You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders
Torie Wiksell
Psychotherapist and Coach, Torie Wiksell, is no stranger to talking about challenging and dysfunctional family dynamics. In addition to specializing in working ...
Struggling to set boundaries with a parent who has borderline or narcissistic personality disorder? In this episode of You're Not Crazy, I break down five key signs that you need stronger boundaries—and share practical strategies to help you establish them.If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to rethink your boundaries: ✔️ You feel completely drained after interacting with your parent—or even just thinking about them. ✔️ You’re constantly walking on eggshells, afraid of triggering an emotional meltdown. ✔️ You keep getting sucked into their chaos and drama (even when you try to stay out of it). ✔️ You avoid setting boundaries because you’re scared of rejection or abandonment. ✔️ Your parent interferes with your relationship and disrupts your peace.Want step-by-step guidance on how to set and enforce boundaries with a BPD or NPD parent? Join me for my live workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent, tonight- Tuesday, March 18th at 5 PM PST! Register now at confidentboundaries.com/boundaries-workshop and get my Boundaries Cheatsheet—with 9 scripts for enforcing boundaries with a BPD or NPD parent just for showing up and hanging out! Can’t make it live? Sign up anyway, and I’ll send you the recording!Here's how else I can help: Register for my upcoming free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join Work with me in Coaching:confidentboundaries.com/coaching Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother with BPD. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
--------
15:11
One Year of Confident Boundaries: What I've Learned About Coaching, Community, and Growth
After a year of running Confident Boundaries alongside my therapy practice, I’m reflecting on the journey—what worked, what didn’t, and how I’ve evolved my approach to supporting adult children of BPD and NPD parents.Expanding beyond therapy has allowed me to help more people through coaching, community, and this podcast. And, in this episode I share: ✔️ Why I created the Confident Boundaries umbrella (way before the online community)✔️ How I've been able to bridge the gap for those who couldn’t work with me in therapy ✔️ My initial resistance to coaching (and what changed my mind) ✔️ My decision to eliminate YouTube video recordings and the reason whyIf you’re struggling with setting boundaries with a BPD or NPD parent, make sure to join my free workshop by registering at confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop. I'll show you how to frame boundaries with BPD and NPD parents effectively, manage guilt and anxiety so they no longer stop you, and enforce boundaries when your parent pushes back (because obviously they will).Here's how else I can help: Register for my upcoming free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join Work with me in Coaching:confidentboundaries.com/coaching Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother with BPD. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
--------
34:09
When Your Toxic Parent Becomes a Grandparent to Your Kids
As the adult children of a parent with narcissistic or borderline personality disorder, becoming parents ourselves brings up a whole new set of challenges—especially when it comes to navigating the grandparent-grandchild relationship. In this episode, I dive into the emotional complexities of setting boundaries with toxic parents while trying to break dysfunctional patterns for our kids.I’ll cover:→ How to handle difficult conversations with your children about going no contact→ The impact of a toxic grandparent’s behavior on your kids—and what to watch for→ Why your parent might not be the amazing grandparent you think they areAnd, if you're struggling with setting (and keeping) boundaries, don’t miss my upcoming FREE Workshop! Register now at confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshopHere's how else I can help: Register for my upcoming free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join Work with me in Coaching:confidentboundaries.com/coaching Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother with BPD. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
--------
23:22
Adulting is Hard: Breaking the Cycle & Filling in the Gaps
Growing up with a parent who has borderline personality disorder (BPD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can have lasting emotional and practical impacts—some of which often go overlooked.In this episode, we dive into the challenges adult children of BPD/NPD parents face when it comes to "adulting" and why self-compassion is key.Listen to hear my thoughts about:✔️ How being raised by a BPD/NPD parent can impact how equipped you are to navigate the adult world✔️ Why many adult children struggle with adulting tasks—and how to forgive yourself✔️ Dealing with feelings of shame and embarrassment about feeling behind some of your friends and peers✔️ Practical strategies for building confidence and filling in the gaps✔️ PLUS I talk a bit about the role of gaslighting and where most people I work with get stuck🌟 Love the Podcast?If this episode resonates with you, please rate the podcast five stars and leave a review—it truly helps others find our show! Join the Community: confidentboundaries.com/joinSchedule a Therapy Consultation: toriewikselltherapy.com/scheduleHere's how else I can help: Register for my upcoming free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join Work with me in Coaching:confidentboundaries.com/coaching Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother with BPD. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
--------
16:15
The Good Mom vs. The Punishing Mom: Reflections on My Childhood with My Narcissist Mother
Growing up with a narcissistic or borderline parent means constantly navigating two versions of them—the loving, "good" parent and the punishing, unpredictable one. In this episode, I reflect on how caring for my sick daughter brought up memories of my own childhood—where empathy was absent, and love often came with conditions.I’ll explore how these experiences shaped my understanding of parenting, the emotional complexity of breaking the cycle, and the self-gaslighting that happens when you’ve been conditioned to question your own reality. If you’re working to parent differently than you were raised, or are working through gaslighting yourself about your own childhood, this episode is for you!In this episode, we’ll discuss:✔ How parenting can trigger childhood trauma and unresolved emotions✔ The duality of love and cruelty in a relationship with a BPD/NPD parent✔ Why emotional neglect leaves lasting scars—and how to heal✔ Overcoming self-doubt and breaking the cycle of generational trauma✔ The role of empathy and accountability in healthy parenting✔ Creating the safe, loving environment you never had as a childHere's how else I can help: Register for my upcoming free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join Work with me in Coaching:confidentboundaries.com/coaching Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother with BPD. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
About You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders
Psychotherapist and Coach, Torie Wiksell, is no stranger to talking about challenging and dysfunctional family dynamics. In addition to specializing in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders as both a therapist and coach, Torie grew up with a mother who had an unmanaged personality disorder.Torie has spent a significant portion of her 12 year career as a therapist working with clients with personality disorders, their partners, and family members, and brings a unique and relatable perspective to navigating these complicated relationships.Follow Torie on Instagram: instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundariesLearn more about Coaching and the Confident Boundaries Online Community at www.confidentboundaries.comDisclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.
Listen to You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders, Aware and Aggravated and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
South Africa