Dealing with Difficult Personalities Therapists
Navigating relationships with difficult or narcissistic people can be exhausting and confusing. Connect with therapists who can help you set boundaries and protect your wellbeing on First Session.
Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities—whether in family relationships, romantic partnerships, friendships, or the workplace—can take a significant toll on your mental health. These relationships often involve patterns like manipulation, criticism, gaslighting, or emotional unavailability that leave you feeling confused, drained, and questioning yourself.
Working with a therapist can help you make sense of these dynamics, rebuild your sense of self, and develop strategies for protecting your wellbeing. Whether you're trying to maintain a relationship with better boundaries or considering whether to step back, therapy provides a supportive space to explore your options. On First Session, you can browse therapist profiles and watch intro videos to find someone who understands these complex situations.
Tanasha Wilkinson
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Tanasha Wilkinson
Registered Social Worker
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Childhood trauma, Trauma, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anger Management, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Depression coping skills, Domestic violence, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Intergenerational trauma
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Childhood trauma, Trauma, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anger Management, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Depression coping skills, Domestic violence, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Intergenerational trauma
Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, NL, NT, NU, SK, and YT.
Waitlist
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Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her, We/Us
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
Anna Loch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Anna Loch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
she / her
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in QC and ON.
Waitlist
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Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Alicia Mandel
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Alicia Mandel
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Nervous system regulation, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Mindfulness
Nervous system regulation, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Mindfulness
Sheema Khan
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, and MB.
Waitlist
Sheema Khan
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, College or University Coaching, Burnout, Career guidance, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Boundaries and boundary setting, Assertiveness, Cultural Challenges, Dissociation, Domestic violence, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, BIPOC, Identity and Self-Exploration
ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, College or University Coaching, Burnout, Career guidance, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Boundaries and boundary setting, Assertiveness, Cultural Challenges, Dissociation, Domestic violence, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, BIPOC, Identity and Self-Exploration
Elena Serra
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, MB, NL, NT, NU, PE, QC, SK, and YT.
Waitlist
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Elena Serra
Registered Psychotherapist
Anger Management, Anxiety, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Depression, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Family Conflict, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Intergenerational trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Meaning and purpose, Workplace stress, Trauma, Separation and divorce, Sexuality, Relationships, PTSD, Parenting, Maternal mental health
Anger Management, Anxiety, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Depression, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Family Conflict, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Intergenerational trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Meaning and purpose, Workplace stress, Trauma, Separation and divorce, Sexuality, Relationships, PTSD, Parenting, Maternal mental health
Crystal Soares
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Crystal Soares
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality
Shannon Freud
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Shannon Freud
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Addiction, ADHD, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Caregivers, Parenting, Caregiver burnout, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Eating disorders, Couples Therapy, Depression, LGBTQ2IA+, Racism, Attention and Impulsivity, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Addiction, ADHD, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Caregivers, Parenting, Caregiver burnout, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Eating disorders, Couples Therapy, Depression, LGBTQ2IA+, Racism, Attention and Impulsivity, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Michal Goldstein
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Michal Goldstein
Registered Social Worker
Children/Teens, Parenting, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behavioural Issues, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregiver burnout, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Children/Teens, Parenting, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behavioural Issues, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregiver burnout, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
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What makes a personality difficult or narcissistic?
Difficult personalities may involve patterns like excessive criticism, manipulation, lack of empathy, need for control, or emotional volatility. Narcissistic traits specifically can include grandiosity, entitlement, exploitation of others, and difficulty accepting feedback. These patterns exist on a spectrum—someone doesn't need a formal diagnosis for their behaviour to significantly impact your wellbeing. What matters most is how the relationship is affecting you.
Who might benefit from this type of therapy?
Therapy may be helpful if you're in a relationship with someone whose behaviour leaves you feeling confused, drained, or questioning your own perceptions. This includes people dealing with difficult family members, partners, coworkers, or friends. It's also valuable for those recovering from past relationships with narcissistic or manipulative individuals and wanting to understand the impact and prevent similar patterns.
What's it like to work on this in therapy?
Therapy often involves validating your experiences, helping you understand the dynamics at play, and rebuilding trust in your own perceptions. Sessions might focus on setting and maintaining boundaries, developing strategies for interactions, processing the emotional impact of these relationships, and strengthening your sense of self. The approach is typically supportive and empowering.
How long does this type of therapy typically take?
The duration varies based on the complexity of your situation and your goals. Some people seek support during a specific challenging period, while others benefit from longer-term therapy to process past experiences and build new relational patterns. Your therapist can help you determine what makes sense for your needs.
How do I know if a therapist is right for me?
Finding a therapist who validates your experience and understands these dynamics is important. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their approach. Look for someone who seems warm, non-judgmental, and knowledgeable about difficult relationship dynamics.
How do I book a session?
Browse therapists on First Session who have experience with difficult personalities and relationship dynamics, watch their intro videos, and book directly online when you find someone who feels like a good fit.