Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are a type of mental health condition in which a person has long-term patterns of behavior and thought that are unhealthy and inflexible. Personality disorders are rare and usually greatly interfere with life and cause serious problems with personal relationships and work. Generally, individuals suffering from personality disorders are socially isolated and distrustful. They may have difficulty making friends and tend to have mood swings, poor impulse control, turbulent relationships, and angry outbursts. There are a number of different personality disorders (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive) and the symptoms of each disorder are different and can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people suffering from a personality disorder do not realize they have one because their way of acting and thinking seems normal to them. No one knows what exactly causes personality disorders, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Seeing a mental health professional is an important part of treatment for individuals who have personality disorders, which often get worse without help.
Local experts in Personality Disorders
Leif Moa-Anderson (He/him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, LMHC
If you have been diagnosed with a personality disorder and have received enough treatment for individual outpatient therapy to be appropriate, I may be able to help you. I have experience helping people with Borderline Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Personality. I highly recommend at least one full round through a Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) group course, which takes six months, before individual therapy.
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Cary (Lazara) Coll
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Gain insight into your emotions, thought patterns, and actions as a means of obtaining relief from the negative impact of Personality Disorders. I utilize an eclectic approach including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
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Christopher Creaturo (he/his)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
Supervision in Mentalization Based Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.
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Dr. Uhunoma Osadolor
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
DNP, PMHNP, APRN
My expertise in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is rooted in years of focused training and practice, especially with clients facing complex emotional and relational challenges that BPD often presents. I emphasize a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to help clients manage intense emotions, develop healthier relationships, and establish a stable sense of self. I’m experienced in utilizing evidence-based treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
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Joan Laguzza, LCSW Joie PDX Counseling
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Disordered personality traits can result in maladaptive coping skills that negatively impact relationships. They can make it hard to achieve desired outcomes in life and work. I strive to create a non-judgmental space to develop better coping and more successful strategies to satisfy your needs.
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Sunya Grantham
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
I work with couples and families who are living with a loved one who is diagnosed with a personality disorder. I address the feeling of 'walking on eggshells' typically described by loved ones. I also recognize the very real fear of rejection and heightened emotional sensitivity characteristic of BPD. Therapy includes elements of DBT, developing a wise mind approach, and effective communication tools.
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Diana Oxley, Ph.D.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Diploma, CG Jung Institute Zurich; Ph.D. (Psychology), Arizona State University
I specialize in helping clients overcome defensive patterns of behavior that stem from their childhood experience and make it hard to find joy and creativity in their lives, especially through meaningful relationships.
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Jacqueline Lydston, MSW, LSWAIC (she/her/hers)
Clinical Social Work Associate
MSW
I have worked since 1989 with people struggling with borderline personality disorder.
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Evoke Therapy LLC (they, them)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MA, MFT, RYT, RM
In my practice, I use a multi-layered integrative approach to treat personality and mood disorders, adapting therapy based on the individual's unique needs and the severity of their condition. We collaborate to address complex patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. Whether focusing on enhancing self-awareness, improving relationships, managing emotions, or promoting overall growth, our goal is to achieve meaningful and sustainable changes that support your well-being.
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Henry Cameron (He/Him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I have studied, reviewed literature and blogged about the topic of adult children of narcissists (ACON) for several years now. I am moved deeply by the struggles around identity, confidence, and self acceptance that ACONS can find themselves in, as well as how adult children of alcoholics often can have similar struggles.
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