Helping Clients in Narcissistic and Emotionally Abusive Relationships

People often feel trapped and helpless in emotionally abusive and narcissistic relationships. As a clinician, you may feel frustrated or equally powerless to help clients protect themselves or leave the abusive relationship.

In this 2-hour continuing education webinar for mental health professionals, Darlene Lancer, LMFT will outline a roadmap to help clients in relationships with narcissists and is applicable to any abusive relationship, such as with substance abusers, or other personality-disordered individuals. She will describe how to support and provide psychoeducation to clients to effectively confront psychological abuse and thereby build their self-esteem and become more satisfied with the relationship and/or prepare to leave the relationship.

In addition, Ms. Lancer will outline the diagnosis, types, and deep motivations of different narcissists to help clinicians identify the underlying psychological processes that drive the behavior of narcissists and their loved ones. She will explain narcissistic defenses and the variety and subtle forms of narcissistic abuse. Although abuse must be confronted, the usual methods are rarely successful and may dangerously escalate abuse. Ms. Lancer will review the do’s and don’ts of confrontation as well as share strategies and action steps that victims can take to address abuse and to get their needs met. By understanding the partners’ motives and intrapsychic and interpersonal relationship dynamics, clinicians will be empowered to effectively guide clients to rebalance the power in these relationships.

Ms. Lancer will also discuss intimacy, attachment styles, love-bombing, ghosting, gaslighting, hoovering, and flying monkeys in the context of narcissistic relationships.

This introductory continuing education webinar will help mental health professionals:

1. Identify diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder and four types of narcissistic individuals.
2. Recognize narcissistic defenses and forms of narcissistic abuse.
3. Describe mindset, motives, and psychodynamic features that drive narcissistic behavior.
4. Explain the common role of shame and the psychological challenges for narcissists and their partners in intimate relationships.
5. Describe the steps necessary to empower clients in abusive relationships.

Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: This program presents information about narcissism, codependency, and relationships with narcissists that are based on scientific research and the clinical experience of Darlene Lancer, LMFT. This workshop is intended for mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc.) who are interested in learning how to help clients in emotionally abusive relationships. Although helpful, no prior training in this is necessary. This program discusses general strategies for applying the concepts taught in a clinically responsible manner. It is not designed to treat individuals with a personality disorder. The presenter may not know how to apply all principles discussed to a specific situation or person without firsthand knowledge. As always, misapplication of the concepts with various populations could lead to unintended outcomes.

Declaration identifying any potential conflict of interest and/or commercial support: None indicated. 

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact GoodTherapy here.

How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.

To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the web conference center using a computer or device (smartphone or tablet with internet access) and calling into the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via their computer or device. Attendees who are logged in to the event center will be able to see the live streaming video and/or document sharing. Alternatively, attendees may dial into the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions.

At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in your GoodTherapy Account. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start and end codes announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate instantly.

For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $29.95 or access the homestudy recording for $14.95. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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