Personality and the Alchemy of Therapeutic Change with Nancy McWilliams, PhD

Nancy McWilliams, PhD, is a pioneer in the field of psychoanalytic/psychodynamics. Her genuine curiosity for trying to understand and help people has led to a rich, 50-year career.
In this conversation, Nancy shares learnings from her research in the field of complex trauma and profound lessons from clients who have opened up their worlds to her.
Reflecting on the changing landscape of psychotherapeutic approaches, and her objections to the “so-called evidence-based treatments”, she highlights the humanity in the psychotherapeutic relationship: meeting the clients where they are. “You have to tolerate uncertainty and not knowing - a kind of moral equality with the patient, where we’re figuring it out together. I have to learn from you; I’m not here to apply something to you.”
About Nancy McWilliams:
Nancy McWilliams, PhD, is a renowned psychoanalytic psychotherapist, professor, and author. Nancy teaches psychoanalytic theory and therapy at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers--The State University of New Jersey. She is also a senior analyst with the Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New Jersey and the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis. Nacy’s influential book, Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, is a response to the significant change of direction of the DSM IV and has become a standard text in many training programs for psychotherapists in the United States and abroad.
Learn More:
Nancy McWilliams, PhD, ABPP Psychoanalytic Diagnosis Text
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[@elizabethking4589]

Thank you for this beautiful interview, that oozes with wisdom, intelligence and compassion. Such a different approach to Sam Vaknin, the alleged expert on Narcissism and psychopathy, who professes the extinction of these groups.

[@Benjaminpyatt]

Great interview, Nancy is a wealth of knowledge

[@anonymousprivate6814]

Thank you so much. I am late diagnosed autistic female with undiagnosed CPTSD from UK. This was really insightful and helpful.

[@tatianabelikh2855]

Amazing conversation! What I appreciate the most is how much Nancy has of a human to human approach.

[@kubu79]

She's Amazing. Love her books!❤

[@MargueriteGiumarra-kt9bd]

Nancy saved my life no more psychosis lifetime of neurosis Best donates gallons of blood remakable Thank you Nancy you look the same ahhh stability felt you had most stable person I ever met Thank You

[@lucysweeney8347]

Thank you both.This was very helpful and I learned lots.I am reassured to hear from such a combined trustworthy source that trusting our gut instinct is still ,in 2024 a solid way to go. Thanks again.

[@kehindebrown8933]

I love Nancy

[@gabrielmello3476]

Such a great therapist.

[@ketantailor6059]

Thank you for this thoughtful discussion on trauma.

[@SimianShakenspere-qx1tr]

This is the future. This is a meditation. We're here. Mental freedom.

[@carrieanneartsco]

People with vocal fry and affectation don’t make great interviewers. Nancy McWilliams is a gift

[@danielmeixner7125]

I wouldn't mind the vocal fry if she wasn't so inane. Every other comment is "Oh I'm so glad you mentioned that" or some other species of modern empty "validation" therapy language. There's nothing validating about repeating a few key phrases your interviewee used verbatim.

[@SylviabombsmithUjhy75bd34]

So good...

[@Dd94949]

In eft they use the line of questioning, if you didn't use (denfense) what would happen? And then? And then? And then? And the final answer is usually I'd be alone/abandoned/rejected.

[@aubreyj.tennant1123]

29:03 How (the academic paradigm is taking over the human process with insufficient respect for clinicians accumulated experience) Now add to that the pharmacological industry influence in academia and you have a perfect storm. Is it any wonder why patient/clients lack trust in a system with narcissistic proclivities. Silos to be removed! Great conversation. Thank you, 😊💪👍

[@Aka47xxx]

DID may be true in the severely traumatised. The issue is that we often see it in those with no trauma or minimal trauma history, and that's why there is doubt over the likelihood of minimal trauma causing such an extreme reaction, or 'DID'.

[@borki4]

great writer on psychotherapy techniques and assessment. sad to see her defend a completely bogus condition like DID

[@lgfish5337]

I think its really unkind and inappropriate for folks to comment about the interviewers voice.. did find it odd that she didnt seem to have heard about drama triangle (plus) roles , but perhaps that was an effort to give the audience a way in. Separatley.. i do think, regarding the non responsive bystander role, that while projectice, clients are often projecting past mental heath providers , as well as or instead of the original bystander in their family

[@SylviabombsmithUjhy75bd34]

The interviewer comes off as a bit un-authentic at times, just her prosody and use of counselling lingo platitudes. Whereas Nancy appers totally authentic and uses very different language...