By: Farzana Bashir

In a world where emotional wounds often remain hidden beneath the surface, the journey to healing can feel daunting. If someone had told Tonya McBean years ago that her greatest heartbreaks would one day become the foundation of her life’s work, she might have found it difficult to believe. Back then, she was simply trying to survive. But that is the nature of breaking points: they can either bury a person or help them build resilience. And healing—true healing—is rarely accidental. It is a conscious decision made every single morning, even when one doesn’t feel ready.

Tonya McBean is a bestselling author of The Chasing Book Series and a podcaster dedicated to exploring the complexities of narcissism and the profound impact it can have on people’s lives. With a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy and more than two decades of experience in the medical field, she has witnessed firsthand the struggles many face when navigating the challenges of emotional abuse. Her story is not just her own; it serves as a potential source of hope for those who may feel lost in the darkness.

The Chasing Book Series: A Path to Healing

Tonya’s personal journey was a significant influence in the creation of The Chasing Book Series, a collection of six books that can stand alone yet remain interconnected through recurring themes of calm, peace, healing, Jesus, and rescue. Each book aims to provide readers with tools and insights to break free from the chains of emotional abuse and reclaim their lives.

1. The Shattered Faberge Egg – This book shares her experience of marrying a gay narcissist she met in church, exploring the complexities of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.
2. Choosing Calm – A 30-day devotional guiding readers through daily reflections and practices to cultivate inner peace amid chaos.
3. Chasing Peace – A guide offering strategies for dealing with difficult people, equipping readers to navigate challenging relationships with grace and strength.
4. Chasing Healing – Here, Tonya shares her battle with narcissistic abuse and its potential link to her autoimmune disease, Chronic Active Epstein Barr Virus (CAEBV), detailing her journey toward healing.
5. Chasing Jesus – A fact-based exploration aimed at supporting belief in Jesus and providing concrete evidence to help address doubts and strengthen faith.
6. Chasing Rescue – A practical guide filled with tools to survive narcissistic abuse, drawn from Tonya’s own experiences to help others find safety and healing.

The Power of Personal Story

Healing is possible, and for Tonya, it began with sharing her story. Raised by a narcissist and later married to one, she experienced years of emotional and financial abuse. The scars of her past manifested in C-PTSD (Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but through therapy and faith, she eventually found a way out. Her journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for transformation through education and faith.

One of the most profound moments in her healing process came when she realized she no longer needed to defend herself against the actions of others. For years, she had tried to control the narrative and to set things right. Ultimately, she discovered that her freedom lay in letting go.

“And then it was done. She was done. She wasn’t mad anymore. She had detached and no longer cared what they did. Her need to control, to set things right, was over. She no longer needed to defend herself. All the things they had done no longer mattered because she didn’t need to be right. She needed to be done. And now, she is free from stress.”

This realization liberated her, allowing her to detach from the pain and embrace a life of peace.

A Message of Hope

Tonya’s mission is to support others who are struggling with similar experiences. She wants her readers to know they are not alone and that healing can be within reach. The Chasing Book Series serves as a safe space for those seeking solace and guidance. Each page is infused with hope, encouraging readers to keep going even when the path feels uncertain and the future seems bleak.

In a society that often stigmatizes mental health struggles, Tonya recognizes the importance of fostering understanding and support. Her books are not just reflections of her experiences—they are a call to action for anyone who has faced emotional abuse. She aims to empower readers to break free from cycles of pain and create lives filled with joy and purpose.

Engaging with the Community

As Tonya continues to share her story, she invites others to join her on this journey. Through her podcast, Chasing Rescue, she delves deeper into the themes of her books, offering insights and real-life examples of healing. Each episode is designed to inspire and motivate, providing listeners with practical tools to navigate their own challenges.

She is also active on social media—Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter—where she connects with her audience and shares uplifting messages. Through these platforms, she fosters a community of support, helping to break the silence surrounding emotional abuse and encouraging a movement of healing and empowerment.

The Importance of Faith

At the core of Tonya’s journey is her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Her Christian beliefs have carried her through her darkest moments, grounding her in hope and strength. She believes faith is a powerful catalyst for healing and encourages her readers to explore their own spiritual journeys.

In Chasing Jesus, she presents evidence supporting belief in Christ, aiming to address doubts and reinforce the idea that faith can be a guiding light during times of turmoil. Her philosophy is simple: healing is possible through education and faith. By embracing these principles, anyone can transform their life and inspire others to do the same.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career as an author and speaker, Tonya has received numerous awards recognizing the impact of her work, including The Eric Hoffer Award, The Christlit Book Award, and The Literary Titan Book Award. She was also a finalist for Book of the Year 2025. Two of her books have become Amazon bestsellers. Her first book, The Shattered Faberge Egg, was adapted into a major motion picture in 2017, streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime, and downloaded by millions worldwide.

Summary: Keep Going

As individuals embark on their own journey toward healing, Tonya reminds them that they are not alone. The path may be challenging, filled with hurdles and moments of despair, but it also offers opportunities for growth and transformation. Her books and podcast serve as constant companions, providing guidance along the way. The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify, with a new episode coming in 2026 focused on parent wounds. The seventh and latest book in the series is set for release in 2026 as well.

Tonya calls on others to join this journey, lift one another up, share their stories, and work together to create a community where healing becomes not just possible, but expected. Healing is always within reach. Setbacks will come, hurdles will appear, and people may try to degrade or diminish others, but that is not the end. The most powerful uprising occurs when a person wins the war within themselves, reaching a place of emotional maturity and understanding they never thought possible. All it takes is enough strength to take the first step—a step toward healing, a step that could change the course of an entire life.