Considerations of Narcissistic Personality Organization from the Perspective of Kohut’s Self Psychology, Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development, OLI Integrative Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Their Implications in Psychotherapeutic Practice

This paper explores narcissistic personality organization through an integrative lens encompassing three psychodynamic approaches: Kohut’s Self Psychology, Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages of development, and the OLI integrative psychodynamic psychotherapy model. The primary aim is to demonstrate the complementarity of these frameworks in both understanding and addressing narcissistic pathology, as well as to illustrate their application within clinical practice. The theoretical section examines the core concepts of each approach, while the practical application is presented through the case study of "Z.D.," which exemplifies a psychodynamic methodology in working with narcissistic personality organization. The paper discusses specific challenges encountered during the therapeutic process, including transference dynamics, resistance, and narcissistic defenses, emphasizing the role of empathic attunement in fostering a strong therapeutic alliance. The findings underscore the importance of a psychodynamic framework in comprehending and treating narcissistic personality organization, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective therapeutic interventions. This paper enhances understanding of the clinical manifestations of narcissistic pathology and offers practical guidelines for improving psychotherapeutic work with this client population.