CRSPC Conference – February 20-23, 2026, Canberra Australia
Beneath the Surface: Configurations and Treatment of Narcissism, A somatic intersubjective Self Psychological approach.
To register complete your booking at Eventbookings.com by clicking the link here.
Clients presenting with archaic narcissistic needs are often experienced as “difficult”, and branded as BPD, personality disorder or some other DSM label. They are the ones who sometimes drain us, bore us, humiliate us, idolise us, infuriate us, disappear on us, and can make us feel useless….until we understand what is happening for them and what they need from us. It’s understanding their needs that then enables us to meet them where they are and to understand their experience of life and relationships.
The 2026 CRSPC conference will present an understanding of difficult, narcissistic presentations, offering six innovative configurations of narcissistic dynamics emerging from analysis of childhood developmental trauma.
The 2026 CRSPC Conference will be held in Canberra, on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri People.
The focus of the conference is 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.
Over 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.
The conference holds particular relevance for practitioners seeking deeper understanding of clients often diagnosed with BPD or other personality disorders, which are regularly referred on. The conference will also equip therapists to recognise and hopefully prevent re-traumatisation as well as work more effectively with clients whose childhood needs often remain misunderstood and unmet in standard practice.
Additionally, the conference will feature:
- A 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 clinical cases presented by local therapists.
You can expect to leave this conference with clinically relevant and evidence-informed, directly applicable treatment approaches for complex client presentations including:
A more accurate ability to identify and nuance the individual needs of people within the full spectrum of narcissistic presentations
More confidence in working effectively with difficult presentations by applying understanding gained through the case studies.
Ethical development of clinical practice through understanding of narcissistic behaviours as expressions of relational needs.
Comprehending a culturally sensitive and relationally attuned understanding of childhood developmental trauma and its adult presentations through the relational experience-near approach of intersubjective self psychology.
Understanding the essential traits and attitudes of the therapist which form the necessary emotional foundation for empathy and selfobject experience, the core concepts of self psychology.
This rich offering will be live streamed but not recorded.
Conference 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: $575 AUD (in person or zoom) Early Bird until 6 December 2025.
Three hour supervision session: $150AUD
PACFA CPD points available.
For information contact the conference organiser: Sandra Lauffenburger at info@selfnmotion.com.au
To register complete your booking at Eventbookings.com by clicking the link here.
