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  • Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Brenna Gonzales

Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Brenna Gonzales

Wednesday 19th March 2025

Brenna Gonzales explores Narcissistic Personality Disorder, its treatment challenges, and the role of trauma in therapy.
21 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Educational
Supportive
Honest

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Facing Addiction
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Unpacking Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Brenna Gonzales

Episode Overview

  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a pervasive set of symptoms affecting all aspects of life.
  • There is a lack of research on effective treatments for NPD.
  • NPD often stems from genetic factors and parenting styles.
  • Clients with NPD are highly defensive due to underlying feelings of emptiness.
  • Building rapport and long-term engagement are crucial in treating NPD.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a literal defense - it's a structure of the personality that defends against this feeling of emptiness.
Ever wondered what makes someone a narcissist? In this episode of The Modality Podcast, Brenna Gonzales, LPC, from Telos Trauma Therapy, sheds light on Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and the complexities surrounding its treatment. With over 12 years of experience, Brenna dives into the nuances of NPD, distinguishing between general narcissistic traits and the clinical diagnosis that impacts every aspect of a person's life.
She explains that while narcissism can be seen on a spectrum, NPD is a pervasive set of symptoms causing significant issues in an individual's life. Brenna discusses the lack of research on NPD and why conversations often focus more on narcissistic abuse rather than healing those with the disorder. You'll learn about the genetic and environmental factors contributing to NPD, including parenting styles and attachment issues.
Brenna also addresses common misconceptions therapists face and highlights the challenges in treating clients with NPD, such as their defensive nature and difficulty in recognising their behaviours as problematic. Therapists will find valuable advice on building rapport with NPD clients and the importance of patience and long-term engagement. Brenna emphasises that effective treatment involves understanding the deep sense of emptiness and grief that individuals with NPD are defending against.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of NPD and how therapy can support those affected by it. So, if you're curious about the intersection of narcissism, trauma, and therapy, this episode has got you covered.