The Gray Area: Understanding Low Contact with Toxic Parents

You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic Parents

Stuck between staying in a painful relationship with your toxic parent or going full no-contact? There is another option—low contact. In this episode, I break down what low contact actually looks like with a parent who has borderline or narcissistic personality disorder: surface-level conversations, strong boundaries, and emotional distance that protects your peace. I’ll share why this gray area can be the most sustainable choice for many adult children of emotionally immature or toxic parents—and how to know if it’s right for you.

Links from this week's episode:

Bonus episodes of You're Not Crazy: confidentboundaries.com/bonusepisodes

Waitlist for the Boundaries Workshop:
confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop

Join the Confident Boundaries Membership before prices go up:
confidentboundaries.com/join

Want more episodes of You're Not Crazy? Sign up for Bonus Episodes:
confidentboundaries.com/bonusepisodes

Register for my free workshop, How to Set Boundaries with a BPD or NPD Parent:
confidentboundaries.com/boundariesworkshop

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

Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

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 she suspects had NPD with BPD traits. 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.

Chapters

1. The Gray Area: Understanding Low Contact with Toxic Parents (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to You're Not Crazy (00:00:14)

3. Updates on Podcast and Membership (00:02:17)

4. Workshop Announcement (00:09:33)

5. Understanding Low Contact vs No Contact (00:12:16)

6. Setting Boundaries Without Saying "Boundary" (00:19:07)

7. Flexibility and Personal Autonomy (00:23:09)