Description: For a marriage or intimate partnership to thrive, partners must develop and reciprocate good conversational habits rooted in mutual respect. Effective communication involves showing genuine interest, asking questions, equitable turn-taking, and incorporating the speaker's points into responses. Conversely, conversational narcissism—where one partner dominates the conversation, shifts topics to themselves, or appears disinterested—can harm relationships and is linked to higher divorce rates. Effective couple’s therapy aims to counteract conversational narcissism by helping clients practice respectful communication as an expression of love, focusing on staying on topic, being concise, showing curiosity, and acknowledging their partner. Therapists must model these qualities and maintain high standards of respectful dialogue. The presentation will explore these themes, provide case studies, and address racial and gender differences in conversational styles to avoid pathologizing them.
The San Diego Psychoanalytic Center is accredited by the California Medical Association (CMA) to provide Category 1 continuing medical education credits for physicians, psychologists, and nurses. San Diego Psychoanalytic Center (provider #50121) is approved by the California association of marriage and family therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFT’S. San Diego Psychoanalytic Center maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.
When
Where
SDPC
This event will be held in-person at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center. A zoom option may be added later.
CEUs
Cost
Educational Objective(s)
- 1. Define the essential features of conversational narcissism and differentiate them from optimal conversational habits.
- 2. Demonstrate a clear set of interventions that counter conversational narcissism and lead to the acquisition of optimal conversational habits.
Presenter Information
Bio: Enrico Gnaulati, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in Pasadena, California, and an Affiliate Professor of Psychology at Seattle University. He is a prolific author with work featured in various media outlets, including Spectrum News, Al Jazeera America, and Psychology Today, and reviewed by publications like The New Yorker and The Huffington Post. Gnaulati is a nationally recognized advocate for mental health reform, contributing as a blogger, board member of the Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), and through his writings. His books include "Back to Normal," "Saving Talk Therapy," "Emotion-Regulating Play Therapy with ADHD Children," "Peacemaking with Preschoolers," and his latest , "Flourishing Love: A Secular Guide to Lasting Intimate Relationships."