The Narcissistic process may be based on a client’s low self-esteem and incessant hunger for validation, which is often masked by excessively intense pseudo-vitality. Similarly, a client who presents as timid, ineffective and powerless may actually have a split-off image that is grandiose, powerful and erotic. How do we work effectively with such presentations?

The dynamics of transference meanwhile add to our challenges:

• We may have a client who sees himself or herself as all-important and requires us, as therapists, to reflect-back that importance, or
• We may have a client who wants to be in the presence of someone powerful, or
• The client may want to do, or even to be, the same as the other person, or
• Our client may be defining or herself through criticism, dissension or antagonism

At this workshop, we first distinguish between a narcissistic style, pattern and a personality disorder. We also discuss the closet narcissist – the client who is covertly self-centred while acting shy, timid and ineffective. Using case studies and examples, Dr Erskine explains the aetiology, intra-psychic conflicts and the relational methods necessary in an effective psychotherapy of clients with narcissistic manifestations.

Drawing on object relations and integrative approaches, we look at four transferential processes in detail, considering the practical implications for therapy in each case:

• Mirroring Transference
• Idealizing Transference
• Twinship Transference and
• Adversarial Transference

We then consider the role of narcissistic fantasies and evaluate how such fantasies constitute Narcissistic- Moments that may be filled with a lot of emotional energy.

The workshop explains the implications for therapeutic interactions, in light of such narcissistic dynamics, processes and fantasies – with a view to explaining how a therapeutic cure may not be attributable to insight or interpretation, but instead to, the quality of involvement that emphatically responds to both the client’s current and archaic relational needs.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the difference between a narcissistic style, pattern and a personality disorder
• Discuss the closet narcissist – the client who is covertly self-centred while acting shy, timid and ineffective
• Discuss the aetiology of narcissistic manifestations
• Explain the intra-psychic conflicts and the relational methods necessary in an effective psychotherapy of clients with narcissistic manifestations
• Explain the four transferential processes: Mirroring Transference, Idealizing Transference, Twinship Transference and Adversarial Transference
• Discuss the role of narcissistic fantasies and evaluate how such fantasies constitute Narcissistic- Moments
• Explain the implications of such narcissistic dynamics, processes and fantasies for therapeutic interactions
• Explain how a therapeutic cure may not be attributable to insight or interpretation, but instead to, the quality of involvement that emphatically responds to both the client’s current and archaic relational needs

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