Abstract
Background: The diagnostic label personality disorder’ delineates a vast and ill-defined patient group associated with particular challenges for clinicians and systems of care. The term itself continues to be a source of division, reflected in different conceptual and diagnostic frameworks.
Given the limited role of pharmacotherapy for this patient group, the relational dimension of the clinical encounter gains particular emphasis. Recent decades have seen the emergence of various psychotherapeutic models of care, particularly for borderline personality disorder (BPD); nonetheless, access to specialist treatment remains patchy and fragmented at a regional and national level.
Objectives: To provide participants with an overview of psychodynamic approaches to personality-based pathology over time, with particular attention to more recent conceptual developments captured in different psychotherapeutic modalities. It will focus on the effective translation of psychodynamic ideas to various clinical settings, enabling clinicians to bridge psychiatric and psychotherapeutic models of care.
Methods: The session will incorporate: focused presentations by experienced clinicians and interactive Questions and Answers; group discussions around case vignettes across different clinical settings; followed by a case-based discussion group facilitated by one of the presenters.
Findings: The workshop will emphasise specific conceptual developments tailored to the complexities of personality disorders and how these can be effectively applied in various clinical settings.
Conclusions: Attendees will feel more confident in applying psychodynamic principles and ideas when working with patients facing complex personality-based difficulties, thereby expanding their clinical repertoire to meet the complex needs of individuals in an integrative and pragmatic manner.
Pre-congress workshop.