One of the primary factors in the etiology of personality disorders is believed to be childhood maltreatment. Despite this knowledge, personality disorders are among the most stigmatized, villainized diagnoses in our profession. Stigma inevitably impacts the clients suffering with these disorders; their persistent negative characterization by professionals marginalizes and retraumatizes them. This mindset also oversimplifies and generalizes these disorders.

Objectives

• Examine personality disorder stigma

• Explore both significant and lesser-known symptoms of personality disorders

• Review multiple evidence based treatments

• Learn ways to cope with countertransference and implicit biases

Receive 3 hours of continuing education through the NM Counseling and Therapy Practice Board and the American Psychological Association (APA).

The trainer, Sheila Ciminera, LCSW is a social worker and owner of To Bear Witness Therapy.  She began her career working in syringe exchange and has been a proud harm reductionist ever since. Over the past 16 years, she has had the privilege of being a case manager, program developer, individual and group therapist, clinical supervisor, acudetox specialist, professor, and trainer. Her primary focus is supporting helping professionals with compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. She also specializes in working with individuals dealing with trauma, addictions, and justice involvement- all through the lens of trauma-informed care.