Hey, I’m Torie—
Therapist for Cycle Breakers Raised by Toxic Parents
If you grew up with a parent who was emotionally volatile, manipulative, or intensely self-focused, especially a parent with borderline or narcissistic traits, it makes complete sense that you would feel anxious, uncertain, or overwhelmed in your adult life.
The pressure to keep the peace. The self-doubt that never seems to quiet down. The guilt that surfaces every time you try to set a boundary.
These are not random issues. They are the echoes of growing up in a dysfunctional family system, and they rarely go away without support.
I help my clients understand these patterns which are rooted in trauma, heal from them, and create a life that feels calmer, more grounded, and more aligned with who they truly are.
My Approach to Healing From Emotionally Immature Parents
I’m a licensed therapist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. I’ve spent a significant portion of that time helping clients navigate the deep emotional impact of growing up with a parent who lacked emotional stability, empathy, or boundaries.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and directive. I don’t just sit and listen, I provide structure, insight, and tools to help you:
Set boundaries that actually hold
Let go of guilt and self-blame
Understand the impact of your parent’s behavior (without excusing it)
Grieve the parent you needed but didn’t get
Rebuild trust in your own thoughts, feelings, and instincts
Most of my clients are high achievers who look like they have it all together on the outside, but inside they’re navigating chronic stress, strained relationships, and a persistent sense of not being good enough.
Therapy with me is designed to change that.
Credentials & Clinical Background
I began my clinical work in 2013 and have spent the past decade supporting individuals and families in a variety of settings, including an inpatient psychiatric hospital, community mental health programs, nonprofit clinics, school systems, and eventually my own private practice, which I opened in 2018.
My practice is now fully online, and I am licensed to support clients in California, Oregon, and Washington. I specialize in working with adults who are navigating complicated or painful family histories, including:
Growing up with a parent who has borderline or narcissistic personality disorder (diagnosed or suspected)
The complexities of navigating dysfunctional family dynamics as an adult
Anxiety, perfectionism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Relationship stressors and boundaries
Depression connected to childhood emotional neglect
The work of healing from toxic or harmful family dynamics
My approach is grounded in helping you feel seen and supported while also guiding you toward healthier patterns and more secure relationships.
In Addition to Therapy…
I also run Confident Boundaries, a company designed specifically for supporting the adult children of parents with borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. Under the Confident Boundaries umbrella you’ll find:
You’re Not Crazy – A weekly podcast for cycle breakers
The Confident Boundaries Online Course – A self-guided online course that will help you learn what effective boundaries with a narcissistic, emotionally immature, or otherwise toxic parent look like. This course also addresses guilt and self-doubt: two things that make boundaries with toxic parents feel impossible.
If we’re not able to work together in therapy, these are resources where you can find the support, validation, and tools you need in a different format.
Theoretical Orientation
My approach to therapy is integrative and tailored to each client I work with. I draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Postmodern therapies, and Humanistic frameworks to support the unique needs and goals of the clients I work with.
That means we’ll focus both on developing practical tools you can use in your day-to-day life and exploring the deeper patterns, beliefs, and relational dynamics that have shaped how you see yourself and others. I believe that lasting change comes from addressing both the symptoms you’re dealing with now and the emotional history that helped create them.
If you're ever curious about why I'm using a certain approach (or want to try something different) just ask. I'm always happy to collaborate and adapt our work to make sure it feels useful, effective, and aligned with what you need.
Education & Advanced Training
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University.
I’m committed to ongoing professional development and regularly participate in advanced training, supervision, and consultation. Therapy is a field that’s always evolving, and I believe in continuing to learn so I can show up for my clients with the best possible care.
Some of my additional training and consultation has focused on:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the gold-standard treatment for individuals with borderline personality disorder
Family Systems and Structural Family Therapy
Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning
Treatment of Eating Disorders, including anorexia and restrictive eating patterns
If you’re navigating complex family dynamics, perfectionism, OCD, or emotional fallout from a parent with borderline personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder, you’re in the right place.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve spent your life trying to manage your parent’s emotions, predict their reactions, or keep yourself small to avoid conflict, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep living that way.
You deserve support that recognizes the full complexity of your experience and helps you move forward in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming.
If you're ready to feel more confident, less reactive, and more connected to your own needs, I’d love to support you.