Adults of narcissistic parents
Do you feel you have an overbearing parent? Do you feel you are not good enough? Do they make you feel guilty for not fulfilling their needs? Does your parent play favourites? Do they say your memories are not real or you are over dramatic? Are you exhausted because there are not enough hours in the day to be there for them? Are you neglecting yourself and have trouble saying no?
Narcissistic parents can be incredibly damaging to their adult children, leaving them with feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth, and a damaging lack of trust. Fortunately, psychodynamic counselling can provide an invaluable support system for adult children of narcissistic parents, allowing them to heal and move forward with their lives.
In psychodynamic counselling, the therapist will focus on the unconscious processes of the patient, such as their beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. The therapist will also explore the patient’s relationships with their parents, including those with their narcissistic parent. The goal is to help the client to better understand why they feel the way they do and how they can move forward with more positive beliefs and attitudes.
During psychodynamic counselling for adult children of narcissistic parents, the therapist will explore the root causes of the client’s issues. This can include how the patient was treated by their narcissistic parent, the impact of this treatment on their self-esteem, and how they have coped with the experience.
The therapist will also help the client to understand how their experiences with their narcissistic parent have impacted their current relationships and behaviours. This can help the patient to identify any repeating patterns in their relationships and behaviours, allowing them to make positive changes to their life.
The therapist will also work with the client to help them to develop healthier coping mechanisms and strategies for dealing with their issues. This can include learning how to set boundaries, how to communicate more effectively, and how to express their feelings in a healthy manner.
Finally, the therapist will help the patient to develop a sense of self-compassion and self-acceptance. This can help the patient to let go of the pain of their past experiences and move forward with their life in a positive and healthy way.
Overall, psychodynamic counselling can be an invaluable tool for adult children of narcissistic parents. It can help them to heal, gain insight into their issues, develop healthier coping strategies, and ultimately, to move forward with their lives.
Leanne Stanley @MazeCounselling
October 2023.
