Personality Disorder Spectrum
The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center offers schema therapy for Personality Disorders. Our approach to therapy for personality disorders is compassionate, practical and goal-oriented and will help you make positive changes in your life. Through our online therapy program, we serve people anywhere in California including San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange County and other parts of California.
A personality disorder occurs on a spectrum from mild to moderate, where it is more of a personality style that may interfere with your life at times. Or it can be severe when it manifests in a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking and behaving. In general, people with personality disorders have difficulty relating to others and handling stress and/or have a self-image that varies depending on the situation and that differs from how others perceive them. This can causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work and school.
In some cases, you may not realize that you have a personality disorder because your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you. You may blame others for the challenges you face.
About 10% of people have a personality disorder. Personality disorders usually begin in the teenage years or early adulthood. There are many types of personality disorders. Some types may become less obvious throughout middle age.
Common Types of Personality Disorders
Below are some types of personality disorders we treat with schema therapy, a more intensive form of cognitive behavior therapy:
Obsessive Compulsive Personality – Perfectionism, rigidity, and stubbornness
Avoidant Personality – Avoidance of interpersonal contact due to fear of rejection
Borderline Personality – Inner emptiness, fear of being abandoned in relationships, unstable relationships, problems controlling emotions, and impulsive behavior
Narcissistic Personality – Need to be admired, lack of empathy, and an inflated view of self-worth (called grandiosity)
Dependent Personality – Submissiveness and dependency (due to a need to be taken care of)
Schema Therapy for Personality Disorders
Schema therapy is the therapy of choice for personality disorders along the personality spectrum. Schema Therapy is an integrative approach, founded on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and then expanded to include techniques and concepts from other psychotherapies. Schema therapy can help you to change entrenched, self-defeating life patterns – or schemas — using cognitive, behavioral, and emotion-focused techniques. Schema therapy focuses on the relationship with the therapist, daily life outside of therapy, and the childhood experiences that led to the development of maladaptive schemas. Read more about schema therapy here.
How to Get Help for Personality Disorders
The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley specializes in therapy and counseling for personality disorders. We serve the Silicon Valley communities of San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange County, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Roseville, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Los Altos and anywhere in California. Click to send an email for more information on how we can help you using schema therapy.