Narcissistic Personality (NPD) Therapists in Philadelphia, PA

You look in the mirror and see the "bad" traits. That you're not thin enough, not righteous enough, not "good" enough. You realize that these traits were projected there by someone else--a partner, or maybe even a parent. You want to recover from perhaps a lifetime of emotional pain and narcissistic abuse but you don't know where to begin...I specialize in treating adult children of narcissists, cult abuse/religious trauma survivors, and those struggling with disordered eating and body image issues. I can support you in developing your inner strengths so that when you look in the mirror it will be your true self staring back at you.

As a therapist and a fellow individual who is quite familiar with the majestic peaks and the harsh valleys of our human experience, I understand the importance of holding a secure, safe and abundantly compassionate space filled with warmth and thoughtful considerations of your challenges as you enter the therapeutic space with me. Additionally, I recognize the importance of my showing up in our shared space as an authentic person – I am unapologetically myself and I can guarantee that the cold clinical encounters of the typical therapy experience does not exist in my corner of the world.

Will I ever be good enough?....Maybe I AM the crazy one?... Have you had these thoughts? Are you anxious, depressed, a chronic people pleaser? Have your "loved ones" blamed you for "everything that is wrong"? Do you hate the way they act around you, but then a few memories of when they were nice make you feel guilty for having those thoughts (cognitive dissonance)? This is all normal if you have experienced narcissistic abuse or emotionally immature parents. This is where I come in. Healing is a real possibility. You deserve it and I'm dedicated to helping you move from surviving to thriving!

If you'd like to get free from relational trauma, I would love to help you. I specialize in anxiety, depression, emotional and narcissistic abuse, Trauma/PTSD, ACA / ACoA recovery for adult children of alcoholics and family dysfunction, Personality Disorders, and ADHD. I've worked in substance abuse recovery for 8 years and led a group for adults with ADHD with the national organization CHADD for 3 years. I work with abuse survivors and I lead an ongoing group for recovery from gaslighting, narcissistic and emotional abuse, betrayal trauma, and intimate partner violence. If you're going through hell, keep going.

I believe in the power of research-driven, neuroscience-based treatment because healing begins with knowing. I am a neuroscience-trained cognitive-behaviorist with a PhD in clinical psychology, and 40 years of clinical expertise in the assessment and psychotherapy for problems with PTSD, Childhood Trauma, and Addiction, for individuals and couples including veterans and active-duty military. If you suffer from trauma or addiction (drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, pornography, internet/gaming), you are welcome to be seen in my office, anywhere in the country, or around the world through telehealth web-therapy.

Your most well-intentioned friend or internet guru might have you believe that fixing your problems is a quick process that involves simple mantras and just doing things differently. In contrast, I believe that it is possible in time and in the context of developing a genuine and safe therapeutic relationship, for you to feel understood, cared for and free to express yourself while creating change. My clinical experience lies in helping those through relationship troubles, uncomfortable and painful feelings, addiction to substances, feelings of depression and anxiety, or just a quiet sense that something is not right.

I believe in meeting people where they are, perpetuating meaningful and supportive connection. I enjoy working with clients who are experiencing abuse, neglect, and trauma and who are suffering from the consequences of that trauma. I will help you understand your specific trauma responses and how to change them. You can find relief. You can heal. My goal is to support you in making changes in your life that will lead to positive outcomes and a fulfilling life.

Since 1932, Council for Relationships has provided therapy and psychiatry services to those in Pennslyvania and New Jersey. Our Staff Clinicians offer individual, relationship (sometimes called "couples"), family, and sex therapy online and in person. We make the best therapy services accessible to everyone. Our 80+ Staff Therapists & Psychiatrists specialize in over 45 specialties and provide comprehensive mental health care and medicine management. We see clients of all ages, backgrounds, religions, genders, and sexualities. We believe that thriving relationships foster flourishing communities. Let us help you thrive.

My clients come from all walks of life and many suffer from depression and anxiety as a result of childhood trauma or adult personal circumstances related to relationships, but are ready to find healing.

I view the psychotherapy process as a collaboration, where the two of us are working together to make sense of the obstacles interfering with your emotional well-being. My treatment approach is psychodynamic and relational. I find that closely attending to shifts in the therapeutic relationship - in a safe and empathic manner - can be powerful in unlocking painful patterns and enhancing personal strengths. My aim is to help you gain a fuller understanding of yourself and, in turn, more freedom of choice so you can live a more meaningful life, with greater comfort.

If you feel stuck, ruminative, or disconnected from your own life, and are seeking an engaged and examined life, psychotherapy can help. I deeply enjoy empowering my patients to know themselves and those around them with greater nuance, depth and honesty. Rather than labeling symptoms in a medicalized, detached way, I work to help patients negotiate complex relationships with themselves and those around them. By identifying patterns and the ways we find ourselves "stuck", psychotherapy can help disentangle these impasses, offering a freer way of being in the world.

Alex is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified EMDR Therapist. With over 16 years of experience working with culturally and socioeconomically diverse populations of adults, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings, including residential, inpatient, and outpatient settings, he specializes in the treatment of trauma and related challenges. His areas of specialization also include the treatment of anxiety and depression, mood disorders, relationship challenges, attentional and behavioral difficulties, performance enhancement, anger and stress management. He provides individual, couples, and family therapies.

Julie has extensive experience and training in the treatment of mental health issues and workplace concerns. She has successfully treated depression and anxiety, grief and loss, LGBTQ issues, and trauma based dysfunction.

There are many reasons one might seek therapy. Some look for help when they are feeling overwhelmed by events in their lives, such as the end of an important relationship or a challenging medical diagnosis. Others come because they have a persistent sense of suffering they do not fully understand or that has been difficult to resolve. If you feel you are not living your life as fully as you would like, or if you are dissatisfied, stressed, or unhappy, it is worth understanding and addressing.

I approach treatment as a collaboration between two partners, working together to deepen our understanding of your concerns, and construct alternative ways of thinking, being, relating and feeling. As a relational psychodynamic therapist, I consider our relationship an essential mechanism of change.

I believe that in order to change anything, we first need to understand and accept it. This is done through talking. I bring an empathetic, worldly, and multidisciplinary approach to help you gain a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want. We all repeat the same patterns through our lives that sometimes prevent us from happiness.Through therapy, we can start to observe those patterns, and then decide how we want to change them.

You feel anxious, stuck, and overwhelmed. Perhaps you’ve been told you’re “too sensitive,” or maybe that you worry or expect too much. It’s hard to feel heard and understood by those around you. You struggle to feel good enough, to have trust that things will work out. You want nothing more than to feel calm and secure in your life, but you don’t know where to begin. If any of this sounds familiar, you've come to the right place.

My approach to therapy is one that prioritizes the creation of a relationship that is safe, mutual, and honest. I want my clients to feel empowered and free to explore themselves and grow into the person they wish to become. I am calm, warm, and active. I offer my clients feedback and challenge them in ways that encourage growth, often with some levity and humor. I value knowing my clients as a person and prioritize understanding and appreciating their perspective. I work together with my clients to identify negative patterns in their life and provide the opportunity to create new, healthy experiences.

Life is like a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs that can sometimes leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed. As your therapist, I want you to know that I've faced my fair share of life's challenges, including anger, grief, and worry. I chose this path because, beyond my passion for helping people, I've always been curious about exploring my own inner world and understanding the human experience. I genuinely believe that everyone can benefit from having a supportive and non-judgmental person by their side.