by Christine Hammond on March 16, 2019
Have you ever been around someone and immediately felt uncomfortable? Almost as if they could see right through you? But then, within minutes, the person has disarmed you and despite the initial feeling of discomfort, you engage with them. Bit by bit they seem to know exactly what needs to be said or done to… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on February 3, 2019
On December 19, 2018, Terry Strawn a decorated Florida Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy, shot and killed his wife and 6-year-old granddaughter at his home. Then he drove to his daughter’s house, killed her, and called 911, sending the officers to the school where he worked. When the police arrived, he committed suicide in front of… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on February 1, 2019
As Monique recounted the abuse from her childhood, it became apparent that the abuse from her mother was not typical. While most abusers follow a pattern of tension building, incident, reconciliation, and calm, her mom did not. The tension-building phase was constant with no break or relief from the ensuing harm. The incidents came out… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 11, 2019
After meeting his new boss for the first time, Donald was impressed. Here was someone who ran his own business, was highly successful, knew nearly everyone in town, had considerable power and had enormous influence. He was charming, decisive, domineering, unfeeling, harsh, and intimidating. At first, Donald admired his boss. But then he had a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 15, 2018
“This is ridiculous,” James said after witnessing his soon-to-be ex-wife losing it because she didn’t get her way. She sounded like a 2-year-old who didn’t get a piece of candy with the same level of irrational reasoning. Her arms were flinging around, she threw a few small objects, her voice raised a couple of octaves,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
At first glance, a sociopath may be difficult to identify at work. They generally don’t draw attention because they have no internal need to socialize or interact with co-workers unless there is something to be gained from the experience. When they choose to intermingle, they present as charming, intelligent, balanced, sexy, and yet seemingly harmless…. (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Some of the most stimulating therapy sessions are from clients who have Anti-Social Personality Disorder. There is never a dull moment. Their stories are fascinating and fabricated, their perception is unnerving and improbable, and their behavior is eccentric and luring. But with them comes the unpredictability of the next session and the likelihood that not… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
It is apparent that something is out of sorts. At first, the person who was extremely charming, almost too good to be real has now become intimidating, demanding, and even threatening. The pathological lying over trivial matters, even when caught, can no longer be ignored. They are unreliable, unrelenting, irresponsible, disruptive, outrageous, traumatizing, insincere, unrepentant,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
One of the more useful techniques to develop is a basic understanding of discerning liars. While no too look the same, there are some general identification features. Some of which are utilized on lie detector tests. However, with every rule there is an exception. This methodology is not useful when dealing with pathological liars such… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
No matter what the profession, if a boss has this personality combination, they are terrifying. The Dark Tetrad is composed of four parts: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Sadism is the addition to the Dark Triad which has narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. For either condition, this means a person possesses the characteristics of all of… (more…)