OK.

You’ve been silenced long enough… now is your time to CHOOSE YOU, your well-being, your recovery, and a life where you are genuinely happy & SAFE.

Since the podcast is available to the public and weekly check-ins are available for free, the paywalled comment sections and chats makes certain our discussions are private and safe.

Whichever Level You Choose to Join Us…

Together, we’ll throw EVERYTHING I have at what you’re fighting against: my education in personality disorders, training in human behavior, and my personal experience as a survivor.

You will learn to confidently #ChooseYOU.

I believe you. You’re NOT alone.

I invite you to visit my website at CarmenSakurai.com for more resources to support your recovery and re-building (if you forget how to spell my name, go to HelpMeCarmen.com). And follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.