Narcissism and Gaslighting: How to Identify and Provide Guidance to Clients
$27.00
Narcissism can be hard to identify in relationships, especially for the layperson who loves them, so how can we, as clinicians, help our clients stuck in these cycles? Often, people who are in these types of relationships will seek treatment because they have been convinced that they are the troubled component of the situation and are seeking to change themselves when that might not be the problem. In this training, we will discuss the red flags of narcissism and gaslighting behaviors in relationships so that we can provide empathetic guidance on the next steps to help clients care for themselves and their mental health.
Upon completion of this training participants will be able to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms of narcissism
- Identify how narcissism and gaslighting behaviors show up in relationships.
- Provide therapeutic interventions for survivors of narcissistic abuse
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 General asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 hours of General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Instructor: Stacy Blankenship, MSW, LCSW-S
Recording Date: 9/17/2024
Recorded Live Webinar with downloadable presentation slides and/or handouts, evaluation, and a required quiz. The learner is required to pass with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test until a satisfactory score is achieved. CE Training Workshops, LLC, provider #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/2/2022 – 8/2/2025. CE Training Workshops, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device. For more information about our policies and board approval statements, please visit our FAQS page.
Stacy Blankenship, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapist completing her training at The Linehan Institute in 2015.
Narcissism and Gaslighting: How to Identify and Provide Guidance to Clients (1.5HR) Syllabus
I. Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
- DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for NPD
- Core traits: grandiosity, lack of empathy, need for admiration
- Common behavioral patterns and clinical symptoms
- Prevalence, gender differences, and comorbidity with other disorders
II. Origins and Causes of NPD
- Biological contributors: oxidative stress and brain function
- Genetic influence and heritability of personality traits
- Role of parenting styles, early attachment, and trauma
- Impact of compromised emotional empathy and societal reinforcement
III. Subtypes and Traits of Narcissism
- Overt (grandiose) vs. covert (vulnerable) narcissism
- Russ’s three subtypes: grandiose/malignant, fragile, high-functioning
- Key behavioral indicators and emotional markers of each subtype
- Differences in life satisfaction, motivation, and coping mechanisms
IV. Narcissistic Traits in Relationships
- Manipulative behaviors: entitlement, superiority, emotional reactivity
- Common challenges: anger, shame, difficulty managing stress
- Projection, deflection, and withdrawal in interpersonal conflict
- Deep-seated fear of failure masked by arrogance or emotional detachment
V. Defining and Understanding Gaslighting
- Psychological abuse that manipulates perception and memory
- Intentional denial, contradiction, and minimization of experiences
- Goal is to create self-doubt, confusion, and control over the victim
- Gaslighting as a precursor to interpersonal violence and emotional harm
VI. Techniques and Red Flags of Gaslighting
- Denial, blame-shifting, trivializing, and withholding communication
- Inconsistent narratives and contradicting statements
- Emotional manipulation, projection, and false compassion
- Isolation from support networks and undermining confidence
VII. Client Indicators of Gaslighting Exposure
- Self-doubt, frequent apologizing, and low self-worth
- Over-responsibility in the relationship and fear of confrontation
- Shifting perceptions and uncertainty about what is real
- Reporting conflicting behavior from partner: public praise vs. private harm
VIII. Clinical Strategies for Working with Survivors
- Build safety through trust, validation, and reflective listening
- Introduce the concept of gaslighting gently, without labeling
- Use exploratory and open-ended questions to encourage insight
- Support client autonomy through psychoeducation and normalization
IX. Tools for Empowerment and Healing
- CBT and CPT worksheets for reframing distorted thoughts
- Journaling, self-validation exercises, and boundary-setting tools
- Apps: Insight Timer, Woebot, CPT Coach for daily support
- Use of DEAR MAN from DBT and personal rights affirmations
X. Resources for Continued Support
- Online communities: SoNA, Reddit’s r/NarcissisticAbuse, Empowered Empaths
- Support forums and hotlines for emotional abuse and narcissistic recovery
- Recommended books: The Gaslight Effect, Disarming the Narcissist, Out of the Fog
- Websites and tools: TherapistAid, NARP, Narcissist Abuse Recovery platforms
