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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

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As a human being, I understand the myriad of psychiatric, psychological, and mental health problems that humans face throughout their formative years,... As a human being, I understand the myriad of psychiatric, psychological, and mental health problems that humans face throughout their formative years, adolescence, young adulthood, and mid-adulthood. Read more

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As a psychiatric nurse working in Boston, MA, I am passionate about providing quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to my pa... As a psychiatric nurse working in Boston, MA, I am passionate about providing quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to my patients. Read more

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I understand the complex and dynamic needs associated with mental health challenges—and can help you fulfill those needs.

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As a nurse who has been practicing nursing for over 20 years and a Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator (of 10 years as well) working for a major cit... As a nurse who has been practicing nursing for over 20 years and a Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator (of 10 years as well) working for a major city hospital in Massachusetts; caring for a wide ethnic group as well as young adults to geriatric population; working with many patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders in the in-patient and outpatient settings, I have practically seen it all and recognize some of the barriers to healthcare that the vulnerable and underserved population face therefore can understand the stigmatization and difficulty associated with caring for such group. Read more

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Starting Personality disorder therapy

What is Personality disorder therapy?

Personality disorder counseling is an effective form of mental health treatment for those with personality disorder. It aims to treat dangerous behavior as well as behavior that might contribute to a low-quality of life.

How does Personality disorder therapy work?

Thriveworks personality disorder counseling in Cambridge, MA is personalized to each individual, dependent on their unique needs and the severity of their personality disorder. That said, it often works best to have a team of professionals involved in treatment, which might include a psychiatric provider and/or other experts in addition to your therapist.

Is Personality disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks' personality disorder counseling in Cambridge, MA is conducted both in person and virtually through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Personality disorder therapy last?

The length of personality disorder counseling sessions will depend on the individual's specific personality disorder, which means it can vary from one person to the next.

Need more help deciding?

When Buster Bluth’s father was arrested, he was left to take over the family’s real estate business. Buster’s older brothers had resigned from the company in frustration, so he stepped up. The only problem is that Buster’s first meeting with employees was literally his first business meeting on his first day of work. In his over thirty years of life, Buster had lived at home, never worked, and fulfilled his mother’s every whim, even zipping up her dresses when called. Buster could not take care of himself, much less a company with dozens of employees. He finished his first business meeting hiding under the conference table. As his employees continued to ask him questions, he whispered, “you guys are so smart.” Buster’s character on Arrested Development provides some of the show’s biggest laughs, but he is also a caricature for Dependent Personality Disorder.

Buster Bluth, in an extreme way, displays the classic signs of Dependent Personality Disorder. He struggles with low self-esteem and lives to please an authority figure (his mother). Buster also depends upon that authority figure and does not trust himself to take care of his own needs. His social circle is limited to family, and Buster has difficulty with reciprocal friendships as his relationships all evolve into dependency. Buster is a funny character, but it is easy to see that this disorder is not funny in real life. Dependent Personality Disorder introduces many personal and professional handicaps into an individual’s life. It is a serious mental illness, but it is also a disorder that has viable treatment options.

If you or someone you know is struggling with dependency, know that it is possible to live an independent, self-reliant life. The therapists at Thriveworks Cambridge have worked with many clients who have Dependent Personality Disorder and helped them become their unique, capable self.

Dependent Personality Disorder: What Is It?

Two powerful but untrue beliefs undergird and fuel Dependent Personality Disorder. First, people with the disorder believe they care incapable—that they cannot fulfill and take responsibility for their own psychological and mental needs. Second, people with the disorder believe that others must provide for them. These negative and false thought patterns are two sides of the same coin, and they lead to a number of negative behaviors that undermine a person’s individuality. People with the disorder are often anxious and clingy in relationships. They are their own worst critics—downplaying their skills and emphasizing their faults.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the diagnostics for Dependent Personality Disorder (301.6[F70.7]) in detail. The primary signs are:

  1. A need to be cared for.
  2. Submissive behavior.
  3. Fear of separation.

People with the disorder will also have at least five of the following:

  • Seeking reassurance and advice about everyday choices from a caretaker or authority figure. For example, calling a parent about where to eat out or which color sweater to buy.
  • Experiencing discomfort with one’s individuality.
  • Fearing having to provide for oneself.
  • Abdicating responsibility within significant areas of one’s life. For example, having another person pay one’s bills.
  • Going to great lengths to ensure a caregiver’s nurture and support, even compromising one’s values or identity.
  • Experiencing an intense fear of abandonment.
  • Being overly compliant with what other’s believe and think. For example, yielding to everything, from which movie to see to which political party to support.
  • Hopping from one caretaker to another whenever a relationship ends.
  • Fear of being alone.

