Narcissistic Personality Therapists in New Brunswick

What is narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy — alongside often fragile self-esteem beneath the surface. People with NPD may have an inflated sense of their own importance, a sense of entitlement, difficulty maintaining reciprocal relationships, and react with significant distress to perceived criticism or slights. NPD affects approximately 1% of the general population and is more commonly diagnosed in men.

Can people with NPD benefit from therapy?

Yes, though treatment is challenging because people with NPD often do not recognize or acknowledge the impact of their behaviour on others, and may enter therapy due to secondary issues — depression, relationship breakdown, career difficulties — rather than the personality pattern itself. Schema Therapy, Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) have the strongest evidence for personality disorders including NPD. Progress is possible with a skilled therapist and genuine engagement in the process.

I have been hurt by someone with narcissistic traits — can therapy help me?

Absolutely. Therapy is particularly important for people who have been in relationships with narcissistically abusive partners, parents, or other close figures. Common experiences include self-doubt, loss of identity, trauma bonding, difficulty trusting your own perceptions, anxiety, and depression. A trauma-informed therapist can help you process the impact of the relationship, rebuild self-trust, understand the dynamics that maintained the relationship, and develop clearer limits in future relationships.

What is the difference between narcissistic traits and NPD?

Narcissistic traits — such as occasional self-centredness, need for validation, or difficulty taking criticism — exist on a spectrum and are common in the general population, particularly under stress. NPD is diagnosed when these traits are pervasive, inflexible, cause significant impairment in relationships and functioning, and represent a stable pattern across contexts rather than situational responses. Not everyone who behaves narcissistically has NPD — and not everyone with NPD behaves in overtly harmful ways.

Should I try to get my partner or family member with narcissistic traits to go to therapy?

This is a common question and a complicated one. You cannot force someone to engage meaningfully with therapy, and therapy for personality disorders only works when the person is motivated. Your own therapy is often the most productive place to start — to clarify what you are experiencing, what you can and cannot change, and what choices you want to make about the relationship. A therapist experienced with personality disorders can guide you in how to approach this situation realistically.