Marriage Counseling At Take Charge, Inc. Addresses Narcissistic Relationships

Marriage counseling at Take Charge, Inc., in Overland Park, Kansas, is available for couples and individual counseling for those in a relationship with a narcissistic tendencies or diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissistic relationships are formed when one or both partners struggle with a narcissistic personality.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is defined by The Mayo Clinic as “a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they’re superior to others and have little regard for other people’s feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.” Terri Dichiser, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas and Missouri, utilizes Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) for marriage counseling including with couples where one or both have symptoms of NPD.

Narcissism is a personality disorder that seems to be more common in the current day. The severity of symptoms may vary from one person to another. Many times people from the outside see a narcissist as someone who sees themselves as more important than others or constantly focused on their own needs and wants. Terri works with couples in marriage counseling to address issues which affect them because of symptoms of NPD.

There are signs to look for to discern whether your spouse (or yourself) may be a narcissist. Some include:

Distorted need for attention and validation
Narcissists yearn for constant attention and approval. They may be expecting simple praise, such as compliments for effort they are putting in around the house. Other times, they may be extremely clingy. They could follow you around wanting more. At times, your words may seem to go straight through them meaning nothing.

Feeling superior and entitled
Narcissists live in a world of hierarchy. There’s always the best and the worst along with the right and the wrong. This mindset opens up their world of control. They must be the best, be right and hold the final answer. On the opposite end, narcissists can also get that superior feeling by being the worst, the most wrong, or the most ill, upset, or injured for a period of time. Then they feel entitled to receive empathetic concern or even the right to hurt you or demand apologies to “make things even.”

Lack of empathy
Narcissists rarely have the ability to empathize with others. They lean more towards being selfish and self-involved. Their ability to feel what others are feeling is rare. Narcissists expect others to think and feel the same as they do and seldom give any thought to how others feel. Apologies, remorse or guilt are not frequent fliers from a narcissist’s mouth. When the words are in reverse however, narcissists take these three as threats to themselves. They are very sensitive and threatened by anger or rejection of others. They can take your true statements of apology, or expression of love, as a manipulative threat.

Often NPD or symptoms of NPD are rooted in attachment trauma.  This trauma is a disruption in the critical process of bonding between a child and his or her primary caregiver. That trauma may be abuse or neglect, or  the less obvious lack of affection or response from the caregiver.  EFT marriage counseling, and Emotionally Focused individual counseling, at Take Charge, Inc. can help identify and address this attachment trauma.  Narcissistic relationships tend to be very challenging. EFT research is based on 20 years of clinical studies with proven results for couples in crisis. EFT counseling is based on therapy with your spouse in the safe environment of Terri’s office, to help create a haven of safety and strength in your marriage.

For more information about being in a narcissistic relationship and marriage counseling at Take Charge, Inc., call (913) 239-8255.