1.5 Hours / 1.5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on The Overlap between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Psychopathy is presented by Carrie Barron, MD, in partnership with Society for the Prevention of Disorders of Aggression.

Many people are impacted by a person with psychopathy or narcissistic personality disorder. This program covers the diagnostic criteria for these two conditions, how they overlap, and the possible feelings and concerns elicited in those with whom they are deeply involved or who cross their path. Topics include the importance of correct diagnosis for treatment and prognosis, management versus remediation and separation, and adaptation and coping for families and loved ones. The program discusses how to identify three traits common to both psychopathy and narcissism, one way to manage psychopathy, and one way that loved ones can help themselves.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe three traits common to both Psychopathy and Narcissism
  • 2 Describe one way to manage psychopathy
  • 3 Describe two ways loved ones can help themselves as well as the person with the condition.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals—including psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other helping professionals—who are interested in understanding psychopathy and narcissistic personality disorder and their impact on relationships and treatment. The content is particularly relevant for those specializing in clinical psychology, counseling, mental health, family therapy, and personality disorders. Psychiatrists are excluded from the intended audience.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Social Workers
    • Counselors
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Other helping professionals in mental health fields (excluding psychiatrists)

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with psychopathy and narcissistic personality disorder.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to working with clients impacted by psychopathy or narcissistic personality disorder and seek foundational knowledge of diagnostic criteria, overlapping traits, and basic management strategies.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience identifying and supporting individuals and families affected by these conditions and are looking to deepen their understanding of diagnosis, management versus remediation, and effective coping strategies for loved ones.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners typically work in outpatient and community-based environments that provide assessment, psychotherapy, and support to individuals, couples, and families navigating high-conflict dynamics and personality-driven risks. They operate within structured clinical and agency systems that coordinate care, safety planning, psychoeducation, and collaboration with legal, educational, and social services, including delivery via secure telehealth.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Private outpatient practice
    • Group behavioral health clinic
    • Community mental health center
    • Family and couples therapy agency
    • University or school counseling center
    • Forensic or court-involved programs
    • Telehealth-based counseling services

Presented By

Carrie Barron, MD Director of the Creativity for Resilience at Dell Medical School

Carrie Barron, Director of the Creativity for Resilience at Dell Medical School in Austin, is an Associate Professor of Medical Education, a board-certified psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and a Positive Psychology Coach. In addition to her book The Creativity Cure, Carrie has published in several peer-reviewed journals and the Harvard Business Review. Last year, the Hektoen Journal of Medical Humanities awarded her story the Grand Prize. Carrie has been interviewed by many journalists in podcasts, radio shows, magazines and newspapers. She maintains a blog that has had over four million readers on Psychology Today where she covers a variety of well-being topics.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Carrie Barron, MD

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.