Find expert therapists specializing in narcissism treatment. Explore effective therapies to foster self-awareness and improve relationships with help from Circles.
Finding the Right Professional for Effective Treatment
Finding proper treatment for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can be challenging as most therapists work with the victims of narcissistic abuse, but not the perpetrators. However, there is help available to create more self-awareness, improve narcissistic behavior patterns and communication skills, and develop empathy to foster better relationships and healthier self-esteem.
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Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
To help find appropriate care, it is important to first understand what narcissistic personality disorder is. NPD is defined as a clinically diagnosed mental health condition that is characterized by a consistent pattern of behavioral characteristics including a lack of empathy, constant need for attention and validation, inflated ego, and a sense of entitlement. Individuals exhibit maladaptive coping mechanisms and have poor communication skills that negatively impact their relationships.
Importance of Seeking Professional Help for NPD
Because of the pervasive nature of the disorder, it is imperative that narcissists seek professional help to improve their chances at having productive, consistent and happier lives. Therapy and support groups are essential tools for narcissists to make lasting positive changes. Read more here.
Types of Therapy Effective in Treating Narcissism
The following types of treatments have been shown to have positive results treating NPD. All of these types of therapy are talk-based therapies. This list is not all-inclusive.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapy that challenges negative thought and behavior patterns and teaches individuals to manage their thoughts and feelings
- Schema Therapy: This type of therapy focuses on changing the mental framework of deeply held beliefs and thinking patterns (schemas) that often form in childhood and interfere with relationships.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Focuses on memories, experiences, unconscious thoughts to address the current behavior patterns of the narcissist.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Therapy that helps people focus on the reality of their lives and learn to better regulate their emotions. It is derived from CBT but is for people who experience intense emotions.
How to Find a Qualified Therapist for Narcissism
Credentials to look for when seeking a therapist include being licensed as a mental health professional, having an understanding of and training in narcissism and narcissistic abuse, and complex trauma along with specialization in treating personality disorders.
Questions to Ask Potential Therapists
First and foremost, it is important to find out if the therapist has any experience working with individuals who have NPD. Another question to ask is what types of therapy does he/she/they use in treatment. Not one size fits all so it is helpful if the therapist is familiar with several modalities of treatment. Here are some other common questions one may want to ask.
- What are your counseling credentials
- Do you use trauma-informed therapy models?
- Is your practice spiritually based?
- What should I expect from a typical session?
- How do I know if therapy is working for me?
What to Expect in Therapy for Narcissism
When undergoing treatment for narcissism, one should expect to learn to understand behaviors that are narcissistic in nature and connect the understanding to the root causes. Learning how to regulate emotions and better relate to the needs of other people are also key factors in treatment. Challenging negative belief systems and useless thought patterns is part of the therapeutic process for the narcissist to reflect on behaviors and to begin to change their narrative to improve communication skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How does therapy address the underlying causes of narcissistic behavior?
Therapy can help individuals get in touch with their emotions and uncover life events and past experiences that have caused and/or exacerbated narcissistic behavior patterns. Using therapeutic techniques such as psychoanalysis, EMDR, or DBT approaches encourage patients to work through trauma and negative limiting beliefs to re-write the narrative and build a consistent self-image. Read more here.
Are there specific challenges therapists face when treating individuals with NPD?
There are challenges that therapists face when working with individuals with NPD including a resistance to change, a lack of insight into behavior issues and the impact they have on relationships and hypersensitivity to any feedback that the therapist may have. Narcissists are very sensitive to critique and can easily become defensive and use this as an excuse to discontinue treatment.
Is therapy for narcissism more effective with family involvement?
It depends on the family dynamic and the individual undergoing treatment. In general, it is important for patients to have a support system, but this may be challenging if family members are also narcissistic or dysfunctional. Ultimately, it is the patient’s decision to include family members in treatment.
Exploring the Role of Support Groups in NPD Treatment
Support groups like Circles can be a powerful tool in the treatment of NPD as group members can challenge each other’s perspectives, offer validation, encouragement and accountability. Groups offer the normalization of vulnerability; help foster empathy for other people’s experiences and present a way for individuals to practice healthy communication skills.
Understanding the Impact of Narcissism on Relationships
The impact of narcissism on relationships can be negatively profound as the relationship usually follows a cycle of abuse that leaves the non-narcissistic partner/family member/friend exhausted and confused. The emotional damage causes destruction of self-esteem and co-dependency. The result for many relationships is separation and estrangement.
Recognizing the Signs That Indicate the Need for Professional Help
Often narcissists do not recognize the destructive patterns, but when their quality of life is impacted, this is a wake-up call to seek treatment. The narcissist may experience constant interpersonal conflict in their relationships, problems with co-workers and supervisors in their workplaces that may lead to multiple job changes. They may feel increasingly isolated or have trouble with medical issues, finances and legal problems. All of these are good indicators that it is time to seek treatment for NPD.
As part of the therapeutic journey, Circles is here to help. Circles connects people with specialized group facilitators for narcissism treatment. Support groups have been proven to be equally, and often more, therapeutic than individual counseling for narcissism due to the peer support nature of the groups. At Circles, all group members are met with kindness, inclusivity and validation from professionals and peers alike. Members are encouraged to take their time and participate at their own pace. All groups are safe spaces, confidential and judgment-free which makes sharing vulnerability much easier.
In summary, narcissists can find help to improve the quality of their lives, enhance communication skills, learn adaptive coping skills and increase empathy and self-reflection. Individual therapy coupled with group support offers the best opportunity for those suffering from NPD to lead more emotionally healthy lives, better manage their emotions and develop new, more positive behavior patterns which can ultimately, with time, lead to a happier, more stable and healthier life for both the individual with NPD and their loved ones.
