Lisa Van Der Merwe - Alpharetta Counselor

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Partners of Narcissists and Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents

One of my primary specialties is helping those impacted by having a narcissistic family member or partner.

Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, lack of empathy, and an extreme sensitivity to criticism and inability to take accountability for behavior. Like all personality issues, there is a spectrum of severity and presentations. Some narcissists are very overt in how they behave, and others are more subtle. These personality traits cause significant problems in relationships. People who have narcissistic traits are highly adept at emotionally manipulating other people to meet their own needs and to boost their extremely fragile self-esteem. Their partners and family members are often left feeling continually hurt, demeaned, controlled, invalidated, and confused.

If you are in an intimate relationship with a narcissist I can help you:

  • Better identify and understand your partner’s destructive behaviors and their impact on you
  • Explore what drew you to the relationship
  • Learn how to better manage the relationship or terminate it

Narcissistic parents consistently put their own needs above those of their children, lack the ability to emotionally connect with their child, are frequently critical and manipulative, and redirect attention to themselves. Some narcissistic parents are very withdrawn and distant from their children, and others are intrusive and smothering. The negative impact to their children can be significant and long-lasting. Adult children of narcissistic parents often grow up to have distorted views of love, struggle with feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and depression, and challenges in their relationships.

 If you are a child of a narcissist I can help you to:

  • Understand the impact of being raised by a narcissistic parent
  • Better understand your parent’s behavior and accept what will not change
  • Grieve for the parent you wanted but didn’t have
  • Develop a stronger, more positive sense of self and deal with triggers
  • Determine what type of relationship and boundaries to have with parent
  • Become aware of and better manage your own narcissistic tendencies

I am trained as a Clinical Trauma Professional by the International Association of Trauma Professionals

I am certified in Dr. Karyl McBride’s ‘Will I Ever Be Good Enough?’ five- step recovery model for treating adult children of narcissistic parents.

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Contact Me

Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC
Northfall Professional Park
11795 Northfall Lane, Suite 601 | Alpharetta, GA 30009
ph. 770-356-4408
lisa@lvcounseling.com

Easily accessible from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Canton, Woodstock, Norcross, Cumming, and Atlanta

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Recent Blog Posts

  • New Office Location 4/4/22
  • COVID-19 Update 12/7/21
  • Covid-19 Update 5/22/21
  • COVID-19 Update 12/23/2020
  • COVID-19/Counseling Update

Contact

Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC
Northfall Professional Park
11795 Northfall Lane, Suite 601 | Alpharetta, GA 30009
ph. 770-356-4408
lisa@lvcounseling.com

Easily accessible from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Canton, Woodstock, Norcross, Cumming, and Atlanta

Stay Connected

Looking for counseling or have a question? Please email, call, or use the contact form to reach me.

I will respond within one business day.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

 

 

 

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