Introduction
In order to establish client goals, it is important to understand how personality disorders can impact the individual. Many people with personality disorders have a hard time differentiating between what is real and what is not. They might also have trouble coping with change or managing their emotions. As a result, it’s essential to tailor the therapy goals to meet the specific needs of the client. In this blog post, we will explore how to establish client goals when working with personality disorders. We will also discuss how to create an individualized treatment plan and why it’s important to consider the unique needs of each client.
What are Personality Disorders?
There are many different types of personality disorders, each with their own unique set of symptoms. Personality disorders can be broadly divided into three categories: Odd or Eccentric, Dramatic or Emotional, and Anxious or Fearful.
Odd or Eccentric personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and schizoid personality disorder. People with these disorders tend to be mistrustful, suspicious, and solitary. They may have odd beliefs or behaviors and often have trouble forming close relationships.
Dramatic or Emotional personality disorders include borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. People with these disorders tend to be impulsive, emotional, and dramatic. They may have a history of unstable relationships and difficulty managing their emotions.
Anxious or Fearful personality disorders include avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. People with these disorders tend to be shy, anxious, and fearful. They may have difficulty trusting others and may be overly reliant on others for support.
The Different Types of Personality Disorders
When it comes to personality disorders, there are different types that an individual can suffer from. Here is a quick overview of the different types of personality disorders:
• Paranoid Personality Disorder: Individuals suffering from this disorder tend to be mistrusting and suspicious of others. They have a constant fear of being betrayed or taken advantage of.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by odd or eccentric thinking and behavior. Individuals may have delusions or hallucinations.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder: People suffering from this disorder often engage in criminal behavior and lack empathy for others. They may be manipulative and aggressive.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterized by impulsive behavior, intense mood swings, and chaotic relationships. Individuals may also suffer from self-harm behaviors or suicidal ideation.
• Histrionic Personality Disorder: People with this disorder tend to be attention-seeking and dramatic. They may be excessively emotional and display sexually provocative behavior.
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Individuals suffering from this disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance and need constant admiration from others. They can be manipulative and exploitative in their relationships.
Establishing Client Goals
It is essential that clinicians understand the goals and expectations of their clients with personality disorders. In order to establish these goals, clinicians need to explore the following areas with their clients:
- The client’s current level of functioning in terms of work, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
- The client’s desired level of functioning in terms of work, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
- The specific goals that the client would like to achieve in therapy.
- The client’s willingness to commit to the necessary work required to achieve these goals.
- The resources that the client has available to support their journey in therapy (e.g., family and friends, financial resources).
Why is it Important to Establish Client Goals?
It is important to establish client goals in order to ensure that treatment is effective and tailored to the individual. Without clear goals, it can be difficult to know what progress has been made and what still needs to be addressed. Establishing client goals also allows for better communication between the client and therapist, as well as setting expectations for therapy.
When starting therapy, clients with personality disorders may have difficulty articulating what they hope to achieve. It can be helpful for the therapist to ask broad questions about the areas of life that are causing distress or difficulty. Once some goals have been identified, the therapist can work with the client to develop more specific and measurable objectives.
It is important to keep in mind that goals may change over time as the client makes progress in therapy. What was once a major focus may no longer be relevant, or new issues may arise that need to be addressed. Flexibility is key in maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship.
How to Establish Client Goals
It is essential that counselors understand their clients’ goals for therapy in order to establish an effective treatment plan. To do this, counselors should ask questions about what the client would like to change or accomplish through therapy. It is also important to assess whether the goals are realistic and achievable.
There are a number of factors to consider when establishing client goals. For example, if a client has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is important to keep in mind that these disorders are typically long-standing and may be difficult to change. However, it is still important to set realistic goals that can help the client improve their functioning and quality of life.
Some common goals that clients with personality disorders may want to work on include:
• Improving self-esteem and self-image.
• Reducing negative thinking patterns.
• Learning how to cope with stress and anxiety.
• improving relationships with others.
• Developing better communication skills.
Conclusion
Once you have been diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is important to work with your therapist to establish some goals. These goals should be realistic and attainable, and they should be based on your specific needs. Personality disorders can be difficult to deal with, but with the help of a therapist and the development of some healthy coping mechanisms, you can begin to live a more fulfilling life.