Types of Therapy for Narcissism
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating narcissistic traits or Narcissistic Personality Disorder, but several therapeutic modalities have shown promise depending on the individual’s needs and level of functioning.
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Types of Therapy for Narcissism
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some effective therapies include:
• Schema Therapy – Restructures deep identity patterns and emotional wounds
• Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) – Works with core identity conflicts through the therapist relationship
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Builds emotion regulation and interpersonal skills
• Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) – Strengthens the ability to understand self and others’ emotions
• Psychodynamic Therapy – Explores unconscious defenses and childhood roots
• REBT, Gestalt, EMDR... and more
Good therapy creates safety without enabling. It challenges without shaming.
• Schema Therapy – Restructures deep identity patterns and emotional wounds
• Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) – Works with core identity conflicts through the therapist relationship
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Builds emotion regulation and interpersonal skills
• Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) – Strengthens the ability to understand self and others’ emotions
• Psychodynamic Therapy – Explores unconscious defenses and childhood roots
• REBT, Gestalt, EMDR... and more
Good therapy creates safety without enabling. It challenges without shaming.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on identifying and challenging distorted beliefs about self and others, improving interpersonal thinking, and developing more adaptive behaviors.
Can help with: Entitlement, perfectionism, black-and-white thinking, emotional dysregulation.
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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Designed specifically for individuals with high shame and self-criticism. Helps build internal self-worth, compassion for others, and emotional warmth.
Can help with: Reducing shame-based narcissistic defenses and increasing authentic empathy.
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Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT)
Focuses on improving metacognition — the ability to understand one’s own and others’ mental states. Developed specifically for personality disorders including narcissistic ones.
Can help with: Improving insight, self-reflection, and emotional connection.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps clients stop fighting their internal experiences and commit to values-based actions. Useful for clients rigidly stuck in avoidance, performance, or status-seeking cycles.
Can help with: Building psychological flexibility and detaching from ego-driven roles.
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
A short-term structured therapy focused on improving interpersonal functioning and managing relational conflict.
Can help with: Navigating real-time interpersonal repair and increasing awareness of impact on others.
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Group Therapy (with Caution)
Can be effective in the right setting with strong facilitation. Group feedback often helps narcissistic individuals confront interpersonal blind spots, build empathy, and tolerate imperfection.
Can help with: Social learning, accountability, interpersonal repair.
⚠️ Needs skilled facilitation — group dynamics can trigger narcissistic defenses.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Helps clients identify and work with “parts” (e.g., inner critic, protector, wounded child) in a non-shaming, non-pathologizing way.
Can help with: Building empathy toward self-parts, resolving inner conflicts, reducing reactivity.
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Somatic Experiencing / Body-Based Therapies
Can be useful adjuncts, especially when narcissistic traits are rooted in early trauma or dissociation from emotional experience.
Can help with: Regulation, grounding, and reintegrating disconnected affect.
Focuses on identifying and challenging distorted beliefs about self and others, improving interpersonal thinking, and developing more adaptive behaviors.
Can help with: Entitlement, perfectionism, black-and-white thinking, emotional dysregulation.
⸻
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Designed specifically for individuals with high shame and self-criticism. Helps build internal self-worth, compassion for others, and emotional warmth.
Can help with: Reducing shame-based narcissistic defenses and increasing authentic empathy.
⸻
Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT)
Focuses on improving metacognition — the ability to understand one’s own and others’ mental states. Developed specifically for personality disorders including narcissistic ones.
Can help with: Improving insight, self-reflection, and emotional connection.
⸻
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps clients stop fighting their internal experiences and commit to values-based actions. Useful for clients rigidly stuck in avoidance, performance, or status-seeking cycles.
Can help with: Building psychological flexibility and detaching from ego-driven roles.
⸻
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
A short-term structured therapy focused on improving interpersonal functioning and managing relational conflict.
Can help with: Navigating real-time interpersonal repair and increasing awareness of impact on others.
⸻
Group Therapy (with Caution)
Can be effective in the right setting with strong facilitation. Group feedback often helps narcissistic individuals confront interpersonal blind spots, build empathy, and tolerate imperfection.
Can help with: Social learning, accountability, interpersonal repair.
⚠️ Needs skilled facilitation — group dynamics can trigger narcissistic defenses.
⸻
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Helps clients identify and work with “parts” (e.g., inner critic, protector, wounded child) in a non-shaming, non-pathologizing way.
Can help with: Building empathy toward self-parts, resolving inner conflicts, reducing reactivity.
⸻
Somatic Experiencing / Body-Based Therapies
Can be useful adjuncts, especially when narcissistic traits are rooted in early trauma or dissociation from emotional experience.
Can help with: Regulation, grounding, and reintegrating disconnected affect.
