What is the Best Therapy For Personality Disorder?

What Are Personality Disorders?

People with personality disorders experience lasting patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. These patterns differ significantly from what society typically expects and can cause distress, making it hard to function well in life. These disorders, which include schizotypal personality disorders and narcissistic personality disorder, usually appear during adolescence or early adulthood and can last throughout life.

Since these behaviors are deeply rooted, it can be tough to change them. However, therapy can help people manage their symptoms, improve their thinking, and build better emotional responses and relationships.

Do I Need Therapy for a Personality Disorder?

If you or a family member struggles with emotional instability or personality disorder symptoms, therapy may help. It can also be beneficial for intense mood swings or relationship difficulties. Some common signs that therapy might be needed include:

• Frequent mood swings or feelings of emptiness
• Acting impulsively or engaging in self-destructive behaviors
• Trouble maintaining stable relationships or dealing with frequent conflicts

For people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), therapy is especially important for managing emotional triggers, reducing impulsivity, and improving relationships. Therapy can help people better control their emotions and live more balanced lives.

What is the Best Therapy For Personality Disorder?

The best therapy for a personality disorder depends on the specific disorder, symptoms, and individual needs. However, the most effective therapies for personality disorders include:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Best for BPD

Focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills. Proven to reduce impulsivity and self-destructive behaviors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Best for Negative Thinking

Identifies and challenges harmful thought patterns. Helps develop healthier coping strategies.

Schema Therapy – Best for Deep-Rooted Emotional Patterns

Targets negative life patterns and replaces them with healthier beliefs. Effective for Borderline, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Dependent Personality Disorder.

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) – Best for Relationship Issues

Helps individuals understand their own emotions and others’ perspectives. Reduces impulsivity and improves social interactions.

Transference-Focused Therapy (TFP) – Best for Understanding Relationship Patterns

Uses the therapist-client relationship to identify and change harmful behaviors. Helps with self-awareness and emotional growth.

Psychodynamic Therapy – Best for Long-Term Emotional Growth

Explores unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences. Provides deep emotional healing but requires long-term commitment.

Choosing the Right Therapy:

• Struggle with emotions and impulsivity? → DBT
• Negative thought patterns? → CBT
• Deep-rooted behaviors? → Schema Therapy
• Relationship issues? → MBT or TFP
• Want to explore past trauma? → Psychodynamic Therapy

Many people benefit from a combination of therapies for the best results.

How to Find a Therapist for a Personality Disorder

Choosing the right therapist is important for effective treatment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find the right therapist:

• Research Specialization: Look for therapists who specialize in personality disorders. Some focus on disorders like BPD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. Look for a therapist trained in evidence-based treatments. Effective options include CBT, DBT, and Schema Therapy.
• Check Qualifications: Ensure that the therapist is licensed, such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or psychologist. It’s important to find someone with experience in treating personality disorders.
• Consult Online Therapy Platforms: Platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Amwell offer a wide range of therapists who specialize in personality disorders. Online therapy is especially helpful if in-person therapy isn’t an option.
• Ask for Referrals: Ask your doctor, psychiatrist, or friends for recommendations. Mental health professionals can also provide helpful referrals.

How Effective Is Therapy for Personality Disorders?

Therapy can be very effective in managing personality disorders. Research shows that 60-80% of patients see significant improvement. How well therapy works depends on:

• The individual’s motivation: People who are committed to therapy tend to see better results.
• The therapist’s expertise: A therapist with experience treating personality disorders is crucial for successful treatment.
• Consistency: Regular therapy sessions are important for long-term improvement.

Therapies like DBT are especially effective for treating BPD, helping people manage their emotions and improve their relationships.

How Does Therapy Work for Personality Disorders?

Therapy for personality disorders generally involves these steps:

• Psychological Exploration: A therapist helps individuals understand the root causes of their symptoms. This may involve examining past experiences or childhood influences.
• Skill Development: After understanding the causes, therapy focuses on building skills like emotional regulation, mindfulness, and better ways of interacting with others.
• Behavioral Change: Therapy teaches healthier coping strategies to replace harmful behaviors. This helps individuals respond to emotions in a more balanced way.

Types of Therapy for Personality Disorders

There are several types of therapy for treating personality disorders:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Especially effective for BPD, DBT teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
• Transference-Focused Therapy (TFP): This therapy helps people recognize harmful relationship patterns. It is especially useful for Cluster B personality disorders.
• Schema Therapy: Helps identify and change long-standing negative patterns of thinking and behavior.
• Talk Therapy (Individual Therapy): This approach provides a safe space to discuss feelings and behaviors. It helps individuals gain self-awareness and develop coping skills.

How Long Does Therapy Typically Take?

The length of personality disorder therapy depends on the severity of the disorder and the treatment approach. Here are typical timelines:

• Short-Term Therapy (6-12 months): For those with milder symptoms, focusing on symptom management and skill-building.
• Medium-Term Therapy (1-3 years): For people with more entrenched symptoms, involving deeper exploration and emotional work.
• Long-Term Therapy (3-5 years or more): Especially for complex disorders like BPD, focusing on comprehensive changes.

While therapy might not fully “cure” a personality disorder, it can reduce symptoms and help people live better lives. The goal is to manage symptoms, develop healthier coping skills, and improve relationships.

Can Therapy Cure a Personality Disorder?

Therapy doesn’t completely cure personality disorders. However, it can significantly reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being. The primary goal of therapy is to help individuals understand their behaviors, manage emotions, and develop healthier coping strategies.

For many people, treatment for personality disorders leads to a reduction in symptoms and better functioning in daily life. In some cases, individuals may experience significant changes in their emotional regulation, relationships, and self-perception. The degree of improvement depends on factors like:

• The individual’s commitment to therapy: People who actively participate in sessions tend to see better results. Applying learned skills outside of therapy also improves progress.
• The therapist’s expertise: Working with a therapist experienced in treating personality disorders is crucial for success.
• Consistency: Regular, long-term therapy helps reshape deeply ingrained thought patterns and behaviors.

While therapy may not completely “erase” a personality disorder, it can make managing symptoms much easier and improve overall emotional stability and relationships. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is highly effective for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It improves emotional regulation and strengthens relationships.

Where to Find the Best Personality Disorder Therapies?

Finding the right therapy is essential for managing personality disorders and improving overall well-being. Whether you seek in-person sessions, online therapy, or specialized treatment programs, the key is to find a trusted provider who understands your needs.

If you’re looking for professional, compassionate care, Scottsdale Rehab offers expert support to help you on your journey to healing. Explore our services to find the right therapy for you.