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Advances in psychotherapy of personality disorders: A research update

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Abstract

This article reviews psychotherapy studies published between 2003 and 2006 directed at psychotherapy for personality disorders (PDs). Over the past 3 years, there has been a substantial increase in these studies compared with previous decades. Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and variants of these approaches have been evaluated and shown to have positive results. Borderline personality disorder continues to garner the most attention and has been shown to respond favorably to several types of therapeutic interventions on a range of outcomes. Avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder also respond positively to psychotherapy. Although growing attention to the treatment of PDs is encouraging, further research is indicated. A summary of recent empirical findings and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.

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  1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada

    Shelley McMain PhD

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  1. Shelley McMain PhD
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  2. Alberta E. Pos PhD
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Correspondence to Shelley McMain PhD.

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McMain, S., Pos, A.E. Advances in psychotherapy of personality disorders: A research update. Curr Psychiatry Rep 9, 46–52 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0009-7

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