Narcissism and Gaslighting: How to Identify and Provide Guidance to Clients
$45.00
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 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Instructor: Stacy Blankenship, MSW, LCSW-S
Recording Date: 10/05/2024
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 (3HR) Syllabus
I. Overview of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
- Definition and diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5
- Traits include grandiosity, entitlement, lack of empathy, and need for admiration
- Common prevalence patterns and gender differences
- Comorbidities with other mental health disorders
II. Causes and Contributing Factors of NPD
- Neurobiological differences: prefrontal cortex, amygdala, insula
- Genetic influences and heritability of personality traits
- Environmental factors: parenting styles, childhood trauma, overindulgence
- Cultural contributors and media influences on narcissistic traits
III. Subtypes and Traits of Narcissism
- Overt (Grandiose): confident, attention-seeking, lacks vulnerability
- Covert (Vulnerable): hypersensitive, introverted, emotionally volatile
- Malignant: antisocial, aggressive, controlling, manipulative
- Psychological dynamics and behavioral distinctions among subtypes
IV. Narcissistic Behaviors in Relationships
- Love bombing, rushed intimacy, and exaggerated flattery
- Control through jealousy, isolation, and emotional volatility
- Patterns of inconsistency, boundary testing, and blame shifting
- Lack of accountability and emotional manipulation
V. Gaslighting: Definition and Dynamics
- Psychological and emotional abuse to distort perception and reality
- Common tactics: denial, minimizing, blame-shifting, and confusion
- Use of compassion as manipulation and strategic isolation
- Long-term effects: anxiety, self-doubt, low self-worth
VI. Types and Signs of Gaslighting
- Glamour, good-guy, and intimidator gaslighter profiles
- Signs in clients: frequent apologizing, memory confusion, isolation
- Undermined confidence, emotional dependence, and fear of speaking out
- Internalized blame and reluctance to trust personal judgment
VII. Trauma Bonding and the Cycle of Abuse
- Idealization, devaluation, discard pattern in narcissistic abuse
- Emotional addiction reinforced through intermittent reinforcement
- Shame, guilt, and hope as barriers to leaving abusive relationships
- Cognitive dissonance and difficulty detaching from the abuser
VIII. Therapeutic Interventions and Conversation Strategies
- Build trust and rapport using nonjudgmental, reflective listening
- Use exploratory and validating questions to uncover patterns
- Educate on healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics
- Encourage client-led discovery and offer psychoeducation resources
IX. Healing, Empowerment, and Self-Validation
- Promote agency, boundary-setting, and assertive communication
- Foster internal validation, intuition, and cognitive restructuring
- Tools: DEAR MAN, personal rights, affirmations, and journaling
- Emphasize self-compassion and emotional safety in recovery
X. Support Resources and Recovery Tools
- CBT and CPT worksheets for cognitive and emotional recovery
- Apps and websites for survivor support and mindfulness
- Recommended books, podcasts, support groups, and forums
- Long-term strategies for resilience, growth, and self-respect
