Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Narcissistic Injury in Marital Separation and Divorce

Abstract

The psychological processes involved in marital separation and divorce often include strong felt narcissistic (self-esteem) injury. Recent developments in the psychology of narcissism can be applied for the therapeutic amelioration of such injuries. The main therapeutic task involves getting beneath ego-preserving resistance behaviors to underlying infantile fantasies of self-importance and unconditional valuing by others, which must be interpreted and worked through. The therapist's own ego is used for support and help in restoring lost narcissistic gratifications. Meaningful interpersonal relationships can then be established without felt vulnerability and need for ego protection likely to block feelings of intimacy.