Therapy
Psychotherapy for personality disorders
For private patients and self-payers
Personality disorders involve deep-rooted patterns of behavior, thinking and experience that have existed for a long time. They strongly influence how a person perceives themselves, regulates feelings and relates to other people. These rigid patterns often lead to recurring conflicts in everyday life, at work or in relationships, and to a high level of inner distress.
At Psymondo, I offer you well-founded support to understand these schemas, make them more flexible, and develop workable ways of dealing with yourself and others.
A brief overview of the different personality disorders
In clinical psychology, personality disorders are typically divided into three main groups (clusters):
Cluster A: "Odd / eccentric"
- Paranoid personality disorder: Persistent, deep-seated mistrust of others; statements or actions are quickly interpreted as hostile or hurtful.
- Schizoid personality disorder: Withdrawal from social contact, limited emotional expression and a strong need for distance.
- Schizotypal personality disorder: Peculiar thinking, behavior or appearance; often accompanied by social anxiety and unusual perceptions.
Cluster B: "Dramatic / emotional / erratic"
- Borderline / emotionally unstable personality disorder: Strong mood swings, emotional instability, impulsivity, fear of abandonment and a fluctuating self-image.
- Narcissistic personality disorder: A pronounced need for admiration, sensitivity to criticism and difficulties with empathy, often as protection against deep insecurity.
- Histrionic personality disorder: A strong need to be the center of attention, accompanied by theatrical or rapidly changing emotional expression.
- Antisocial personality disorder: Repeated disregard for social norms, the rights of others and rules, together with increased impulsivity.
Cluster C: "Anxious / fearful"
- Avoidant personality disorder: Pronounced feelings of inferiority, extreme sensitivity to rejection and resulting social withdrawal.
- Dependent personality disorder: An excessive need to be cared for, great difficulty making your own decisions and fear of being alone.
- Anankastic (obsessive-compulsive) personality disorder: An excessive striving for perfectionism, control, order and rigidity in your own principles.
The pillars of my treatment for personality disorders
Psychotherapy for personality disorders requires an integrative, long-term approach.
1. Psychoeducation & the therapeutic relationship
Together, we build an understanding of how your personal patterns developed, often as earlier protective mechanisms or adaptations to stressful life experiences.
- Understanding: Recognizing triggers and recurring relationship patterns.
- Relief: Understanding that these behaviors are patterns that can change, not an unchangeable core of your personality.
2. Schema therapy & cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
We identify deeper core beliefs ("schemas") and learn workable alternatives to rigid patterns of behavior.
- Emotion regulation: Better awareness and control of intense feelings such as anger, fear or shame.
- Cognitive restructuring: Questioning extreme thinking (for example black-and-white thinking) and automatic negative assumptions.
3. Focus on resources & transfer to everyday life
We strengthen your healthy parts and gradually try out new behaviors, both in the protected setting and in your everyday life.
Not sure which option fits your concern? Feel free to contact me for a personal first appointment.
Goals for your therapy at Psymondo
Every person and every presentation is unique, so the specific goals differ and can be very varied:
- Emotion regulation & stability: Learning strategies for dealing with intense or rapidly changing emotional states
- Self-worth & identity: Building a stable self-image, developing self-compassion and reducing self-devaluation
- Relationships & interaction: Improving communication skills, breaking conflict patterns and setting healthy boundaries
- Flexibility in everyday life: Reducing rigid ways of thinking and behaving in favor of more adaptability in challenging situations
- Potential & self-determination: Recognizing your own needs and values and building an active, self-determined life
Therapeutic approach at Psymondo
At Psymondo, you will find a trusting, protected setting in which you can work on your personal issues, free of judgment. Changing long-standing patterns takes time and patience. We work step by step and at your own pace, to reach lasting clarity and stability.
Would you like to take the first step, or do you have questions about treatment? Feel free to get in touch for a personal first appointment.
Sessions are available in German and English.