How to Deal With Toxic Family Members

Hey, I’m Dr. Jodi Aman, and welcome to another episode ofAsk Dr. Jodi! As we head into the holiday season, I know many of you are thinking about how to handle tricky family situations. Today, we’re talking about how to deal with challenging family dynamics, set boundaries that actually work, and protect your peace. Stick around because we’ve got practical tips, insights, and a powerful live coaching session with Kim that you won’t want to miss!

Episode Summary
In this episode, we dig into the root causes of toxic family behaviours, I dig deeper, examining how unresolved trauma and fear can drive the actions that hurt us the most. You’ll hear from Kim, who opens up about growing up as the scapegoat in a family dynamic shaped by narcissism. Together, we explore how these patterns affected her relationship with her sister and the steps she’s taking to heal.

I share five trauma-informed strategies to help you stay grounded, manage pushback, and create emotional safety during difficult interactions. You’ll also learn how to shift your mindset, manage expectations, and reclaim your sense of self-worth—because you’re not defined by how others treat you.

This episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt encouragement to help you navigate these relationships with clarity and compassion.

Key Takeaways

1. It’s Not You; It’s Them: Toxic behaviors often reflect fear or insecurity in others, not your worth.
2. Set Boundaries That Stick: Boundaries don’t rely on others’ compliance—they’re about what you will or won’t allow.
3. Compassion-First:Validate your feelings without absorbing the negativity directed at you.
4. Ground Yourself: Prepare for interactions with techniques that keep you steady and calm.
5. Know When to Let Go: Choose how much energy and access you give to challenging relationships.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Watch the video of this episode at the blog:https://jodiaman.com/blog/toxic-family-dynamics/
• Grounding Techniques Video:https://jodiaman.com/blog/grounding-techniques/
• Dr. Jodi Aman’s YouTube Channel:@DoctorJodi
• Generation Z Mental Health Resource Guide:jodiaman.com/guide
• Redirect Positive Mindset Cardsjodiaman.com/order-redirect-flash-cards
• EnCompass SEL Class Activityjodiaman.com/order-encompass-game
• Anxiety,I'm So Done with You!Book

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  

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About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.

You’ll discover that your brain is not broken. That….  Whatever you are feeling is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And I’m here to help.

We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, or act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.

I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much  more  amazing than you think you are, build your confidence, and accelerate your healing journey.

We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.