In this episode of You're Not Crazy, I’m sharing the 10 crucial steps every adult child of a narcissistic or borderline parent needs to take as a part of their healing journey. Whether you're just starting to recognize the impact of your parent’s toxic behavior or you’re well into your healing journey, this episode will guide you through the foundational steps of breaking free from toxic cycles and building a healthier, more authentic life.

We’ll cover:

1. Understanding emotional abuse and its impact on you
2. How to spot healthy vs. toxic relationship dynamics
3. Setting boundaries that protect your peace (including when going no-contact is necessary)
4. Building a circle of people who get it and can support your growth
5. Practicing self-compassion (even when it feels impossible)
6. Getting clear on your values and what matters to you
7. Releasing the guilt of carrying other people’s emotions
8. Learning how to sit with tough feelings without spiraling
9. Diving into self-discovery and creating a life that feels like yours
10. Embracing the fact that healing is a messy, ongoing journey

This episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement to help you navigate your unique path to healing. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this is the episode you don’t want to miss!

👉 Tune in now to start reclaiming your identity and creating the life you deserve.

Want to watch the video version of this episode? Click here to watch it on YouTube!

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

Being the adult child of a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder often means confronting the painful reality of being cast as the "villain" in their story. That s*cks, but learning to sit with this discomfort can help you take back control over your own life and finally prioritize your needs over their expectations.

In this episode, we’ll unpack the dynamics that keep you stuck in this role and offer actionable insights to help you step into your villain role:

• How conditional love shapes self-worth
• The exhausting cycle of chasing validation and approval
• Recognizing the impact of gaslighting in parent-child relationships
• Breaking free from black-and-white thinking patterns
• Understanding the emotional cost of manipulation
• Why embracing the “villain” role can be freeing
• Building a support system outside of toxic family dynamics
• Reclaiming your identity with self-acceptance and healing
• Letting go of the need to rewrite their version of your story

This episode will give you tools to move forward with clarity and confidence. I'm rooting for you!

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we’re diving into five toxic traits that I developed from growing up in an emotionally chaotic home—and more importantly, how I'm working on them. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, overexplaining, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions, this episode is for you.

Here’s what we’ll cover:
✨ Why recognizing and naming your emotions is a game-changer
✨ How to stop taking on responsibilities that aren’t yours and set boundaries instead
✨ Transforming negative self-talk into self-compassion
✨ Learning to trust your own voice instead of seeking constant external validation
✨ Breaking the habit of overexplaining and embracing confident communication

This episode is packed with practical tips and personal insights. Tune in now and take the next step toward living life on your terms.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5 star review, and share this episode with someone who needs it!

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

If you grew up with a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, the fear of being abandoned by people you love might run deep. In this episode of You're Not Crazy, we unpack how toxic love from a parent impacts your relationships and self-worth as an adult — and, more importantly, how to break free from those patterns.

We discuss:

• What conditional love from a BPD/NPD parent really looks like and how it contributes to a fear of abandonment
• Choosing yourself
• The power of setting clear, firm boundaries (even when it feels impossible)
• Steps to develop self-acceptance and improve your self-worth

🎙️ If you find this episode helpful, please remember to rate us 5 stars and leave a quick review- it helps so much!

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

Today I’m reflecting on how I’ve grown this year and what I’m focusing on for 2025. From taking bold action before I felt “ready” to ending a toxic friendship and trusting myself more, I’m sharing the real, unfiltered moments that have shaped my year. This episode is all about celebrating progress, embracing imperfections, and setting clear intentions for a fulfilling year ahead.

Listen to hear my perspective on:

• Taking big steps before feeling “ready”
• Facing fears around sharing my personal journey
• Letting go of toxic relationships faster
• Trusting my gut and valuing my own opinions
• Expanding my impact
• My goals for 2025

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

If you’re the adult child of a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, the holidays can feel more stressful than joyful. In this episode, I’m sharing practical, actionable strategies to help you navigate these tricky family dynamics while prioritizing your mental health. From setting boundaries to managing emotional triggers, we’ll cover everything you need to make it through the season with more peace and less drama.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to set realistic expectations for family interactions.
• The key to creating a holiday game plan that works for you.
• Emotional regulation strategies to stay grounded when you’re triggered.
• Why avoiding conflict can be more powerful than engaging.
• Using the gray rock method to deflect negativity and maintain calm.
• Recognizing scapegoat dynamics—and how to protect yourself.
• Affirming your right to step away from harmful situations.
• Why self-care is non-negotiable during the festive season.

Listen now to reclaim your holidays with confidence and clarity!

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

Can personal experiences spark global change? In this episode, I share the story behind my newest venture, Confident Boundaries, and how my passion for helping adults with parents who have borderline and narcissistic personality disorders has evolved throughout this past year.

Confident Boundaries goes beyond my therapy and coaching practices, offering tools, resources, and a supportive community for adult children ready to heal and reclaim their power.

I’ll also take you behind the scenes of launching this initiative, from the technical hurdles of being a one-woman show to the deep gratitude I feel for this growing community. Your support—whether through listening, sharing your stories, or leaving a review—helps sustain this mission and build a global network of connection and healing.

Ready to break the cycle of trauma and find your strength? Tune in now, and don’t forget to check the show notes for links to join the Confident Boundaries community. Let’s do this together.

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.

Growing up with a narcissistic mother can feel like navigating a maze of manipulation and emotional chaos. Ever wonder how the image of a "perfect mom" can clash so deeply with reality? In this episode, I share snippets from my own personal journey of growing up with the "perfect" narcissistic mother.

We'll dive into how societal perceptions of motherhood often mask harmful behaviors, the pressure to maintain appearances, and the lasting emotional impact. From public praise to private criticism, I’ll explore the struggle to find independence amidst constant judgment and the manipulative claims of martyrdom.

Download my free guide, 5 Quick Tips for Managing Intense Moments with a BPD or NPD Parent: confidentboundaries.com/guide

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Online Community: confidentboundaries.com/join

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/toriewiksell

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.