Personality disorders present some of the most challenging and complex clinical presentations in mental health treatment. This new training equips clinicians with a practical, structured approach to understanding, assessing, and treating personality disorders using current best practices from evidence-based modalities. Participants will learn to differentiate among the ten DSM-5-TR personality disorders, conduct efficient yet comprehensive assessments, rule out commonly confused conditions such as bipolar disorder or PTSD, and communicate diagnoses with clarity and compassion.
The course emphasizes real-world clinical application through case examples, differential diagnosis strategies, and intervention planning using DBT, RO-DBT, CBT, IPT, and schema-informed techniques. Attention is given to relational dynamics, countertransference, resistance, and the emotional intensity often associated with personality disorders.
https://frumtherapist.com/workshops/UnmaskingComplexity3/viewUnmasking Complexity:
Assessing, Treating, and Conceptualizing Personality Disorders (Recorded)
Previously Recorded
Presenter: Elan Javanfard
Course Length: 2 Hours
This workshop Offers 2 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.
Personality disorders present some of the most challenging and complex clinical presentations in mental health treatment. This new training equips clinicians with a practical, structured approach to understanding, assessing, and treating personality disorders using current best practices from evidence-based modalities. Participants will learn to differentiate among the ten DSM-5-TR personality disorders, conduct efficient yet comprehensive assessments, rule out commonly confused conditions such as bipolar disorder or PTSD, and communicate diagnoses with clarity and compassion.
The course emphasizes real-world clinical application through case examples, differential diagnosis strategies, and intervention planning using DBT, RO-DBT, CBT, IPT, and schema-informed techniques. Attention is given to relational dynamics, countertransference, resistance, and the emotional intensity often associated with personality disorders.
0:00–0:10 (10 min) – Welcome, Overview, and Learning Goals
• Brief introduction to PDs in clinical practice
• Warm-up: Quick pair-share—“What PD presentations challenge you most?”
0:10–0:30 (20 min) – Understanding the Landscape of Personality Disorders
• DSM-5-TR structure, clusters, defining features
• Overview chart of the 10 PDs
• Brief case vignette: Identify traits in a sample presentation
0:30–0:55 (25 min) – Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
• How to conduct a focused PD assessment at intake
• Key tools (e.g., SCID-5-PD) and collateral strategies
• Major differential pitfalls
• Special focus: differentiating Borderline PD from Bipolar I/II
• Mini-exercise: In small groups, determine rule-outs for a complex vignette
0:55–1:20 (25 min) – Communicating the Diagnosis & Working with Comorbidities
• Strategies for delivering PD diagnoses with clarity and compassion
• Addressing shame, hopelessness, and resistance
• Common comorbidities (PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use)
• How comorbidities complicate diagnosis and treatment planning
1:20–1:50 (30 min) – Evidence-Based Interventions for Personality Disorders
• Overview of core modalities:
– DBT (emotion regulation, suicidal/self-harm risk)
– RO-DBT (overcontrol patterns)
– CBT & Schema-informed interventions
– IPT for relational instability
• Matching interventions to PD profiles
• Therapist stance, boundaries, and managing countertransference
1:50–2:00 (10 min) – Role Play Demonstration, Q&A, and Closing
• Role-play: Delivering a PD diagnosis or setting a limit
• Final takeaways
• Q&A
