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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a dependent personality disorder can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Dependent personality disorder therapy

What is dependent personality disorder therapy?

Dependent personality disorder therapy from our therapists in Atlanta, GA helps clients establish their individuality and self-reliance, as those with dependent personality disorder harshly criticize themselves and underestimate their abilities.

How does dependent personality disorder therapy work?

Dependent personality disorder therapy often involves exploration into one’s past — specifically, events or relationships that may have led to the development of their dependent personality disorder. These experiences and their subsequent behaviors are discussed to help one develop healthier behaviors moving forward.

Is dependent personality disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Dependent personality disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does dependent personality disorder therapy last?

Dependent personality disorder with a provider at Thriveworks in Atlanta, GA is a short-term therapy, as long-form treatment can lead to the development of a dependence on one’s therapist.

Need more help deciding?

Dependent Personality Disorder Counseling in Atlanta, GA—Sandy Springs Counselors

If you feel dependent upon another person for your well-being, know that help is available. The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Atlanta in Sandy Springs have helped many clients learn how to live a self-reliant, independent life, and we treat Dependent Personality Disorder.

An Unhealthy Dependency

All people rely upon others to some degree or another, but Dependent Personality Disorder is very different than allowing others to help you. The difference is illustrated in two beliefs that Dependent Personality Disorder teaches people: that they are helpless to provide for themselves and that others must then provide for them. These two disordered beliefs fuel a number of disordered behaviors.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) gives the full range of symptoms for someone who has Dependent Personality Disorder (301.6[F70.7]). The primary diagnostics are:

  • Submissive behavior.
  • A need to be cared for.
  • Fear of separation.
  • At least five of the following will also be present with Dependent Personality Disorder:
  • While making big and small decisions, seeking advice and reassurance and assistance from someone in a caretaking or authority position.
  • Feeling uncomfortable at the thought of one’s unique individuality and separateness from other people.
  • Experiencing an acute fear of having to support oneself.
  • Relinquishing responsibility and oversite of substantial portions of one’s life (e.g., having a parent pay one’s rent).
  • Doing extreme things to guarantee someone’s support and nurture—even hiding one’s true thoughts, feelings, opinions, et cetera.
  • Feeling an acute fear of abandonment—especially by a caregiver.
  • Complying with what other people, especially authority figures, think, believe, and feel.
  • Feeling an acute fear of being by oneself.
  • When one caretaking relationship ends, quickly hopping to another caretaking relationship.

These symptoms paint a clear picture of the ways that Dependent Personality Disorder can hinder people’s ability to function well in life. In their personal lives, people with the disorder are at increased risk of other mental health problems, including other adjustment, personality, depressive, and anxiety disorders. They often have difficulty with mutual friendships and limited social circles. Professionally, people with the disorder may have difficulty finding or maintaining a job. They often lack initiative and confidence, two assets in a workplace.

Learning to Be Independent

Here are a few tools that therapists can use to formulate a treatment plan:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: focuses upon the false beliefs that fuel Dependent Personality Disorder, such as “I am incapable.” It seeks to help clients see these distortions for what they are so that they can then embrace positive, true beliefs, for example, “I may need help from time to time, but I can provide for myself.”
  • Medication: a form of antidepressant may help people experience a short-term relief from their symptoms so that they can then focus upon long-term healing. For people who also have a depressive or anxiety disorder, medication may be particularly beneficial.
  • Psychodynamic therapy: focuses upon the wounds of dependency, in particular how and why it developed. Its focus is deep healing. Psychodynamic therapy is a long-term commitment, but often, people find long-term healing.

Setting Up an Appointment at Thriveworks Atlanta in Sandy Springs

If you are ready to schedule an appointment, the professionals at Thriveworks Atlanta in Sandy Springs are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, your first appointment may be within 7 days of your first call.

Dial now or book online to get started.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Atlanta therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Atlanta
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have had a wonderful experience He is kind and listens.
Heather Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I look forward to my sessions with Ashley!
Emi Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Ashley, is amazing and very genuine. She makes me feel like I can be open and more comfortable with expressing myself. She really feels passionate about helping me. The process to start therapy is quick and easy with a lot of available times and therapists to choose from.
Read more My therapist, Ashley, is amazing and very genuine. She makes me feel like I can be open and more comfortable with expressing myself. She really feels passionate about helping me. The process to start therapy is quick and easy with a lot of available times and therapists to choose from.
Atlanta Jun 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My therapist Claudia is wonderful! I’m incredibly grateful for the tools that I have learned to use in my life.
Read more My therapist Claudia is wonderful! I’m incredibly grateful for the tools that I have learned to use in my life.
Atlanta Jun 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Aria is an exceptional therapist! I have seen first hand how much she cares about her clients and helps them through difficult times in their lives. Aria provides each of her clients with a safe space to express themselves and is always willing to go the extra mile. Not only is Aria an exceptional therapist she is also an amazing person.
Read more Aria is an exceptional therapist! I have seen first hand how much she cares about her clients and helps them through difficult times in their lives. Aria provides each of her clients with a safe space to express themselves and is always willing to go the extra mile. Not only is Aria an exceptional therapist she is also an amazing person.
Atlanta Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ingrid is an exceptional social worker. She is understanding, compassionate, flexible and an excellent listener.
Read more Ingrid is an exceptional social worker. She is understanding, compassionate, flexible and an excellent listener.
Atlanta Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I am leaving this review on the behalf of Latoya Skinner. She is a very exceptional therapist with a heart of gold and deep compassion. I have had the pleasure of working with her as a co-worker and she has been very instrumental in providing feedback, Consulting with me on cases and having deep insight into working with me on some of the hardest cases and complicated clients. Latoya is one that will give her all and will go above and beyond to assist anyone. I highly recommend Latoya's to be a part of your team. She would be be a tremendous asset.
Read more I am leaving this review on the behalf of Latoya Skinner. She is a very exceptional therapist with a heart of gold and deep compassion. I have had the pleasure of working with her as a co-worker and she has been very instrumental in providing feedback, Consulting with me on cases and having deep insight into working with me on some of the hardest cases and complicated clients. Latoya is one that will give her all and will go above and beyond to assist anyone. I highly recommend Latoya's to be a part of your team. She would be be a tremendous asset.
Atlanta Mar 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have personally known Nichola Daley for over 15 years and can honestly say that she is one of the most genuine, intelligent, and compassionate people i have met. As a current behavioral health program director and employee of over 10 years, i can honestly say that Nichola develops a great rapport with every individual she encounters and performs well in problem solving and attending to their needs. Optimism and transparency are a few of her strong holds in which is why I strongly recommend her as a great therapist to consult.
Read more I have personally known Nichola Daley for over 15 years and can honestly say that she is one of the most genuine, intelligent, and compassionate people i have met. As a current behavioral health program director and employee of over 10 years, i can honestly say that Nichola develops a great rapport with every individual she encounters and performs well in problem solving and attending to their needs. Optimism and transparency are a few of her strong holds in which is why I strongly recommend her as a great therapist to consult.
Atlanta Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Atlanta is located at 8800 Roswell Road a135, A-245, Atlanta, GA 30350, across from the North River Village Shopping Center.

Phone number

(404) 737-2670

Languages spoken by GA providers

  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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