Personality Structure and Its Implications for Psychotherapy

Many of us chose a vocation in psychotherapy because we were fascinated with individual differences. Research findings support this focus: personality and relationship variables consistently show a greater influence on outcome than type of treatment. This workshop will conceptualize personality differences as they are presented in the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual.

In this 5-hour workshop, Dr. Nancy McWilliams describes personality dimensionally, contextually, and inferentially, with attention to subjective experience, repetitive themes, defensive patterns, central conflicts, self-esteem maintenance, and relational patterns rather than observable “traits.” The focus is on the practical value of understanding clients’ personalities in depth, whether or not the personality is “disordered”. This focus facilitates adaptation to clients’ individual styles of learning and changing as they address the problems that constitute the central focus of treatment.

Neither an in-depth familiarity with psychoanalysis nor a commitment to psychodynamic approaches is necessary to benefit from the training. The workshop is oriented toward an inclusive, diverse population of therapists of all theoretical orientations who struggle with short or long-term issues rooted in personality in a range of settings. Emphasis is on the practical applications of the concepts.

About this workshop

This workshop was originally given by Dr. McWilliams for Medipsy. It is approved for 5 hours of continuing education by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (RA02262-17/RA03480-20) and by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (#64937806).

Tax information

Medipsy is recognized by Revenu Quebec as an educational institution making our courses tax-deductible. Our accreditation number is 16-07-3871

The registration fee includes all applicable taxes.
Our GST number is 82873 880 RT0001
Our PST number is 1218616310