When we hear the word “narcissism,” many of us picture someone who is self-absorbed, arrogant, or manipulative. Narcissistic behaviour can indeed look like that on the surface, but when we dig deeper—especially from the perspective of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy—we begin to see a more complex story. IFS provides a compassionate framework to understand narcissism, and it also offers tools that friends and family can use to support healthier relationships with those who show narcissistic behaviours.

We don’t need to be professional therapists or counsellors to help our friends and family struggling with their mental health. There are practical things we can do to communicate better and offer necessary emotional support. In this article, we are going to look at some tips for listening, staying grounded, and reflecting emotion.

As couples begin to navigate difficult conversations in the therapy office, they gradually realize it is much harder to do the same at home. Although clients and I have joked about this in the past… I cannot (nor do I want to) go to your home to remind you and your partner to “slow down” when trying to communicate.

In place of this obviously uncomfortable situation, I offer couples one of my favourite relationship tools: the Feelings Wheel.

Communicating emotions in relationships requires self-awareness, empathy, vulnerability, and a continual commitment from both partners. These skills are foundational for building trust, understanding, and intimacy in your relationships. By recognizing, expressing, and empathizing with each other's emotions, couples can deepen their bond and create a foundation that sustains their relationship through the challenges of life.