Personality Couch

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complex and dark characteristics of malignant narcissism, exploring its origins, characteristics, and using examples from popular culture, particularly the film 'American Psycho'. Citing Eric Fromm’s original work on defining evil, we discuss his triad of: necrophilious orientation, incestuous symbiosis, and ma...

In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the tricky topic of communal narcissism, exploring its characteristics, behaviors, and the environments in which these individuals thrive. We discuss the distinction between agentic and communal traits, the illusion of selflessness, and how communal narcissists often deceive themselves and others. We further highlight ...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex world of narcissism, focusing on its various subtypes. We unpack grandiose narcissism, its characteristics, as well as fun names in history. Our conversation transitions to communal narcissism, highlighting its deceptive nature and how it can manifest in social settings and religious communities. Next, we ...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of pathological narcissism, exploring its various expressions, including covert, overt, grandiose, and vulnerable narcissism. We discuss how these themes of overt and covert narcissism appear in all narcissistic individuals, as do grandiose and vulnerable themes. We articulate how covert narcissism...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). We explore the historical origins of narcissism, the DSM criteria for diagnosing NPD, and the key characteristics of individuals with this disorder, including a lack of empathy and pervasive envy. Our conversation highlights the roots, char...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the 5 major signs of pathological narcissism, as well as 3 bonus invisible signs of narcissism. We explore warning signs of pride, superiority, vanity, and inauthenticity (among others!), providing insights into how these traits manifest in behavior and relationships. We also explore how anger and lack of empathy manif...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) delve into the complexities of narcissism, exploring its cultural labeling, the distinction between pathological and trait narcissism, and its development from infancy. We discuss the importance of understanding narcissism in contemporary society, the confusion surrounding its definition, and how it manifests in all personali...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the cultural and clinical trends of 2024, focusing on global unrest, political polarization, re-examining power dynamics, and the ongoing mental health crisis. We discuss the impact of trauma awareness and the complexities of the victim mentality, as well as state-specific mental health trends revealed through recent ...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we continue to explore the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), particularly focusing on the lesser-known subtype: Quiet BPD. We delve into the historical origins of the term 'borderline,' discuss the various subtypes of BPD, and highlight the differences between Quiet and Noisy BPD. The conversation also touches on the lack of recent empirical research on Quiet BP...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we dive into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment, in particular, the healing power of the invisible dynamics in therapy. We discuss the importance of motivation and insight in recovery for BPD, and the significance of the therapeutic relationship. The conversation emphasizes that while BPD is treatable, the journey is often non-linear and requires act...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), focusing on the themes of suicidal ideation and self-harm. We explore the DSM criteria for BPD, the motivations behind self-harming behaviors, and the stigma associated with these actions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional pain experienced by individuals with BPD and the ...

In our second episode of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) series, we discuss how this condition manifests in relationships and clinical practice. We explore the pervasive patterns of instability, fear of abandonment, and the role of attachment theory in understanding BPD, while also touching on psychosis and dissociation. Our conversation highlights the challenges faced by individuals with BPD in their relationships and th...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We discuss the stigma and misinformation surrounding BPD, the media's misrepresentation of the disorder, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of its symptoms and diagnosis. The conversation highlights the emotional experiences of individuals with BPD, the criteria for diagnosis, and the importance of r...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss common myths surrounding therapy and therapists. We debunk misconceptions about therapists being perfect, the necessity of shared experiences for effective therapy, and the idea that therapists are always analyzing everyone. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, the reality of therapists' personal struggles, and the motivations behind choosing a career in...

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the drama triangle, a psychological model that explains interpersonal conflict through three roles: the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. We explore the historical context of the drama triangle, its origins in transactional analysis, and how these roles manifest in relationships, particularly in the context of personality disorders. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of re...

In this episode, we discuss how we diagnose personality disorders as licensed professionals in clinical practice. Personality data is often observed as early as the initial contact for treatment. Once treatment begins, we engage in a "meta process" of observing what's going on inside ourselves as professionals, as well as the dynamic in the room. Because of the nuances and complexities of diagnosing personality disorders, psycholog...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss four trends we have observed in the post-pandemic world: collective trauma, mental health diagnoses as identity labels, over-identification with neurodivergence, and self-diagnosing. We explore the impact of the pandemic on mental health, including increased anxiety and hostility. We also discuss how mental health diagnoses have become identity labels, providing a sense o...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we provide an overview of the Enneagram personality typology as a growth tool instead of a personality "box" or label. We discuss our personal journeys with the Enneagram, our typologies, and how we use this non-diagnostic tool in clinical practice. By exploring the different centers of intelligence (body, head, and heart) and the three types within each center, we highlight the key...

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss personality darkness and specifically focus on personalities that are prone to violence and extreme behavior. We also discuss two important research studies, the Milgram study and the Stanford prison experiment, that shed light on the capacity for humans to engage in harmful acts. We then delve into the different personality types within Cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, ...