When Narcissism Walks Into Your Therapy Office | Dr. Anthony Mazzella | TPOT 415

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Why is this client so hard to reach?" or "Why does every conversation turn into a power struggle?" this episode is for you. Today, I'm joined by Dr. Anthony Mazzella, a psychoanalyst who specializes in working with narcissistic dynamics. We go far beyond surface-level conversations about narcissism. This isn't about labels, buzzwords, or quick fixes. It's about what's actually happening underneath the behavior and what truly helps. We talk about why arguing over "reality" never works, why confrontation often backfires, and how curiosity, containment, and staying with the process can completely change the way therapists work with narcissistic clients and how partners survive narcissistic relationships. Whether you're a therapist sitting with these dynamics in the room, a supervisor guiding clinicians through complex cases, or someone trying to understand a relationship that feels confusing and exhausting, this conversation offers a grounded and compassionate framework for understanding narcissism. This is one of those episodes that stays with you, and I'm really glad to share it with you today. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Dr. Mazzella As a leader and expert in the field, Dr. Mazzella holds various clinical positions, including, but not limited to, treating patients in his private practice, training professionals at two post-graduate training institutes, conducting research, and lecturing across the country. While his focus with his patients is psychodynamic in nature, his main goals are to build a trusting relationship and help each patient reduce the frequency and intensity of their emotionally painful thoughts and suffering. He helps his patients overcome both acute and long-standing problems that may be more embedded in their personality. Website Instagram Podcast Facebook LinkedIn YouTube