Personality Disorders Treatment
in Beachwood, NJ
Compassionate, structured support for emotional regulation, relationship patterns, identity stability, and long-term personal growth.
You Are Not “Too Much” — You Are a Human Being Who Deserves Understanding and Support
Personality disorders are widely misunderstood, often surrounded by stigma, judgment, or misconceptions. Many individuals with a personality disorder diagnosis describe feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed by emotions, disconnected from others, or trapped in patterns they desperately want to change but don’t know how. These conditions do not define who you are—they describe the emotional challenges you’ve carried, often for years, without the right support.
At Triangle Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, we take a deeply compassionate, trauma-informed approach to personality disorder treatment. We understand that symptoms such as emotional intensity, relationship difficulties, self-doubt, impulsivity, or fear of abandonment often stem from early experiences, trauma, attachment injuries, or long-standing stress—not personal failure.
Our goal is to help individuals recognize their strengths, understand their emotional patterns, and build the skills needed for healthier relationships, boundaries, stability, and self-confidence. With evening and weekend availability, we make it easier for adults, teens, and families to access ongoing support without missing school, work, or responsibilities.
Healing is possible. Growth is real. You deserve a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported—not judged.
ADD/ADHD Treatment
in Toms River, NJ
Compassionate, evidence-based care that supports focus, stability, and long-term success.
What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to the world that may cause distress or interfere with daily life and relationships. These patterns often develop as a result of early life experiences, emotional conditioning, trauma, or biological factors. Personality disorders are
treatable, and many individuals improve significantly with the right support.
Understanding Personality Disorders
Common Features of Personality Disorders
While each diagnosis is different, many individuals experience:
- difficulty regulating emotions
- intense or rapidly shifting feelings
- sensitivity to rejection or criticism
- challenges with boundaries
- impulsive or reactive behaviors
- complex interpersonal relationships
- low self-esteem or unstable sense of identity
- persistent feelings of emptiness
- difficulty trusting others
- perfectionism or rigid thinking
- difficulty managing stress
- fear of abandonment
These symptoms are not intentional—they are learned survival responses that once served a purpose, but no longer feel helpful.
Co-Occurring Conditions
Personality disorders often occur alongside:
- anxiety disorders
- depression
- trauma/PTSD
- OCD symptoms
- ADHD
- substance use patterns
- emotional regulation struggles
Treating both the personality features and co-occurring conditions leads to stronger, more lasting outcomes.
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are often grouped into categories based on shared features. The most commonly treated in outpatient mental health settings include:
1. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Marked by emotional intensity, fear of abandonment, relationship patterns that feel “all-or-nothing,” impulsivity, and difficulty self-soothing.
2. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Involves extreme sensitivity to rejection, fear of criticism, avoidance of social interaction, and feelings of inadequacy.
3. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Not the same as OCD. Characterized by perfectionism, rigid control, over-focus on rules, and difficulty delegating or relaxing.
4. Dependent Personality Disorder
Involves difficulty making decisions independently, reliance on others, and fear of being alone.
5. Traits or Mixed Features
Many individuals do not fit neatly into one category. Personality disorder traits can overlap or coexist with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma.
Personality disorder treatment supports individuals struggling with emotional or relational patterns that cause stress, conflict, or instability.
Who Personality Disorder Treatment Helps
Teens & Young Adults
Symptoms may include:
▲ intense emotions and mood changes
▲ difficulties with friendships
▲ identity confusion
▲ self-criticism
▲ impulsivity
▲ sensitivity to rejection
▲ feeling misunderstood or different
Early support can significantly improve long-term well-being.
Adults
Adults often seek treatment when they notice:
▲ repeated relationship patterns
▲ emotional exhaustion
▲ difficulty maintaining boundaries
▲ chronic feelings of emptiness
▲ perfectionism or rigidity
▲ problems with trust
▲ fear of abandonment
▲ difficulty handling stress
▲ impulsive or reactive behavior
Many adults want to understand themselves to create meaningful change.
