Narcissism is a continuum.
I am referring to the personality disorder, not to narcissistic traits. I believe that the only way an NPD can heal is if he experiences a severe narcissistic injury, a LIFE crisis. Forced to shed his malfunctioning defenses, a window of vulnerability is formed through which therapeutic intervention can try and sneak in. This window is very brief. The narcissist is susceptible to treatment ONLY when his defenses are down because they FAIL to secure a steady stream of narcissistic supply.