DiscoverYou're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic ParentsCan Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth
Can Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth

Can Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth

Update: 2025-09-02
Share

Description

Can boundaries actually work with a toxic parent? In this week’s episode of You’re Not Crazy, host Torie Wiksell, therapist, boundaries coach, and fellow cycle breaker, unpacks one of the most common (and confusing) questions adult children of narcissistic, borderline, or emotionally immature parents ask: “Is it even possible to set boundaries with them?”


Torie shares:



  • Why boundaries aren’t about changing your toxic parent — but about protecting your peace.

  • The messy gray area between low contact, no contact, and everything in between.

  • How to recognize when boundaries are working — and when it’s time to consider no contact.

  • Why “not reacting” isn’t healing (it’s just teaching yourself to tolerate more abuse).

  • How to use boundaries as data points to make reality-based decisions about your relationship.


If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “crazy” for trying to have a relationship with your toxic parent, this episode will give you clarity, validation, and the tools to keep your sanity while breaking the cycle.

👉 Want more support? Inside the Confident Boundaries Membership, you’ll find Torie’s full workshop How to Set Boundaries That Stick (Even With a Toxic Parent), live group coaching calls, a private community, and the 24/7 Boundaries Helper GPT to help you navigate these exact conversations in real time.


🔗 Join the membership today→ confidentboundaries.com/membership


And if you're a therapist looking for more training on supporting your clients with emotionally immature and personality-disordered parents, join me for my upcoming training by registering here: confidentboundaries.com/therapist-training-sept-26


Support the show


A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!


🎧 Ready for More?

➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private


Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)


📱 Download the Confident Boundaries App

iOS and Android


Let's be friends:

tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach

instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries


Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.


You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Comments 
loading
In Channel
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Can Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth

Can Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth

Torie Wiksell