I have read SOME of the posts here, and although I agree with some viewpoints on Sam Vaknin, I have to dissent. He himself does purport to be an expert on the issues of narcissism/psychopath just by being himself, which in fact may give him creditably. Just because he doesn't have all the creditably issued by a college with a signature and seal doesn't mean he is a fraud. Colleges are not all they are cracked up to be these days, neither are some counselors who have "papers." Who better to know a psychopath, narc, sadist, etc than the one that is. I am reminded of the story of the guy who the movie, Catch Me if You Can, was based off of. In the end, this man worked with law enforcement to help hunt down future crooks because he himself new the mental pathways and tricks. Something an honest, God-fearing man or woman wouldn't necessary be wise to.
Sam Vaknin lives in his own grandiose world, yes, but he has helped me see the web of lies and illusions I've been in, starting with my own father then to two subsequent marriages and divorces from such men. At least he does help others, in his weird twisted way, yes, none the less it has been eye-opening. His advice to on "no contact" with the Narc is keeping me steady from going back with his attempts to correspond offer gifts,etc. Sam is spot on with that! So please, if anything that should be said here, is that you SHOULDN'T through the baby out with the bathwater.