Australia psychologists: Gain psychodynamic insights for working with narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations. CPD courses available.
For Australian psychologists and counsellors working with personality disturbance, this course offers psychodynamic insight into narcissistic and schizoid presentations. Drawing on clinical vignettes and real-life case material, it examines how these structures develop, the defence mechanisms clients typically rely on, and how they show up in therapy through transference and countertransference patterns. The final part turns to technique, outlining relational and therapeutic approaches that support structural change and better quality of life, informed by cultural, gender and contextual diversity. This course is approved by the Australian Counselling Association for CPD hours and is a good fit for clinicians wanting more confidence with these complex clients.
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 of narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations
Describe the developmental origins of narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations
Recognise the defence mechanisms commonly used by individuals with personality disturbance Identify how these clients present in therapy, including transference and countertransference patterns
Describe clinically informed strategies for working with narcissistic and schizoid traits incorporating cultural, gender, and contextual diversity factors to support inclusive and clinically responsive understanding and treatment.
Beyond Narcissism: A handbook for practitioners and clients dealing with narcissistic abuse