About this event
Session Four: Narcissistic Adaptations as a Defense from the Pain of Sexual Abuse and How to Work with Them
Overview:
This final session of the four-part course explores the often-misunderstood concept of narcissism, particularly in the context of male survivors of sexual abuse. While narcissism is frequently used as a slur or to dismiss harmful behavior, this session reframes it as a survival adaptation rooted in trauma. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of narcissistic adaptations, their origins, and how to work effectively with male survivors who exhibit these traits.
Key Topics:
1. Behavioral Indicators of Narcissism:
- Drawing on Heinz Kohut’s theories, we will examine the presentation of narcissistic traits and their application to male survivors.
- Exploring the often-overlooked motivations behind narcissistic adaptations, such as self-protection and the need to avoid vulnerability.
2. Narcissistic Personality Disorder Adaptations: - Breaking down different types of narcissistic adaptations and their underlying desires (e.g., validation, control, or safety).
- Understanding how these adaptations can hinder the formation of healthy relationships and perpetuate isolation.
3. Challenges in Working with Narcissistic Adaptations: - Exploring projective identification and countertransference as tools to understand painful therapeutic interactions.
- Using a case study to integrate insights from all four sessions, examining how narcissistic adaptations manifest in a client and how to address them effectively.
Themes in this workshop draw on the information from Jeremy Sachs’ forthcoming book, An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and their Allies: Masculinity Reconnected, set for release in July 2025. Early reviews:
‘Packed full of insights and practical guidance and signposting, this is an engaging, accessible, and deeply compassionate text for male survivors of sexual abuse and their allies—including the professionals working with them. An essential guide for those wanting to navigate this complex, sensitive, but profoundly important field.’
– Mick Cooper, author of Psychology at the Heart of Social Change (Policy Press, 2023).
‘Given that patriarchal adaptations mean men are often taught to hide, or suppress, the shame of sexual abuse, to have so gentle, yet so pointed and strong, a masculine voice speak on so sensitive a subject says a lot about the power of the prose presented in this volume. This is an emotional, sensitive tome, written from the thoughtful and somatically considered. This book lays out that road, presents pathways for practitioners to work with what is a challenging, little understood, yet hugely important experience for a good number of men. This is therefore a worthwhile, easy to access, deep dive into the experiences of male survivors of sexual abuse, which offers routes forward for practitioners working with these issues in their practices.’
– Dr Dwight Turner – (He/Him) PhD, Dipl Supvn, Psychotherapist, Supervisor, and Workshop, Facilitator, UKCP Accredited
‘ is profoundly moving: emotionally, it draws you into the embodied narratives of male sexual abuse survivors, compelling you to immerse in their lived realities often shrouded in silence. Conceptually, it challenges the very core of persistent myths about what it means to live as, and be, a man. Therapeutically, it provokes a necessary and urgent reckoning amongst mental health professionals, urging us to question how rigid social constructions of masculinity implicitly guide therapeutic interactions with male service users, where silent struggles may be mistaken as stoic endurance’.
– Dr Nini Kerr, Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh
‘In this book, Jeremy Sachs engages the reader with essential information, practical guidance and real-life examples, supported by reflective activities and resources. The emphasis on the impact of intersectionality provides a contemporary and much-needed lens through which to understand the unique difficulties of male survivors. But it is the way that Jeremy writes, making the reader feel understood, supported, and respected, that gives a sense that he is there with you throughout.’
– Professor Kate Smith, University of Aberdeen
‘Jeremy Sachs’ thoughtful, caring and sensitive exploration of the complexities and nuances of the under-recognised impact of male sexual trauma and abuse will benefit men, their allies, and clinicians in navigating words and experiences hidden by years of emotional turmoil. This essential resource will assist in demystifying survivors’ experiences.’
– Andrew Davidson, Joint Programme Head of the Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy at Tavistock Relationships.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- Be able to identify behavioral indicators of narcissistic adaptations in male survivors.
- Develop a nuanced understanding of the individual presentations of this complex and often painful adaptation.
- Reflect on the challenges of working with narcissistic adaptations in the therapy room and learn how to use these challenges to better understand and support clients.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- Therapists and healthcare professionals.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- Deepen understanding of this complex issue.
RECORDING
This event will be recorded and you can use the ticket function to pre-purchase the recording before the event. This will be useful for colleagues who are not able to attend the event live and also for those who attend the event live and want to watch it again.
ZOOM
This event will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform where we will use our cameras and microphones to interact with each other as a group.
SELF-SELECT FEE
The self-select fee is a radical inclusion policy to open learning for all colleagues. The guide price for this event is £20.00, however, we appreciate that income varies greatly in different locations and circumstances. Please contribute what you can to help us maintain inclusive professional training.
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All the colleagues at ONLINEVENTS and the presenters we collaborate with are committed to working in a manner consistent with the BACP Ethical Framework, which can be accessed on the link below. When registering for this event you are agreeing to be present and interact in a manner that is consistent with this Framework.
Jeremy Sachs
Jeremy Sachs is an integrative psychotherapist, lecturer, and writer specialising in trauma recovery, sexual violence healing, and intersectional approaches to mental health. With over a decade of experience, he has focused on supporting male survivors of sexual abuse and creating inclusive therapeutic programmes for trans and non-binary individuals. For six years, he led SurvivorsUK’s group programmes and continues to develop new therapeutic groups to address diverse client needs.
In addition to his clinical practice, Jeremy contributes to psychologically informed research. As a freelance consultant and has worked with organisations such as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Movember, and Younger Lives. He lectures at the London Diploma for Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy and has been a guest lecturer at The Tavistock Relationships, among other institutions. His writing has been published in ‘BACP Private Practice Journal’, ‘Therapy Today’, and ‘Happiful Magazine’, and he has served on the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Research Committee.
Jeremy is a trustee at Wellbeing Scotland, a charity providing trauma-informed support to individuals and communities affected by abuse, neglect, and adversity. He is also the host and producer of ‘The Trauma Talks’ podcast and the author of ‘An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Their Allies: Masculinity Reconnected’, which will be published by Routledge, released July 2025. He is currently working on his second book. From London and currently based in Glasgow, Scotland, Jeremy runs a private practice and delivers training and talks across the UK and internationally.
Website | www.jeremysachs.com
X | @JeremySachs_
LinkedIn | Jeremy Sachs
