Therapy for Adult Children of a Narcissistic Parent
Signs of Narcissistic Abuse by a Parent
Growing up you were constantly criticized by your parent, although they would loudly praise your achievements in front of others. Your parent was charming and fun to everyone else but at home they were mean and controlling. You learned early on that people pleasing was the safest way to avoid emotional abuse or anger. You never felt good enough.
As an adult, you do your best to have a relationship with your parent, but this means you always give in. You try to set boundaries, but this makes your parent outraged. In daily life you are very anxious, emotionally reactive, and display perfectionist behaviors.
Traits of Adult Children of a Narcissistic Parent:
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty in relationships
- Focused on achievements
- Being a people-pleaser, struggling to say no
- Constant guilt
- Emotionally Reactive
- Difficulty trusting others
- Confused, unsure of reality
Narcissistic Abuse in a Family
You feel survival in your family is like playing a game of chess. You need to be steps ahead of everyone otherwise drama, social exclusion, and conflict ensue.
Perhaps you have a narcissistic parent, sibling, or both, which leads to family members gaining up on others, taking sides, or one child being scapegoated while the other is highlighted as the “golden child”.
If any of the above sounds like you, it is possible you have experienced narcissistic abuse by a parent or family member. Parental narcissistic abuse occurs when a parent with narcissistic traits emotionally abuses and manipulates their child and other family members. Please note that not all individuals who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder or exhibit narcissistic traits are abusive and not all people who are abusive have Narcissistic Personality Disorder. If you are experiencing physical violence/abuse, please call the Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233. To report child abuse or neglect please call: 877-237-0004 for Tennessee and 855-422-4453 for Georgia.
How Therapy Can Help with Narcissistic Abuse
You don’t have to be tangled up in the drama any longer. I specialize in helping adult children of narcissistic or emotionally immature parents. Therapy can help you enjoy a less anxious and stressful life. You can feel more confident and have healthy relationships.
Through therapy you can:
Recognize signs of a narcissistic family or parent
Identify manipulative and gaslighting behaviors
Increase self-esteem and self-worth
Learn to set healthy boundaries
Decrease feelings of guilt and shame
Improve romantic and interpersonal relationships
Get Started With Psychotherapy!
You can find relief from the drama. Contact me today for therapy for narcissistic abuse recovery, offered online in Tennessee and Georgia.
Online Locations: Nashville, Tennessee – Brentwood, Tennessee – Atlanta, Georgia – Sandy Springs, Georgia – Greater Tennessee and Georgia Area