Recorded Session #1

For context, Ashley and I have been working together since March 2022. She is a survivor of a suicide attempt that occurred in January 2022. Ashley has been navigating relationship issues and this is our second session since her separation. The relationship began to worsen within the past few months, as Ashley began to express concerns about incidents and experiences that presented as an emotionally abusive relationship.

Ashley used a prior session to inquire about the diagnostic criteria of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and opened up to me about more intimate experiences with her partner. We worked to increase her understanding of the possibility of an undiagnosed and/or untreated mental health disorder being a variable in the relationship. I advised Ashley, I cannot confirm or deny as I am not conducting that assessment on him directly but did agree that many of the reported bx experiences resemble someone with many of NPD-type tendencies, also explaining to her the spectrum and variations within NPD.

Also note, there were two technical disruptions which should very rarely occur as the therapist. Since opening our practice, there have been 3 instances when I needed to use my phone to facilitate a Zoom session due to not having my laptop and/or charger. This day was one of those three. We’re all human and issues like this will occur in the modern world of telehealth. When it does happen, it is best to be as transparent and flexible as possible. Thankfully, I remind my clients how beautiful it is to be imperfectly perfect so they understand when their therapist is too.