Psychotherapy in an Age of Narcissism—Modernity, Science, and Society

Narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder are subjects of great interest in contemporary society. The modern world, with its strongly individualistic values, encourages people to focus on themselves. Psychotherapy, although used to treat narcissism, is influenced by the same values, and runs the danger of making patients worse rather than better. This book, written from the perspective of empirical research in psychology, psychiatry, and the social sciences, suggests a different approach to psychotherapy, moving away from a focus on the self, and guiding patients to develop better social capital and social networks.

JOEL PARIS has been a member of the McGill psychiatry department since 1972, is a full Professor, and served as Department Chair from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Paris is currently a Research Associate at the SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, and heads personality clinics at two hospitals. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Dr. Paris' research interest is in personality disorders. He has 175 peer-reviewed articles, and is the author of 12 books and 38 book chapters. He is an educator who has supervised psychiatric evaluation with residents for 40 years, and who has won awards for his teaching.