Abstract

Although marriage and family therapists are one of the main providers in treating mental and relational health issues, there is not a significant emphasis on the identification, assessment, and treatment of victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse in COAMFTE-accredited Masters level Marriage and Family Therapy programs (COAMFTE, 2017). This needs assessment aimed to identify the knowledge and clinical skills recommended by clinicians who treat victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse to identify some needs, assessments, and treatment practices that can guide LMFTs in treating this population. This needs assessment explored current literature, research, and academic and clinical resources focused on narcissism and narcissistic abuse, followed by interviewing 14 mental health clinicians who self-identified as competent, proficient, or expert in narcissistic abuse recovery. There is a dearth of empirical research, academic and clinical resources, training and treatment models, and evidence-based programs and modalities focused on victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse. The dearth in awareness and advocacy of this population has led to discrepancies and insufficiencies in developing standardized diagnoses, terminology, clinical training, and treatment. The results of this needs assessment concluded fundamental therapeutic recommendations in clinician’s required knowledge, clinical skills, resources, assessment, and treatment of victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse. The recommendations can be a stepping stone in the development of further empirical research, diagnosis, assessment tools, academic curriculum, evidence-based treatment models, training model and program development.

LLU Discipline

Marital and Family Therapy

Department

Marital and Family Therapy

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Lena Lopez Bradley

Second Advisor

Nichola Seaton Ribadu

Third Advisor

Zephon Lister

Degree Name

Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT)

Year Degree Awarded

2022

Date (Title Page)

12-2022

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Needs Assessment; Narcissism; Psychotherapy; Survivorship

Type

Doctoral Project

Page Count

xv, 215 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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