In working with a client who has a narcissistic personality disorder, the social worker most often does NOT become which of the following?

• A. the object of the client's wish for dependency
• B. a voice of reason
• C. a source of attention
• D. a target for manipulation

Answer: (A)

In narcissistic personality dynamics, the client’s behavior in relationships centers on admiration, control, and exploiting others to maintain a grandiose self-image. In therapy, this often means the social worker becomes a source of attention and a target for manipulation, as the client seeks to keep the therapist engaged and confirm their importance. A therapist can also act as a voice of reason when boundaries are set and reality testing is offered, but that role is challenging and not consistently welcomed. What the client is least likely to want is genuine dependency on the therapist; dependency would undermine the narcissist’s sense of autonomy and superiority, so the social worker does not typically become the object of the client’s wish for dependency.