The Clinician's Guide to Treating Adult Children of Narcissists: - by Amy Marlow-Macoy & Amy Kempe (Paperback)

About the Book

There is nothing in the world quite like the feeling that someone, somewhere, finally gets it. Adult children of narcissists have been conditioned to downplay, dismiss, and ignore their experiences. This survival skill of staying below the radar can cause even very skilled clinicians to miss subtle opportunities to connect. As a clinician, it is paramount that you understand the scope of what these clients have endured so you can avoid inadvertently repeating the cycle of invalidation. Drawing from decades of specialized clinical practice and illustrated with rich client stories, this essential guide provides a thorough walk-through of the assessment and treatment of narcissistic abuse so you can: - Differentiate narcissistic abuse from other forms of family conflict - Work through ethical considerations when assessing narcissism - Treat complex trauma, grief, and attachment wounds - Navigate transference, countertransference, and the person of the therapist

Book Synopsis

"As more therapists are working with clients who are excavating the fallout of having narcissistic parents, this book provides actionable guidance."

-Ramani Durvasula, PhD, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go? and Don't You Know Who I Am?

There is nothing in the world quite like the feeling that someone, somewhere, finally gets it.

Adult children of narcissists have been conditioned to downplay, dismiss, and ignore their experiences. This survival skill of staying below the radar can cause even very skilled clinicians to miss subtle opportunities to connect. It is paramount that clinicians understand the scope of these clients' experiences in order to support their healing-and to avoid the common clinical mistakes and pitfalls that often lead to inadvertently repeating harmful cycles.

Drawing from decades of specialized clinical practice and illustrated with rich client stories, this essential guide provides a thorough walk-through of the assessment and treatment of narcissistic abuse so you can:

• Differentiate narcissistic abuse from other forms of family conflict
• Work through ethical considerations when assessing narcissism
• Treat complex trauma, grief, and attachment wounds
• Navigate transference, countertransference, and the person of the therapist

Review Quotes

"As more therapists are working with clients who are excavating the fallout of having narcissistic parents, this book provides actionable guidance."

-Ramani Durvasula, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go? and "Don't You Know Who I Am?", and founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training and Consulting

"This is the most comprehensive and useful clinical training book on this population I have ever read. Remarkably readable, The Clinician's Guide to Treating Adult Children of Narcissists presents a vast amount of material in such an organized, relatable way that you know you can use it right away to do a better job. Using perfect teaching metaphors, the authors offer a rare combination of practical aids and deep insight into unconscious factors. Their sensitivity to cultural issues also provides a long overdue boost in awareness for any therapist. The client handouts, charts, and questionnaires alone are worth the purchase, but read it all to get every drop of these master clinicians' wisdom."

-Lindsay Gibson, PsyD, best-selling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents

"This book is a must-have for clinicians, whether a client's parent has narcissistic tendencies or narcissistic personality disorder. Marlow-MaCoy and Kempe approach the issue of narcissistic abuse globally, looking at the damage caused not only by the narcissistic parent but also by those who enabled them."

-Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, NCC, LMHC, author of Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People-and Break Free

"Wow! I wish I'd had this wonderful resource much sooner in my career! I frequently work with the college student population, and many of them are navigating the first steps away from a narcissistic parent at the same time as the transition to adulthood. Marlow-MaCoy and Kempe have written a very thorough guide for the clinician, clearly defining concepts and sharing important history and research. The case studies are in-depth and quite illustrative. I especially appreciate the takeaway questions for further exploration at the end of each chapter, and the very helpful appendix, which is chock-full of resources. I'd say that this book would have a home on my practice's bookshelf, but I know that it will likely be off the shelf and on my desk, with many pages bookmarked and text underlined for emphasis."

-Kelly D. Shea, LMFT, trauma specialist

"The Clinician's Guide to Treating Adult Children of Narcissists is an easy and informative read. Not only do the authors provide an in-depth understanding of narcissism in all its forms and how it can impact children in their adulthood, but they also provide resources to assist in further therapeutic understanding. This, in turn, will guide and benefit treatment greatly. This book will be an invaluable tool in furthering my practice."

-Shannon Innes-Bloom, B.Psych. (Hons.), M.Psych. (Clin.)