Narcissist or Not? Understanding Personality Disorders in Divorce

Описание: In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, is joined by Dr. Kalima Charway, Ph.D., L.S.S.P., L.P., to unpack one of the most common claims heard in therapy and divorce conversations: “My ex is a narcissist.” Dr. Charway, who conducts court-ordered psychological evaluations, explains why personality disorders are actually rare, affecting only a small percentage of the population, and why diagnosing them requires far more than noticing a few difficult traits.

Together, they explore what clinicians really look for—patterns like lack of empathy, a strong need for admiration, and grandiosity—while emphasizing that people exist on a spectrum and may show behaviors without meeting full diagnostic criteria. They also discuss why consistent, pervasive patterns across time and relationships matter in a real diagnosis, how personality disorders may develop, and what parents can do if they’re worried about this dynamic affecting their child.

Rather than focusing on labels, Michael and Dr. Charway share practical ways to protect your child’s well-being: creating stability in your home, keeping communication open and age-appropriate, and focusing on what’s actually within your control. This episode brings clarity, nuance, and practical guidance to a topic that’s can bring about many questions.

If this episode helped you think differently about this topic, please rate and review the podcast so more families can find this support.