How to Identify a Narcissist In Family or Couples Counseling

To an experienced therapist, a narcissist identifies themselves.
They cannot help it.

They dismiss the views of others in the family when those views differ from their own.

They lack empathy skills (the key trait, and key problem, in need of therapeutic change) – and thus are not able to hear or empathize with others feelings (except superficially to “charm” others).

..The biggest problem is their inability to feel empathy for those they’ve hurt. This is connected to their inability to feel and deal with their own pain, and self-soothe, which is likely why they seek to blame, punish or attack others, as a defensive way to lower their anxiety.


By Athena Staik, Ph.D.