Personality disorders can present unique challenges in clinical practice due to their pervasive and enduring nature. This book explores the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of personality disorders such as borderline, narcissistic, and avoidant types. It discusses therapeutic techniques including dialectical behavior therapy, schema therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. The book emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance, managing countertransference, and establishing boundaries. Case examples highlight how to adapt treatment to complex and resistant presentations.
Maxine Doyle is a clinical expert in personality pathology with over 15 years of therapeutic and teaching experience. She is known for her work in dialectical behavior therapy and schema therapy within forensic and psychiatric settings. Her research explores the impact of early attachment, identity instability, and emotional dysregulation. She regularly delivers workshops on managing complex patient presentations in clinical practice. Her interests include borderline personality disorder, therapeutic alliance, and long-term psychodynamic treatment.