Weekly Insights: Healing Without a Therapist

Weekly Insights: Healing Without a Therapist

Author: Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D. May 27, 2025 Duration: 11:29
In this Weekly Insight, Dr. Ettensohn shares an adapted preview from his upcoming video on narcissism at the neurotic level of personality organization. He reflects on what it means to move toward psychological integration, emotional complexity, and the capacity for self-reflection - especially for those doing this work without a therapist. Drawing from clinical understanding and developmental theory, Dr. Ettensohn discusses how self-acceptance, mindfulness, and the capacity to tolerate imperfection are crucial aspects of healing. He emphasizes the importance of allowing history to be real, recognizing and managing splitting, and loosening rigid self-perceptions that often emerge from narcissistic defenses. Using metaphor, lived experience, and grounded strategies, he shows how healing becomes possible even outside the therapeutic relationship when we begin to relate to ourselves differently.

In each episode of Heal NPD, clinical psychologist Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D., offers a grounded and compassionate look at narcissism, moving beyond the stereotypes that dominate casual conversation. Drawing from his professional practice, Dr. Ettensohn unpacks the complexities of narcissistic personality disorder and related patterns, providing clarity on their underlying mechanisms and impacts. This isn't about labeling or blame; it's a space for genuine understanding, whether you're a person seeking growth, a partner, a family member, or a professional in the field. You'll hear discussions that blend psychological science with practical insights, exploring pathways toward healing, setting boundaries, and fostering healthier relationships. The tone is educational yet accessible, demystifying a topic often shrouded in confusion and stigma. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a nuanced perspective from a specialist who approaches the subject with both clinical expertise and deep humanity. Dr. Ettensohn's thoughtful commentary aims to equip you with knowledge that is both intellectually sound and emotionally resonant, making Heal NPD a unique resource in the landscape of mental health dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 62

Heal NPD
Podcast Episodes
Internal Absence: Emptiness in NPD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:00
Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines the experience of emptiness in narcissistic personality disorder and other forms of personality pathology. Rather than approaching personality disorders as collections of traits or behaviors,…
Living with Pathological Narcissism: What Loved Ones Reveal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series with Dr. Mark Ettensohn, joined by his associates Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, Ph.D. In this session, the group discusses the paper “Living with Pathological…
Narcissism Is Not a Moral Category [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:50
Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines a growing tendency in public discourse to treat narcissism as a moral category rather than as a psychological construct. The episode explores why this shift occurs and how misunderstandings ab…
Accountability Without Dehumanization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:24
Dr. Mark Ettensohn addresses a question that frequently arises in discussions of narcissism and abuse: Is it possible to maintain accountability without dehumanizing? Can someone preserve firm boundaries without abandoni…
2025 Study: Narcissism Does Not Predict Abuse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:23
This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series with Dr. Mark Ettensohn, joined by his associates Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group examines a recent empirical study titled Coerc…
The Ethics of Narc-Abuse Content: Why 'It Helps' Isn't Enough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
In this episode, Dr. Mark Ettensohn examines a common defense of online “narcissistic abuse” content: the claim that, even if imperfect or inaccurate, it ultimately helps people leave harmful relationships. Rather than f…
From Validation to Isolation: The Narc-Abuse Pipeline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:03
In this video, Dr. Ettensohn examines the online narc-abuse ecosystem and explores how content that initially feels validating and supportive can, over time, become thought-constraining and socially isolating for some vi…
Understanding Empathy in Narcissistic Personality Disorder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
This video continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Mark Ettensohn with his associates, Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group discusses Empathy and Narcissistic Personality…