The Narcissistic Family

Diagnosis and Treatment

By: Robert M. Pressman, Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman

Narrated by: Karen White

In this compelling book, the authors present an innovative therapeutic model for understanding and treating adults from emotionally abusive or neglectful families - families the authors call narcissistic. Narcissistic families have a parental system that is, for whatever reason (job stress, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness, physical disability, lack of parenting skills, self-centered immaturity), primarily involved in getting its own needs met. The children in such narcissistic family systems try to earn love, attention, and approval by satisfying their parents' needs, thus never developing the ability to recognize their own needs or create strategies for getting them met. By outlining the theoretical framework of their model and using dozens of illustrative clinical examples, the authors clearly illuminate specific practice guidelines for treating these individuals.

About the authors: Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman is a therapist, consultant, and trainer. She is known for her work with dysfunctional families, particularly with survivors of incest. Robert M. Pressman is the editor-in-chief and president of the Joint Commission for the Development of the Treatment and Statistical Manual for Behavioral and Mental Disorders.

©1994 Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman and Robert M. Pressman (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

This book will change the way you see yourself, your family, and the world.

Just get it. You won’t regret it. Recommended from a friend and then passing it on to others.

So totally OFF the mark

I am a victim/survivor of covert narcissistic abuse, abuse by proxy (the family)
I couldn’t even get through the first 2 chapters.
The examples and case studies were so minor in comparison to the true severity and cruelty of narcissistic abuse.
I kept waiting for the author to touch upon anything even close to what I’ve experienced.

No tan clínico como esperaba

El libro sobre familias narcisistas tiene un enfoque interesante, pero no resultó tan clínico como esperaba. Aunque aborda el tema de manera accesible, sentí que carecía de un análisis más profundo o técnico desde el punto de vista psicológico. En lugar de eso, el autor recurre constantemente a ejemplos y relatos prácticos, lo cual puede ser útil para quienes buscan identificarse o entender la dinámica narcisista desde una perspectiva cotidiana. Sin embargo, para alguien que esperaba un abordaje más teórico o académico, puede sentirse algo superficial. Es una lectura más orientada al reconocimiento personal que al estudio clínico.

Almost 30 years old

I was looking for more information/material on Covert Narcissistic Families—-the families that look so good on the Outside.