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Lionheart Therapy is now Beyond Narcissistic Parenting!
The Course
Narcissistic parenting happens when a parent’s needs, emotions, or image consistently come before the children’s. Instead of offering steady and unconditional love and support, parents with narcissistic traits may seek admiration, control, or validation through their children.
Here is a list of common traits and behaviors linked to narcissistic parents. This list is not intended for diagnosis but to help you recognize potential patterns that may have influenced your upbringing and relationships:
Control & Manipulation
Emotional Volatility
Constant Criticism
Conditional Love
Minimizing or Dismissing
Pressure to Overachieve
Poor Boundaries
Image Over Wellbeing
The stories we carry matter. Here are some examples of growing up with narcissistic parenting:
Amy remembers the disdainful look on her mother’s face and the silent treatment that followed, when she brought home a B on a quiz. In that moment, she felt like a disgusting disgrace and turned that pain inward as self-hatred. As an adult, Amy still carries those wounds; even minor mistakes or moments of “not being good enough” can trigger intense shame, leaving her depressed and completely unmotivated.
Narcissistic parenting often shows up as emotional immaturity, inconsistent or unfair boundaries, and little respect for a child’s individuality. Growing up in this environment, children learn to cope by pushing down their own needs and focusing on keeping their parents pleased. Over time, this survival strategy can leave lasting effects that continue well into adulthood.
This could often be exhibited as low self worth or anxiety, and difficulty trusting others. You also might struggle with setting boundaries or codependency. People with narcissistic parents might have a fear of conflict and often avoid disagreements due to past experiences of criticism or anger. You might find yourself becoming a “people pleaser,” “overachiever,” or “perfectionist.”
Healing from this kind of trauma can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to walk through it alone. With the right support, you can unravel long-standing patterns, rebuild healthy boundaries, and reconnect with who you truly are.
Explore the options below, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk.
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