Individuals With Trauma or Emotional Sensitivity
Personality disorder symptoms frequently stem from:
▲ early childhood stress
▲ invalidation
▲ attachment challenges
▲ trauma
Our trauma-informed approach honors this connection.
Families & Partners: we help families understand emotional patterns and build healthier communication, boundaries, and support systems.
What to Expect During Personality Disorder Treatment
Treatment at Triangle Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is collaborative, strengths-based, and focused on long-term emotional stability. We work to build understanding, self-awareness, and skills that support healthier relationships and daily functioning.
1. Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
We explore:
- emotional patterns
- relationship history
- self-esteem and identity
- past trauma or invalidation
- coping strategies
- impulsive behaviors
- anxiety or depressive symptoms
- communication styles
- attachment patterns
- stressors and daily functioning
This helps us understand the root of symptoms—not just the surface behaviors.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps clients:
- identify unhelpful thought patterns
- challenge self-criticism
- understand emotional triggers
- reduce impulsive reactions
- build healthier coping skills
3. Supportive Therapy & Skills Training
We help individuals develop:
- emotional regulation skills
- distress tolerance
- grounding strategies
- communication and boundary-setting skills
- problem-solving tools
- mindfulness-based calming techniques
- healthier relationship patterns
4. Trauma-Informed Care
Many personality disorder symptoms are connected to earlier experiences of:
- emotional neglect
- invalidation
- instability
- attachment ruptures
- trauma
We create a safe, validating environment where clients feel understood.
5. Medication Support (When Appropriate)
While medication does not treat personality disorders directly, it can help with:
- anxiety
- depression
- mood instability
- impulsivity
- sleep difficulties
Medication is always used thoughtfully and collaboratively.
6. Family Guidance & Communication Skills
We support families in:
- understanding emotional intensity
- reducing conflict
- setting healthy limits
- improving communication
- supporting stability at home
7. Flexible Scheduling for Consistency
With evening and weekend hours, clients can attend therapy regularly—an essential part of meaningful progress.
Why Choose Triangle for Personality Disorder Treatment?
Personality disorders require patience, skill, and a deeply compassionate approach. At Triangle Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, we provide supportive, evidence-based care that meets individuals exactly where they are.
Non-Stigmatizing, Trauma-Informed Care
We understand the stigma around personality disorders. Here, you will be met with validation, respect, and understanding.
Expertise in Behavioral Dysregulation
Richard Holligan, PMHNP-BC, has extensive experience in helping clients build long-term emotional stability.
Integrative Care for Co-Occurring Symptoms
We address anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and stress alongside personality features for a complete approach.
Flexible Hours for Consistent Progress
With evenings and weekends available, clients can attend regularly without disrupting work, school, or responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes personality disorders?
Personality disorders develop through a combination of early life experiences, emotional learning, temperament, family dynamics, trauma, and biological factors.
Can personality disorders be treated?
Absolutely. With therapy, skill-building, and support, individuals can significantly improve emotional regulation, relationships, and stability.
Are personality disorders permanent?
No. While patterns may develop early, they can change over time with consistent treatment and support.
Do personality disorders mean I’m “broken” or “bad”?
Not at all. Personality disorders are emotional patterns—not definitions of character or worth.
Does medication help?
Medication can support co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety or depression, helping individuals feel more stable and focused for therapy.
How long does treatment take?
Meaningful change takes time, but clients often see improvement within weeks to months, with greater transformation occurring over longer-term support.
Do you treat teens with personality disorder traits?
Yes. We provide age-appropriate, supportive care that focuses on early skill development and emotional stabilization.
Take the First Step Toward Understanding, Stability, and Growth
Personality disorders can make life feel confusing, overwhelming, or unstable—but healing is absolutely possible. With the right support, individuals can develop emotional resilience, healthier relationship patterns, and a stronger sense of self.
Hope is real. Progress is possible. Change begins today.
