South Africa psychologists: Learn psychodynamic insights for working with narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations. CPD courses available.
This course looks at narcissistic and schizoid personality presentations from a psychodynamic perspective, giving South African psychologists a clearer way to recognise, conceptualise and treat personality disturbance. Using real case material and clinical vignettes, it traces the aetiology and core defensive strategies behind narcissistic and schizoid structures, with particular attention to the transference and countertransference that arise in the therapeutic relationship. It closes with practical guidance on tailoring technique to these clients, taking cultural, gender and contextual diversity into account. The course is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points and suits clinicians who regularly see personality-disordered patients in practice.
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