Narcissistic Patients and New Therapists: Conceptualization, Treatment, and Managing Countertransfer

Patients with narcissistic pathology are challenging to most therapists, especially students, because of the countertransference that they elicit. This text describes theories of narcissism and countertransference. Four in-depth case studies are presented by doctoral students with varying levels of experience. The authors share their experience of the case and how understanding their countertransference improved their work with these patients. The text demonstrates how countertransference can be embraced and utilized in therapeutically effective ways.