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.