COMPLEX COGNITIVE THERAPY TREATMENT FOR PERSONALITY-DISORDER PATIENTS

Preliminary studies have found cognitive therapy to be a promising tre atment for personality disorder patients. Therapy is based on an indiv idualized formulation of the case and is generally much more complex a nd potentially more lengthy than the treatment for patients with Axis I disorders alone. Modifications of treatment include a greater focus on the therapeutic relationship, increased emphasis on developmental e vents, variations in session structure, and utilization of specialized strategies to alter dysfunctional beliefs and compensatory behavioral strategies.