Personality disorders are classified as a type of psychiatric disorder in which an individual’s personal traits and how they feel, think, and behave are greatly different from what is generally acceptable in their community. These patterns are persistent, rigid, and cross-contextual, resulting in considerable distress or interference with personal, social, professional, and occupational functioning.
Personality disorders differ from other types of ‘state’ changes in behavior, which may be due to specific circumstances in one’s life, as personality disorders are innate and typically manifest themselves in adolescence or early adulthood. Online counseling services can provide a convenient and accessible way for individuals with personality disorders to receive specialized therapy, offering support and treatment tailored to their unique needs.
It is thus imperative to accept that personality disorders require a more specialized therapy because of the nature of these disorders. Gentle interventions may not be enough, as patients suffering from personality disorders must receive individual treatment strategies, corresponding to certain pathologic models and psychological abnormalities. Specific therapy entails the recognition of the disorder, proper management techniques, and usage of a particular tactic to alter negative patterns of behavior in stages.
Role of Therapist in Treating Personality Disorder
Here are some important roles of therapist in treating personality disorder:
1. Specialized Training
The professionals diagnosing and treating personality disorders, known as therapists for personality disorder, complete rigorous training and have vast knowledge about these disorders. Ordinarily, these persons possess a master’s degree in psychology, psychiatry, social work, or counseling.
After completing their coursework, they go through personality disorder training, which entails college coursework and clinical experience. Many therapists also gain expertise in online trauma therapy, which is particularly beneficial for clients dealing with trauma-related issues alongside their personality disorders, providing accessible and flexible treatment options.
2. Therapeutic Approach
Treating personality disorders therefore requires the use of multiple therapeutic methods appropriate for a given patient. One of the most used techniques is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which aims to alter negative thought processes and behaviors. CBT assists people to think and behave more positively, hence decreasing the manifestations of the personality disorders.
In addition to in-person sessions, online depression therapy can also be an effective tool for individuals who struggle with personality disorders. Online platforms provide accessible and flexible options for receiving CBT, making it easier for patients to engage in consistent treatment and benefit from therapeutic interventions.
Another method is Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT, which is especially useful when treating the patient with Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT incorporates CBT and mindfulness; it educates clients on how to manage emotions, build relationships, and handle stress. Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on the unconscious processes and personal experiences that shape an individual’s present self-functioning.
This approach can help to understand the origins of personality disorders and bring a permanent positive change. A therapist for personality disorder will be skilled in these methods, including self-esteem therapy, tailoring treatment to the specific needs of each individual to facilitate effective and lasting outcomes.
3. Treatment Goals
Psychotherapy for personality disorders is intended to address numerous important objectives focusing on personal enhancement of the individual’s mental state and quality of life. There are several aims, but one of the most important ones is symptom relief.
A therapist for personality disorder focuses on facilitating people to manage conditions that interfere with their functioning like extreme changes in mood, mindless actions, or irrational beliefs through individual psychotherapy. This, in turn, can also be a way for a person to almost reduce their levels of distress and impairment, which will have positive effects on their daily lives.
Finding the Right Therapist
Therapists play a crucial role in the treatment of personality disorders, and, therefore, selecting an appropriate therapist for personality disorder is one of the most important decisions. When choosing a therapeutic modality, there are some points to ponder in order to have the most beneficial result of therapeutic intervention.
One important consideration is the availability of online therapy services. These services offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing individuals to receive specialized care from the comfort of their own homes, which can be particularly beneficial for those with personality disorders who may have difficulties with traditional in-person therapy settings.
As one of the key factors, experience is a powerful weapon that plays an important role when selecting a therapist for personality disorder. Another important factor that should be considered is the exposure that the chosen therapists have with the PDs in focus. It has been observed that a practitioner with more experience will be able to decipher many aspects of these conditions that are otherwise not so easily comprehensible, which adds to the potential for making the treatment more effective.
There is also a need to underscore the importance of specialization in this regard. There is a reason why at least ten types of personality disorders exist, and therapists who are experienced in dealing with personality disorders generally will be able to identify the special pitfalls of the combination and the methods that are most advisable.
Specialization may also refer to the expertise in different types of personality disorders, for instance, Borderline Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder, ensuring that the courses of action taken match the disorder in question.
Additionally, with the increasing accessibility of online anxiety treatment, therapists can provide specialized care remotely, allowing individuals to receive the tailored support they need from the comfort of their own homes. This approach is particularly beneficial for those who may have comorbid conditions like anxiety alongside their personality disorder.
Consult VPM Therapists for Personality Disorder
1. Dr. Yancey
Dr. Yancey is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Old Dominion. She is a member of the Virginia Board of Counseling. She holds expertise in Personality Disorders, General Mental Health Issues, Autism, Child Behavioral Concerns, and more.
2. Dr. Kennita Murray
Dr. Kennita Murray holds the PG Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and other certificates like Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing, and more. She holds expertise in personality disorder, mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, ADHD, and PTSD.
