Three Stages of Therapy to help in your Relationship With a Narcissist

There are three stages of therapy.

First Stage

You learn about yourself, your background, your family of origin, and the issues of your current situation in the first stage. When the thing that brings you into therapy is anxiety brought on by being in a relationship with a narcissist, you may for the first time be able, to be honest with yourself about who you are, how and why you are attracted to a narcissistic personality.

There can be a lot of ground to cover. Your therapist will help you define and set goals. It might be how to deal with your partner, ex, or parent. It might be managing your anxiety, assessing how you have been manipulated, or working with financial challenges. It might be grief or helping the children get through a divorce. The goals may change as you move forward.

This first stage can be intense and, for a while, feel like nothing is changing — but patience will prove that the healing and growth you desire is a process worth the investment.

Second Stage

The second stage is working toward recovery and healing from what was examined in the first step.

The most important aspect of therapy is the relationship you develop with your therapist. A safe, caring-connected relationship with your therapist creates a reparative experience that helps you see what can be expected in a future healthy relationship.

Third Stage

The third stage is where you start to see things through a different lens so you can move on with your life. Therapy should not be a forever commitment. In the third stage, you may find yourself responding to situations in new ways that surprise you. It can be like how a child shrieks with delight while she has the support of training-wheels, but at some point, she’s ready to do it without the extra help. The end of therapy often feels organic. You should feel good — more resilient and able to navigate daily life.

I hope this helps you understand the therapeutic process. If you have questions about your anxiety or your relationship with a narcissist in Los Angeles, click HERE for a free 15-minute phone consultation. To learn more about me, click here.