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Personality Disorders: Diagnostic Features, Clinical Challenges, and Treatment Implications

CLINICAL EVENTS

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Personality Disorders: Diagnostic Features, Clinical Challenges, and Treatment Implications

Practical Personality Disorders Training for Therapists

Aug. 1, 2026

10:00 AM - 1:15 PM (EST)

Virtual Event
3 CE Credits
Why do some clients with personality pathology feel so difficult to engage — and what actually works? Personality disorders are often misunderstood and can present significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment, leaving many clinicians feeling stuck or ineffective. This practical and engaging webinar will help clinicians recognize key diagnostic features, understand the underlying functions of personality pathology, and apply evidence-based strategies to improve engagement, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, and support meaningful change.

Personality Disorders Training

Personality disorders present unique diagnostic and clinical challenges that can leave clinicians feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or ineffective in treatment. These enduring patterns of emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral dysregulation often impact therapeutic engagement and progress when not fully understood. This webinar will provide a clear, practical overview of the diagnostic features of personality disorders, common clinical challenges that arise in treatment, and key implications for effective intervention.

Drawing from evidence-based approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), participants will gain greater diagnostic clarity, strengthen their understanding of the underlying functions of personality pathology, and learn actionable strategies to improve engagement, enhance the therapeutic alliance, and support meaningful, lasting change.

Session Highlights
  • Build a clear understanding of the core features of personality disorders to improve accurate clinical identification and case conceptualization.
  • Learn how to confidently differentiate personality disorders from trauma-related and mood presentations to guide more effective treatment planning.
  • Explore common clinical challenges — including emotional reactivity, interpersonal sensitivity, and engagement barriers — and how to navigate them skillfully.
  • Understand the underlying functions of personality-driven behaviors to reduce clinician frustration and support more compassionate, effective care.
  • Apply practical, evidence-based strategies, including DBT-informed interventions, to strengthen the therapeutic alliance and improve outcomes.
Key Takeaways For Clinicians

“Personality Disorders Training is essential for understanding complex patterns of behavior, emotional regulation, and interpersonal difficulties in clinical settings. This Personality Disorders Training helps clinicians identify key diagnostic features and differentiate between various personality disorders while improving clinical decision-making.

Through this Personality Disorders Training, professionals gain practical strategies to manage challenging cases and improve therapeutic outcomes in real-world practice. The course emphasizes applied techniques, making this Personality Disorders Training highly valuable for modern clinicians seeking to enhance their skills—learn more about professional development opportunities through Clinical Events.

By completing this Personality Disorders Training, clinicians strengthen their ability to assess, diagnose, and treat personality-related conditions effectively, while also staying aligned with best practices supported by organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health. Overall, Personality Disorders Training equips clinicians with structured, evidence-based tools to deliver better outcomes and maintain long-term effectiveness in clinical care”.

This live interactive webinar is designed for behavioral health professionals, including:

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychotherapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Substance Use Disorders Counselors
  • Case Managers
  • Physicians
  • Other Mental Health Professionals
Lexi Mulee, LMHC, CASAC-T, C-DBTLexi Mulee, LMHC, CASAC-T, C-DBT

Founder and owner of Wise Mind Counseling, a thriving DBT-based private practice in New York City. She specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and applies it in her work with individuals navigating Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders, with a particular passion for supporting LGBTQIA+ youth.  Lexi earned her undergraduate degree from Hofstra University and her graduate degree from the University of Miami. With over a decade of experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, she believes effective therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Her approach is highly individualized, strengths-based, and deeply collaborative, rooted in the DBT principle that client and clinician are equal partners, rowing together toward the client’s goals.  Beyond her clinical work, Lexi is a highly sought-after speaker and educator, known for her dynamic, relatable, and engaging teaching style—often compared to the likes of Brené Brown. Whether through storytelling, humor, or interactive exercises, Lexi has a knack for making even the most complex concepts feel accessible, inspiring, and fun to learn.

After this training, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the core diagnostic features and distinguishing characteristics of personality disorders across Clusters A, B, and C.
  • Differentiate personality disorders from other clinical conditions and understand their developmental and functional origins.
  • Apply evidence-based treatment principles, including DBT-informed strategies, to improve therapeutic engagement and clinical outcomes.

10:00 -10:05 am – Introduction
10:05-10:30 am –What Are PDs?
10:30-11:00 am – What is the History of PDs?
11:00-11:30 am -Cluster A: Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal
11:30-11:45 am – Break
11:45-12:15 pm – Cluster B: Borderline, Histrionic, narcissistic, Antisocial
12:15-12:45 pm – Cluster C: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive
12:45-1:05 pm – Clinical presentation
1:05-1:15 pm – Q&A

All levels. This presentation will provide foundational knowledge for newer clinicians while also offering deeper clinical insight and practical treatment considerations for more experienced professionals.

Registration Cost

Registration $67 | Aug. 1 | Virtual Event | 3 CE Credits | 10:00 am – 1:15 pm ET

Registration Deadline:  Aug. 1, 2026

Cancellation Policy

All registrations are non-refundable. However, you may request a full credit toward a future training if:

  • You notify us at least 72 hours before the event starts.
  • Credit is valid for up to 6 months from the original event date.
  • No credit will be issued for no-shows or cancellations made on the same day.
  • When you register for an event, you agree to these terms

Please email [email protected] to request a credit or reschedule.

A total of 3 CE credits are available.

Additional Approvals Pending.


ASWB ACE

Clinical Events, LLC, (provider # 2201) is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/01/2025 – 11/01/2028.

NBCC

Clinical Events, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved   Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7643 Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Clinical Events, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC

This course has been approved by Clinical Events, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #320899, Clinical Events is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

NY State Board of Psychologists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0292.

NY State Board of Social Workers

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0828.

NY State Board of Mental Health Counselors

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0329.

NY State Board of Marriage & Family Therapists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0140.

NJ State Board of Social Workers & Professional Counselors

The New Jersey Social Work Examiners Board accepts ASWB ACE Provider credits. The New Jersey Professional Counselors Board accepts NBCC-approved CE provider credits.

All Other States Social Workers & Professional Counselors

All other states accept ASWB ACE Provider credits and NBCC-approved CE provider credits. Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their jurisdictions. States and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Florida Certification Board

Clinical Events is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5527-A).

Canada Social Workers

BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, and QC accept ASWB ACE-approved provider programs to meet licensure renewal requirements.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Canada Counsellors

Clinical Events is an NBCC-approved provider.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Please contact us if you would like to inquire about applicable approvals for your continuing education (CE) needs.

Each professional is responsible for understanding and meeting the specific CE requirements set by their individual licensing board or regulatory agency. We encourage you to reach out to your licensing body directly to confirm how our programs apply toward your licensure renewal.

Questions:  [email protected]

In accordance with continuing education standards and requirements, the presenter discloses that they have no relevant financial relationships, affiliations, or conflicts of interest to report.

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