• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.45-52
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• 2022

Based on the Kohut's theory, this study carries out an investigation into the counselor's self object role in pathological narcissism. The theological understandings deal with narcissism, pathology, and self object. Narcissism and pathology can be seen as the failure of the formation of cohesive self. Early infant self, by feeling proper sympathy and love, usually forms integrated cohesive self. In other words, narcissistic personalities, when failing to receive sympathy and accommodation, can result in forming helpless and vulnerable self, which is filled with resentment. In addition, narcissistic characters are afraid of the world and maintain the grandiose image of self to protect themselves from feeling helplessness and emptiness. On the other hand, when they experience accommodation and admiration provided by self object, they can strengthen the image of grandiose self and demonstrate creative abilities as well. An infant remains as a fragmented self, when his or her relationship experience with self object is to be damaged. This study suggests the following conclusions: The counselor's self object role for pathological narcissism should be sympathetic self object so that the counselee will be able to form his or her own healthy cohesive self. Additionally, self object should play a kind role to guide infant desires for ideal models, which eventually help infants to pursue healthy ideas and maintain early states of narcissistic balances.