February 2026 CRSPC Conference
Beneath the Surface: Configurations & Treatment of Narcissism:
A somatic intersubjective Self Psychological approach
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Do you struggle to engage with certain clients?
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Do you feel that no matter what you do, you are not getting anywhere?
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Do you find yourself labelling certain clients as ‘difficult’?
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Do you find that using manualised treatments, such as CBT or DBT, lead to non-therapeutic issues?
Clients presenting unmet traumatic childhood needs are often experienced as ‘difficult’ or branded as BPDs, personality disorders or other DSM labels. They are the ones who bore us, drain us, humiliate us, idolise us, infuriate us, regular disappear, and eventually make us feel inadequate or even useless.
The 2026 CRSPC Conference will focus on six configurations of challenging narcissistic dynamics which have emerged from analysis of childhood developmental trauma, specific unmet selfobject needs, and regularly occurring affective sequences. Integrating an Intersubjective Self Psychological perspective with a somatic, affective, and developmental understanding of relational dynamics, difficult clients can become treatable.
During two and a half days, presentations will cover an overview of narcissism, as well as grandiose, submissive/accommodating, hostile aggressive, empty/needy, and envious/rageful presentations. Case material integrated with Intersubjective Self Psychological theory will illustrate the challenges and successes of psychodynamic psychotherapeutic treatment.
Additionally, the conference will feature
- keynote presentation by Dr. Dan Perlitz of Toronto Canada speaking on Before Empathy and Selfobject Experience: The Traits and Attitudes of the Analyst.
- A tribute to Dr. Ron Lee whose 2019 ideas on Configurations and Treatment of Narcissism inspired the conference
- The opportunity to join a three-hour supervision session led by Dr. Perlitz and exploring a clinical case presented by local therapists.
Download a copy of the Conference schedule and brochure here.
To REGISTER through Event Booking click HERE!!
The conference will be live streamed and recorded. Recordings will not be downloadable.
Location: Denman Village Community Centre, Denman Prospect ACT Australia (15km west of Canberra centre)
Dates: February 20 – 5:30 to 9pm, February 21: 9am to 6pm, February 22: 9am to 5pm, February 23: (optional) morning or afternoon supervision session
Conference fee: Early bird: $575 AUD (in person or zoom);
$675AUD after 5 December 2025
Three hour supervision session: $150AUD
PACFA CPD points available 
For information contact Sandra Lauffenburger at info@selfnmotion.com.au