Mindfulness for Managing Emotional Triggers, Even When Co-Parenting with a Narcissist – Dr. Dorian

Summary

Master The Art of NOT “Biting The Hook” with Dr. Marina Dorian, a psychologist and meditation instructor.  She shares wisdom from her personal journey of co-parenting with a narcissist. Building on last week’s conversation about her challenges, Dr. Dorian dives into practical mindfulness strategies to help anyone avoid being emotionally "hooked" by others' triggering behaviors. 

She shares about our tendency to get attached or triggered—and provides actionable steps to recognize and interrupt emotional reactivity. Whether you're dealing with difficult co-parenting dynamics or simply navigating daily stressors, her advice is universally valuable.

Dr. Dorian also explores the power of self-compassion and loving-kindness meditation as tools for grounding and emotional resilience. Listeners will learn how to redirect their energy and cultivate inner peace amidst external chaos!

Lessons Learned

Mindfulness can help you stay grounded. Simple practices like focused breathing and observing emotions without judgment can reduce stress and help you respond thoughtfully to difficult situations.

Learning to protect your energy is essential, especially in challenging co-parenting dynamics.

Recognizing and addressing your emotional responses can lead to greater self-awareness and resilience.

You don’t have to engage in every conflict. Choosing when and how to respond can give you control over your emotional energy.

Focus on what you can control: Shifting your attention from the narcissist’s behavior to your own actions empowers you to navigate co-parenting with less frustration.

Resources

Commonly recommended resources for dealing with narcissistic relationships and co-parenting include:

Books:

"The Parallel Parenting Solution" by Carl Knickerbocker

"Will I Ever Be Free of You?" by Karyl McBride

"Co-Parenting With a Toxic Ex" by Amy J.L. Baker and Paul R. Fine

Websites and Support Groups:

One Mom’s Battle website and IG: Navigating family court with a narcissistic ex

Narcissistic Abuse Support: website with articles, forums, and recovery tips

Therapists and Legal Experts: 

Seek a therapist (contact Dr. Dorian) and / or lawyer specialized in narcissistic abuse 

Apps: 

OurFamilyWizard or Talking Parents: Communication tools designed to keep co-parenting interactions business-like and on record

Dr. Marina Dorian Instagram

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