Photo of Hart Caplan, Counsellor in V6H, BC
Hart Caplan
Counsellor, BHons, BEd, MA, MC, RCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Vancouver, BC V6H
My fundamental orientation to counselling is existential. At its heart, this approach doesn't distinguish between cognitions (thinking) and affect (feeling) and the somatic (body). Instead, it (and I) attempt to make contact with the whole of one's being. After all, we don't refer to ourselves as "human brains" or "human bodies" but as human beings. This is why talk therapy participates in healing the body, but it also explains why attention to the body can help heal what we generally call mental illness. And in the midst of it all, feelings are the endlessly rich source of information that help connect thinking to the body.
My fundamental orientation to counselling is existential. At its heart, this approach doesn't distinguish between cognitions (thinking) and affect (feeling) and the somatic (body). Instead, it (and I) attempt to make contact with the whole of one's being. After all, we don't refer to ourselves as "human brains" or "human bodies" but as human beings. This is why talk therapy participates in healing the body, but it also explains why attention to the body can help heal what we generally call mental illness. And in the midst of it all, feelings are the endlessly rich source of information that help connect thinking to the body.
(778) 762-3428 View (778) 762-3428
Photo of Gemma Ketchen, Counsellor in V6H, BC
Gemma Ketchen
Counsellor, RPC-C
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Vancouver, BC V6H  (Online Only)
I am eager to help client's with a large variety of different needs. Whether that be relationship issues, mental health struggles, past traumas, and everything in between. I look forward to providing a safe space for my clients and to give them the tools they need to build a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
I am eager to help client's with a large variety of different needs. Whether that be relationship issues, mental health struggles, past traumas, and everything in between. I look forward to providing a safe space for my clients and to give them the tools they need to build a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
(431) 341-4104 View (431) 341-4104

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Personality Disorders Counsellors

What are the common treatment options for personality disorders?

Personality disorders are typically treated with psychotherapy, sometimes in conjunction with medication. Therapy can help people with personality disorders develop skills to tolerate difficult emotions, navigate interpersonal relationships, and solidify their sense of self. Medications can treat symptoms that co-occur with the disorder, such as depression, anger, aggression, and impulsivity.

When to seek treatment for personality disorders?

Even though treatment for personality disorders can be an uphill battle, it’s best to seek help if you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with one, because personality disorders can create substantial problems in life. Symptoms depend on the specific disorder, but overall signs of personality disorders include consistent difficulty maintaining close relationships, dramatic variations in self-esteem, and an unstable sense of identity.

How long does therapy take for personality disorders?

The timeline for treating personality disorders isn’t as clear-cut as it is for other disorders. Change can be difficult, taking from around one year to five, 10, or more. The key is finding a therapist who has extensive experience treating the relevant disorder. For example, a psychologist who specialises in narcissistic personality disorder has specific communication strategies that allow them to sustain the relationship and be more effective with narcissistic patients.

Can therapy help people with personality disorders?

Research suggests that for those who are motivated to address concerns or interpersonal conflict related to a personality disorder, therapy is far more effective than no treatment, and that most people in therapy see improvements. However, since personality disorders involve entrenched elements of identity, they are less responsive to treatment than are other mental health conditions. Finding an expert who has extensive experience working with a given personality disorder is one factor that increases the likelihood of successful treatment.