Reading through these symptoms should also give a clear picture of the ways that Dependent Personality Disorder inhibits an individual’s professional and social life. Personally, people with the disorder have difficulty connecting with other people. They are also at greater risk of developing other mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Professionally, people with the disorder often lack initiative and confidence—two important factors in gaining and maintaining employment.

Dependent Personality Disorder Treatment Options

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”
—Michel de Montaigne

Dependency can severely hinder an individual’s ability to function well in life, but it is possible to live a unique and independent life. One particular challenge to healing is that the therapist cannot become another dependent relationship or caregiver. Therapy must focus upon building self-reliance. In order to do so, there are several options for treatment, depending upon a particular individual’s needs. For example, a holistic treatment plan may include elements such as…
Cognitive behavioral therapy: This treatment looks at the disordered beliefs that the disorder teaches people. It helps individuals identify untrue thinking patterns, such as, “I cannot provide for my own needs.” It helps people see the truth, that they are capable people.

  • Medication: Some people need the symptoms of the disorder to be relieved in the short term so that they can focus upon long term healing. Medication may be particularly helpful for people who are also struggling with depression or anxiety.
  • Psychodynamic therapy: This treatment option has a long-term healing goal. It delves into how and why the dependency developed. It explores emotional and psychological wounds so that healing can be applied.

Scheduling Appointments at Thriveworks Cambridge

If you are struggling with dependency, consider reaching out for help. Thriveworks Cambridge treats Dependent Personality Disorder, and we have appointments available. When you call our office, your first appointment may be the following day. We also accept many different forms of insurance. Call today.

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 Cambridge therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Cambridge
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

4.5 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
All the people of thrive works have been great my doctor is awesome Dr. Lal
Anthony Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I am so pleased with my decision to see Rebecca at ThriveWorks in Cambridge. She is compassionate and understanding, but also pushes me to feel confident I can make changes in my life that are needed most. I feel so supported. Feeling grateful that I took a leap to try Rebecca!
Read more I am so pleased with my decision to see Rebecca at ThriveWorks in Cambridge. She is compassionate and understanding, but also pushes me to feel confident I can make changes in my life that are needed most. I feel so supported. Feeling grateful that I took a leap to try Rebecca!
Cambridge May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Rebecca Rodriquez is a true professional. I have found her to be trustworthy and truly helpful. She demonstrates kindness, compassion and strong clinical knowledge in her therapeutic approach. I highly recommend her to all. She has been extremely helpful to me.
Read more Rebecca Rodriquez is a true professional. I have found her to be trustworthy and truly helpful. She demonstrates kindness, compassion and strong clinical knowledge in her therapeutic approach. I highly recommend her to all. She has been extremely helpful to me.
Cambridge Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have had the opportunity to work with Rebecca Rodrigues for a long time. She is a thoughtful professional, mindful clinician and highly respectful to her clients.
Read more I have had the opportunity to work with Rebecca Rodrigues for a long time. She is a thoughtful professional, mindful clinician and highly respectful to her clients.
Cambridge Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Arielle has been an incredible help in my life and I can’t thank her enough for it!
Cambridge Jun 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've had the pleasure of working with Alicia at her previous job. She is an incredible clinician who's knowledge, leadership, and compassionate made her an excellent supervisor and therapist.
Read more I've had the pleasure of working with Alicia at her previous job. She is an incredible clinician who's knowledge, leadership, and compassionate made her an excellent supervisor and therapist.
Cambridge Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I had been unable to make an appointment with a therapist for a long time. Everyone had a three month waiting list. I took a chance and made an appointment here. I love Hannah, she’s excellent, and I’m glad I found Thriveworks. It’s too soon for me to weigh in on the additional services Thriveworks offers but it seems good!
Read more I had been unable to make an appointment with a therapist for a long time. Everyone had a three month waiting list. I took a chance and made an appointment here. I love Hannah, she’s excellent, and I’m glad I found Thriveworks. It’s too soon for me to weigh in on the additional services Thriveworks offers but it seems good!
Cambridge Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Hannah Fulkerson has been a great help in creating a dialogue between myself and my wife. Thank you.
Read more Hannah Fulkerson has been a great help in creating a dialogue between myself and my wife. Thank you.
Cambridge Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Cambridge is located off of Massachusetts Ave, on the north side of the Charles River. Our office is in the Cambridge Tower next to Apollo Travel and Tours, Tanjore, and Cambridge Premier Realty. The closest bus stop is Massachusetts Ave opp Lee St. If you have trouble finding our office or have any questions about how to get here, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Phone number

(617) 380-4651

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Creole
  • French
  • Japanese
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

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Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

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