Bennett Seminar Series
3 – Narcissistic Personalities: Psychodynamic Conceptualization and Psychotherapy
Date: Friday June 7th, 1pm-4pm
Location: Online
Cost: $85
Seminar Description
It is not hard to understand how narcissist and those with traits of narcissistic personality disorder make their way into our lives. Often times they are the most interesting person in the crowd, exhibiting passion and confidence. We marry them, we accept jobs from them, we even admire them at first… but eventually we start to notice the true side of the narcissist. This seminar will explore: (a) ways to understand the narcissist, (b) the impact of narcissists on our lives and (c) strategies for dealing with narcissist in therapy and life.
This seminar will explore theoretical, diagnostic, and treatment issues surrounding narcissistic personality organization and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The discussion will examine the essential features of narcissism at several levels: archetypal, object relations, self psychology, and behavioral considerations. We will compare and contrast psychodynamic methodologies of assessing narcissistic character pathology with the DSM nosological approach, and review practical considerations for approaching narcissistic personalities in psychotherapeutic and general interpersonal contexts.
Learning Objectives
- Identify characteristic defensive styles and interpersonal behavior cues of narcissistic personalities
- Identify and critique popular and culture-based lay perspectives on narcissism which lead to misunderstanding and ineffective approaches to narcissism
- Develop strategies which contribute to an effective therapeutic stance in psychotherapy with narcissistic personalities
Instructor:
Dr. Matthew Bennett, Chair of the Counseling Psychology Department at Pacifica Graduate Institute, teaches classes in theories of psychotherapy and psychological assessment. Matthew is a licensed psychologist, lecturer, and administrator with experience in public sector mental health and substance abuse treatment. He has broad experience in program development. He was formerly founder and first Director of Training for the Ventura County Behavioral Health Pre-Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology and Chair-Elect of the Psychology Department at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, California. His research interests include personality disorders, comparative personality theory, and internet applications for mental health. Dr. Bennett is also a returned Peace Corps volunteer (“Poland III, 1991-1993”).
Mathew Bennett’s book on the topic of these lecture is set to release on Sept. 17th. Orders can be made here.
Date of all seminars: 5/10, 5/24, 6/7, 7/12, 8/9
