Course Brief
This is a three part course with Paul Grantham that will address the various aspects of Narcissism and working/living with narcissistic individuals. Part One will focus on recognising and diagnosing Narcissism. Part 2 – on working with narcissistic clients and/or colleagues. Part 3 – on Living with Narcissism as applied to clients or yourself.
Narcissism is one of the most misunderstood yet also challenging states to understand and work with. This three-part course provides the practical basics for understanding it, successfully working with it therapeutically as well as managing its effects on you and others in everyday life.
Issues addressed include:
- Narcissism vs Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Why all narcissists don’t behave like Donald Trump (Extravert, Introvert and Communal Narcissism)
- The motivation issue or how narcissists never come for help with their “Narcissism”
- Early signs of narcissism in the therapy room and in relationships – 5 key indicators
- The dangers of echoistic and narcissistic co-dependency – who’s your client?
- The research on how narcissism is changeable and its practical implications for therapy work
Key strategies for change:
- What's the therapeutic goal?
- Empathy prompts, connection contracts and establishing hurt boundaries
- Establishing cognitive boundaries for responsibility and self blame
- Helping victims of narcissism- including escaping excitement and rescuing traps
Three part course on Zoom: 3 times x 3 Hours
Part 1 will focus on recognising and diagnosing Narcissism - 10 May 2024.
Recognising and Diagnosing Narcissism - Narcissism vs Narcissistic Personality Disorder (DSM V) vs Personality slur - The demographics of narcissism – age, gender, ethnicity and work - Assessment: Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) - Why all narcissists don’t behave like Donald Trump - Extravert, Introvert and Communal Narcissism - Narcissism as a spectrum – from healthy high self esteem to pathological or abusive Narcissism
Part 2 – on working with narcissistic clients and/or colleagues - 17 May 2024.
Working with Narcissistic Clients
- Principles For the Foundations Of Therapy
- Why “narcissism” is rarely a client’s presenting problem and how easy it is to miss
- The challenges of engagement and motivation and boundary setting
- The therapeutic relationship and client attitudes as a focus for the content of therapeutic work
- The need for a different therapeutic style – or the dangers of empathy
- A CBT Approach to Narcissism
- Narcissism as a cognitive and behavioural reaction to threat perception Nook et al (2022) CBT Model of Narcissism
- A programme of therapeutic intervention
- Additional therapeutic targets: Sensitivity to negative perceptions of self (feeling blamed or treated unfairly) and poor affect tolerance (anger and anxiety)
- Common Challenges: premature drop out, therapy shopping, therapist pleasing and secondary gain
Part 3 – on Living with Narcissism as applied to clients or yourself - 24 May 2024.
Living with Narcissism
- Echoism and narcissism as a co-dependency problem
- Addressing echoistic beliefs and behaviours
- Gaslighting and manipulation – recognition and management
- Limits to working with – rather than exiting relationships with narcissists
- The above issues plus others whilst working as a therapist
Can be attended live or watched as a recording.
Course Tutor
Paul Grantham, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, a Senior Associate of The Royal Society of Medicine, Accredited CBT Therapist. He is the Founder and Director of SDS Ltd and one of the most popular and inspirational tutors in the field of psychological skills training.