Is NPD *really* a mental illness?
Is NPD a form of mental illness? What about pathological narcissism? What’s the difference, anyway?
The Legacy of Relational Trauma in NPD
Narcissistic individuals are often hypersensitive to feeling criticized, rejected, or humiliated. In this article, Dr. Ettensohn traces the roots of interpersonal hypersensitivity in narcissism, giving special focus to a particular constellation of relational trauma thought to contribute to NPD. In addressing these issues, he discusses the here-and-now strategy of pairing self-compassion with personal responsibility.
The Power of Acceptance
Acceptance is one of the most powerful tools in healing and recovery from almost any mental illness. Dr. Ettensohn discusses what acceptance means, why it is so important, and how it applies to healing from pathological narcissism and NPD. This episode also includes instructions for practicing acceptance in the form of mindfulness meditation.
5 perfectly normal feelings to have about your therapist
Anger, disappointment, guilt, and love. Believe it or not, people have these sorts of feelings about their therapists all the time. Perhaps even more surprisingly, they can be vital to the therapy process.
The effectiveness of Psychodynamic Therapy: Latest evidence
Psychodynamic Therapies appear to benefit individuals with depression, some forms of anxiety, eating disorders, somatic problems, and personality disorder.
4 Reasons to say 'Patient' instead of 'Client'
It's an unspoken rule that we don't treat patients in psychotherapy; we work with clients. When I opened my own practice, I decided to buck convention by switching to patient. Here's why.
What a classic musical taught me about therapy
When we meet our patients in the transformative space of play, we can help them reconnect with forgotten abilities to love, hope, and dream.
Mother's Day and Father's Day present opportunities for growth
We have complicated feelings. But however we feel about our parents, this time of year presents the inescapable fact that we need them.
The Quandary of Psychological Diagnsosis
Nowadays, diagnosis is focused on symptoms. But it wasn't always this way.
Having a parent with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Many adult children of BPD parents struggle with depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress.
Personality and paradox: How contradictions make us who we are
The contradictions that live inside each of us tell a story of resiliency.
Why you should stop being a jerk to yourself
The way we treat ourselves is kind of a big deal.
Minds vs. Brains
Let's have both biology and psychology in our arsenal of tools we use to improve treatments. Let's not try to make do with just one or the other.
Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be very confusing. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with this disorder, you may have lots of questions about what BPD is, how it's treated, and what to expect.
