Ami Hartley, Psychotherapist

Here's the flyer for my upcoming group.

I'm re-starting my Adult Children of Narcissists Group and presently interviewing potential group members. This is a 90 minute, mixed gender, psychotherapy support group with a 3 month commitment. Group members must have have had prior therapy experience. The fee per group is $50 and is located in the Inner Sunset. For referrals please message me.

Alan Rappoport PhD puts it well in his article on Co-Narcissism: How we Accomodate to Narcissistic Parents stating that the coping stances of a child of a narcissist are compliance, defiance/rebellion or identification. Which one were you? I also would like to add need for control. Problems seem to escalate when the child or adult child wants to separate. This also applies to partners of narcissists.

Here's the flyer for my upcoming group.

According to Sandy Hotchkiss LCSW in her book, "Why is it always about you?" there are at least three types of Narcissistic parent...1) one who merges with and/or exploits the child for his/her own benefit, 2) one who is completely abandoning in the pursuit of admiration and attention from others and 3) one who envies her seperating child for all the attributes the child possesses and he/she does not.

Hey Everybody! If you want to follow me on twitter click on this link www.twitter.com/amielizdu

According to Sandy Hotchkiss LCSW in her book, "Why is it always about you?" there are at least three types of Narcissistic parent...1) one who merges with and/or exploits the child for his/her own benefit, 2) one who is completely abandoning in the pursuit of admiration and attention from others and 3) one who envies her seperating child for all the attributes the child possesses and he/she does not.

Children of Narcissists are seen by the parent as an appendage of themselves rather than as a whole separate person. This often leaves the child experiencing the parent's feelings without recognizing their own. This in turn creates a sense of loneliness and isolation. It is natural to feel insecure when they have never truly been validated or valued for themselves.

To be a child of a Narcissist is to grow up in an insular world where the parent is only interested in externals not interpersonal relationships. The parent resents and depends on the child at the same time creating an atmosphere of ambivalence.

A lot of talk has been going on lately about Narcissism. Psychology Today's cover recently proclaimed "How to Spot a Narcissist" or you hear people saying "She's so full of herself and narcissistic." So what exactly is a Narcissist? The name comes from the Greek mythology figure who famously dove into his own reflection. The DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) defines Narcissistic Personality Disorder as a "pervasive pattern of grandiosity, preoccupa...tion with fantasies of unlimited success, power or ideal love, requiring excessive admiration, sense of entitlement, interpersonal exploitation, lack of empathy, envious, arrogance, haughty behaviors and attitudes." This could describe a lot of people, right? You will find an abundance of them in Hollywood or the political arena. They have the chutzpah (or unmitigated gall) to go after what they feel they deserve no matter what... But what is it like to have a narcissistic parent?

You can now follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/amielizdu

http://issuu.com/amihartl//adult_child_of_narcissist_flyer

Ami Hartley suggests Psychology Today

I am going on sabbatical for 3 months to do Spanish immersion in Nicaragua as well as art therapy/ expressive arts volunteer work. I will be away from 12/3/10-2/24/11. I will be scheduling new clients from the week of 2/28/11. I look forward to your referrals.