We’re proud to share that Dr. Michelle Dees, board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Luxury Psychiatry Clinic, was featured in Verywell Mind’s July 2024 article, “How to Manipulate or Disarm a Narcissist When You’re in Danger.” The piece tackles a sensitive, real-world dilemma: what to do when you’re caught in a potentially unsafe situation with someone exhibiting narcissistic traits and immediate escape isn’t possible. Rather than glamorizing manipulation, the article lays out short-term, harm-reduction strategies (like fawning, ego-appeals, and offering limited choices) alongside robust cautions about ethics, risks, and the psychological costs to everyone involved. It also emphasizes healthier alternatives—boundary-setting, therapy, and safety planning—while reminding readers that the goal is de-escalation and personal safety, not winning a power struggle.
Dr. Dees’s contributions serve as the article’s ethical compass. She underscores that any tactic designed to influence another person’s behavior “poses a grave ethical concern, especially regarding respecting an individual’s autonomy,” and that intent and context matter when considering manipulation as self-defense. She stresses that such measures should be temporary, narrowly focused on safety, and replaced by healthier approaches as soon as possible. Dr. Dees further warns that employing manipulation can exacerbate the other person’s underlying trauma or mental-health issues—and can also erode the well-being of the person using those tactics, making manipulation an unsustainable long-term strategy. Her guidance reframes the conversation: survival tactics may sometimes be necessary, but they are not solutions; the real work is protecting yourself, rebuilding autonomy, and engaging professional support.
Why this matters: Verywell Mind is a mainstream, accessible resource, and Dr. Dees’s perspective helps readers navigate a gray area with clinical clarity and compassion. In a digital culture where “narcissist” is often tossed around casually, she helps distinguish between crisis triage and healthy relationship skills, anchoring the piece in ethics, safety, and mental-health literacy. That balance—practical de-escalation tips, paired with strong boundaries and professional help—mirrors how high-quality outpatient psychiatry supports people facing complex relational dynamics, from codependency and insecure attachment to trauma responses.
At Luxury Psychiatry Clinic, we bring this same patient-first philosophy to care in Chicago, IL and Orlando, FL. Our services include comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and personalized medication management; interventional treatments such as TMS and Exomind® for depression, focus, and emotional regulation; Spravato® (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression; and integrative psychotherapy that addresses anxiety, trauma, and relationship stressors—including support for those recovering from manipulative or high-conflict dynamics. We collaborate with you to establish safety plans, strengthen boundaries, and cultivate long-term resilience—so short-term crisis tactics aren’t your only tools.
Dr. Dees’s feature in Verywell Mind reflects what our patients experience every day at Luxury Psychiatry Clinic: thoughtful, evidence-based care that honors your autonomy, protects your well-being, and helps you reclaim your voice—one step, and one safe choice, at a time.
