The Use of Sleep and Other Dissociative Mechanisms to Survive the Impact of Traumatic Narcissism
Thursday, January 17, 2019, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Presented by:
Allison Penn, LP
The Use of Sleep and Other Dissociative Mechanisms to Survive the Impact of Traumatic Narcissism
The National Institute for the Psychotherapies
250 West 57th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10107
This case presentation will explore the impact of relational trauma, specifically traumatic narcissism, and how it manifests in dissociative experiences in the treatment for both the patient and the analyst. Through clinical material from work with a patient who employs self-protective, dissociative states, ranging from falling asleep during sessions, to binge eating, to more subtle, pervasive behavior such as lateness to sessions and “stuckness” in her personal life, the author will consider these dissociative enactments as responses to relational trauma—somatic evidence of the patient’s adaptations to an intrusive, narcissistic parent. The author will further discuss her own experience of dissociation in the treatment — becoming sleepy during sessions — and describe how the patient’s and analyst’s burgeoning mutual awareness of their dissociation has facilitated therapeutic growth.
Allison Penn, LP is a licensed psychoanalyst and a 2017 graduate of NIP’s license qualifying program in Psychoanalysis & Contemporary Psychotherapy. Before entering the psychoanalytic field, Allison worked as an attorney for many years. She has a private psychotherapy practice in lower Manhattan where she treats adults and couples.
Continuing Education
NIPPA Case Presentations do not offer CE hours.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required.