Areas of Practice

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

About Personality Disorders

Personality disorders may include:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
A personality disorder is a mental health condition that involves chronic disruptive patterns in thinking, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance that often impede on their sense of self and ability to maintain healthy relationships with others.
The most common personality disorders are typically Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Group Therapy
- Couples and Family Therapy

Three Common Personality Disorders

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

The hallmark symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include extreme mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions, unstable relationships, shifting self-image, chronic feelings of emptiness, fear of abandonment, explosive anger, and self-destructive behaviour.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

The hallmark symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) include exaggerated sense of self-importance, lack of empathy for others, difficulty handling criticism, sense of entitlement, arrogant behaviour, and feeling envious of others.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Defining characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) may include rigid routines and patterns of thinking, perfectionism, lack of flexibility, being preoccupied with details, extremely high standards, over-working, being judgemental, fear of failure, and issues with control.

Therapeutic Interventions for Personality Disorders

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

DBT Therapy can help treat self-destructive behaviours, such as self harm, and also helps individuals (especially those with Borderline Personality Disorder) learn skills & strategies to cope with powerful emotions, increasing emotional regulation and resilience.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help individuals with personality disorders (especially Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder & Narcissistic Personality Disorder) through identifying and challenging negative underlying beliefs and restructuring rigid thoughts to create more space for adaptive and realistic thinking patterns ultimately decreasing issues with control, perfectionism, and fear of failure.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy

EFT therapy can help individuals with personality disorders learn to structure and make sense of their emotions, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others. EFT is considered an especially effective intervention for those suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS can help individuals with personality disorders develop self-awareness & self-compassion. IFS can also help individuals (especially those with BPD) integrate parts in their internal system which have taken on extreme roles due to traumatic or adverse life experiences.