Borderline and Narcissistic Conditions

Integrated Child & Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (ICAPP)
2021-22, 3rd Block — Mondays, 6:30-7:45pm
Scot Gibson, MD
Kelly Lippman, LMHC

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February 7, 2022 — Narcissism, cont.

[60 pages]

Shaw, D. (2014) Chapter 2, “The Adult Child of the Traumatizing Narcissist: Enter Ghosts!” in Traumatic Narcissism: Relational Systems of Subjugation. New York: Routledge. pp22-42.

Shaw, D. (2014) “But What Do I Do?” Finding the Path to Freedom in Traumatic Narcissism: Relational Systems of Subjugation. New York: Routledge. pp89-115.

Daniel Shaw is a relational thinker who views prominent conceptions of narcissism (such as those of Kohut and Kernberg) as failing to take into account the fact that narcissistic disturbances are problems with relationships, rather than problems with internal psychic structures.  Like Miller to some degree, he views narcissism as a result of childhood relational trauma.  He focuses on the character of the traumatizing narcissist, who traumatizes others by forcing them into a rigid relational system that serves only his own needs.

Donner, M. (2006) “Tearing the child apart: The contribution of narcissism, envy, and perverse modes of thought to child custody wars.” Psychoanalytic Psychology 23(3): 542-553.

An extremely practical and useful view of the problems of narcissism in high-conflict parenting and divorce.  This is an issue that we as therapists will all likely encounter multiple times in our practices.

Optional Reading

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2010) “Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy”

Very helpful resource when you find yourself working with someone who is involved in a family court proceeding. The unconscious pressures in these cases can pull a therapist quickly off track. These guidelines can keep you oriented and boundaried in a way that protects you and your client. We won’t discuss these in class, but they are good to have in your resource pile.