Understanding and effectively working with personality disorders is essential for psychologists in clinical practice. This in-depth talk explores narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations, offering valuable psychodynamic insights for recognising, conceptualising, and treating personality disturbance.
Drawing on real-life case material and clinical vignettes, the speaker explores the aetiology and core defensive strategies that underpin narcissistic and schizoid structures. The session places particular emphasis on the idiosyncratic transference and countertransference dynamics that emerge in the therapeutic relationship with these clients.
The webinar concludes with practical guidance on how to tailor clinical technique when working with personality-disordered patients—highlighting therapeutic approaches and relational considerations that support structural psychological change and improved quality of life
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Identify core features and developmental origins of narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations
Recognise the defence mechanisms commonly used by individuals with personality disturbance
Understand how these clients present in therapy, including transference and countertransference patterns
Apply clinically informed strategies for working with narcissistic and schizoid traits
Tailor therapeutic technique to facilitate engagement and promote structural change
Calabash