DSM-5-TR Personality Disorders: Treatment Goals and Clinical Reflection Assignment

Directions:  Select two (2) of any Personality Disorders from the DSM-V-TR. After reading through the diagnostic criteria for each diagnosis, please respond to the questions below, then listen to a portion of a podcast about a person who experiences harm due to someone in her life with a personality disorder. Review the podcast portion and respond to the questions after the Prologue and Act One. Please include any references you use to answer the questions.

Select two (2) of any Personality Disorders from the DSM-V-TR. After reading through the diagnostic criteria for each of the diagnoses, please respond to the questions

1. What would be your primary treatment goals for someone experiencing these symptoms?

2. What personal barriers, thoughts, or concerns would you overcome to work with this patient effectively?

Patient #3  Prologue and Act One : 

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/587/the-perils-of-intimacy

1. What therapeutic goals would you discuss with Rachel if she was your patient?

2. What personal barriers, thoughts, or concerns would you overcome to work with Rachel effectively?

 

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Below is a clear, student-friendly, step-by-step guide to help you structure and write your paper with confidence.


Step-by-Step Writing Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Two DSM-5-TR Personality Disorders

Pick any two personality disorders from the DSM-5-TR. Examples include:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder

  • Avoidant Personality Disorder

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder

  • Dependent Personality Disorder

📌 Tip: Select disorders you feel comfortable comparing or ones you find interesting.


Step 2: Read the DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria Carefully

For each disorder:

  • Identify the core symptoms

  • Pay attention to the duration and patterns of behavior

  • Note areas of impairment (relationships, work, self-image, emotional regulation)


Step 3: Write Section 1 — Treatment Goals

For each of your two disorders, write a short paragraph answering:

1. What would be your primary treatment goals?

Use this structure:

  1. Identify symptoms the goals are addressing

  2. Explain short-term goals

  3. Explain long-term goals

  4. Name evidence-based approaches (DBT, CBT, schema therapy, etc.)

Example starter sentence:
“For individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, primary treatment goals would focus on emotional regulation, stabilizing relationships, and reducing impulsive behaviors.”


Step 4: Write Section 2 — Personal Barriers Reflection

This section should show self-awareness and professional growth.

2. What personal barriers, thoughts, or concerns would you overcome?

Use this format:

  • Acknowledge any emotional reactions you might experience working with this population

  • Identify assumptions or fears you must challenge

  • Describe how you would maintain empathy and boundaries

  • Explain how supervision and self-reflection support effective treatment

Example sentence:
“I would need to monitor any frustration that arises during repeated crisis behaviors and ensure I maintain empathy while upholding boundaries.”


Step 5: Listen to the Podcast (Prologue & Act One)

Podcast link: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/587/the-perils-of-intimacy
Focus on Rachel’s experiences and the relational harm described.
Take notes on:

  • Behavioral patterns

  • Emotional impact

  • Relationship dynamics

  • Safety concerns


Step 6: Write Section 3 — Therapeutic Goals for Rachel

Answer:

1. What therapeutic goals would you discuss with Rachel?

Use a therapeutic, supportive tone.
Consider goals related to:

  • Emotional processing

  • Trauma recovery

  • Boundary-setting

  • Safety planning

  • Strengthening self-advocacy

  • Improving insight into unhealthy relational patterns


Step 7: Write Section 4 — Personal Barriers When Working With Rachel

Answer:

2. What personal barriers, thoughts, or concerns would you overcome?

Examples you might discuss:

  • Managing your emotional response to hearing her story

  • Avoiding overidentification with the client

  • Ensuring you don’t slip into a “rescuer” mindset

  • Maintaining professional boundaries while still being empathic

Use reflective language like:
“I would need to be mindful of my own desire to protect the client and instead focus on empowering her.”


Step 8: Add References

Use APA style.
You may include:

  • DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022)

  • Peer-reviewed articles

  • Therapy modality sources

  • The podcast


Helpful Resource Links You Can Use

Here are reliable, student-appropriate links:

DSM-5-TR Personality Disorders Overview

APA Personality Disorder section (official):
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Overview

https://behavioraltech.org/resources/faqs/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt/

CBT Overview

American Psychological Association – CBT:
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral

Schema Therapy Basics

https://schematherapysociety.org/What-is-Schema-Therapy

Podcast Episode

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/587/the-perils-of-intimacy

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