Three Part live Course

Perfectionist Parents

Parental Narcissism and its Effects on Parent-Child Attachment

With Thomas Harms
Mondays, 2/9/16 February 2026 at 19h - 20h UK time
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Click the image above to view the course introduction video. 

Narcissistic behaviours are often survival strategies developed in harsh environments and they represent the best coping mechanisms individuals could create to navigate their reality. These dynamics playing out in the parent-child relationship, however, can have a profound impact on the child’s development. 

In this course psychologist and parent-baby psychotherapist Thomas Harms will demonstrate how to work with parents who show traits of perfectionism, self-centredness or even narcissism in the relationship with their children. We will learn what characterises these personality traits, how they affect the parent-child relationship and how the therapist can meet the resistance narcissistic patterns can pose in the therapeutic context. 
Thomas Harms, is a psychologist, body-psychotherapist and parent-baby therapist who has been working in the field of attachment oriented body-psychotherapy with adults, babies and parents for over 35 years. He is best known for his "Emotional First Aid" a therapeutic intervention method for early parent-child relational crises. 

In this course, Thomas will introduce us to:

  • developmental traumatisation and narcissistic personality traits
  • the narcissistic process in the context of the parent-child relationship
  • the "dilemma" of symbiotic entanglement of egocentric parents with their children
  • narcissistic attitudes and belief systems as obstacles in trauma-integrative work with parents and babies
  • counter-transference and collusion in the work with egocentric parents
  • therapeutic tools for the work with parents, babies and toddlers

Thomas Harms

COURSE CONTENT

module one

The Developmental Background of Egocentric Ways of Parenting

Monday, 2 February 2026 at 19h UK time
Narcissistic behavioural patterns develop as coping mechanisms individuals create to navigate their often harsh reality, helping them to stabilise in an unstable world. 

In this class, Thomas will explain the origin of narcissistic traits and show how narcissistic individuals focus on maintaining a specific image or appearance as a source of comfort and security - often disconnected from their true emotions and needs.

module two

The Narcissistic Process in the Child-Parent Relationship

Monday, 9 February 2026 at 19h UK time
Perfectionist parents who are fixated on idealised images may struggle to bond with their real children. This can create emotional distance and reduce the child’s sense of security.

In this course module, we will look at  the inner dynamics of perfectionists parents and their relationship with the baby, narcissism and the postpartum crisis and the effects on the child’s development.

module three

Tools for Working with Narcissistic Themes in Parent-Baby Therapy

Monday, 16 February 2026 at 19h UK time
While looking for support in the relationship with their child, parents with narcissistic traits may hinder the therapeutic process due to their extreme sensitivity to what they experience as criticism as well as the discrepancy between self-perception and reality. 

In this last module, Thomas will give an overview of the possible dynamics between perfectionist parents and therapist.  We will learn about therapeutic options that combine safety, clarity, and resonance so that the client(s) can feel understood and connected. 
Why this course?
  • Entry/intermediate level
  • Three 60 minute classes
  • Power Point Presentations
  • Q and A with presenter
  • Life long access to recordings
  • Certificate of Attendance on request

who can this benefit

  • Therapists working with babies and their families
  • Educators who want to emotionally support children
  • Parents who want to deepen their understanding of their relationship with their children

learning outcomes

  • Gain an understanding of narcissistic personality traits in the context of the parent-child relationship
  • Learn about the impact of perfectionism, self-centredness and narcissism on child development
  • Gain an insight into narcissistic attitudes and belief systems as obstacles in trauma-integrative work with parents and babies
  • Learn about therapeutic tools 

Do you live in a low income country compared to the UK? Contact us for possible scholarships.

join course

£70
One off payment
Includes :
  • Access to live course sessions
  • Life  time access to course content
  • Certificate of Attendance on request

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Includes :
  • Access to live course sessions
  • Life Time Access Course Recordings
  • Access to all our Live and Recorded classes for 1 year
  • Access to Monthly Support Groups
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