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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 34 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Dependent personality disorder therapy

What is Dependent personality disorder therapy?

Dependent personality disorder therapy from our therapists in Westborough, MA 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 Westborough, MA 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?

Do you recognize this story? A young girl’s mother dies, and her father quickly remarries a woman with two daughters. Soon thereafter, the young girl’s father dies. The stepmother’s evil nature is revealed, and she forces the girl to become the family’s servant. The girl complies with her stepsisters’ outlandish demands and accepts any criticism her stepmother offers. It is not until the girl’s animal friends and fairy Godmother intervene that she then is freed and goes to live with her prince charming. Most likely, you recognized the story of Cinderella. It is well-know, but what is not as well-known is that the story is an illustration of Dependent Personality Disorder. Sometimes, this disorder is often called “The Cinderella Complex” because Cinderella displays so many of its symptoms. Mental health professionals used to believe that the disorder could only develop in women, but the reality is that all people can suffer from this disorder.

Like Cinderella, people with dependent personality disorder are often overly compliant—living to please those in authority over them. They often suffer from low esteem and believe that they cannot take care of their own needs. Instead, they rely upon others for their provision, or in Cinderella’s case, for their rescue. The disorder introduces a number of difficulties into people’s lives, but it also has treatments. Several therapies and medications have proven effective for healing the wounds the disorder causes and for helping people learn to live their own, unique, independent life.

“You are constantly invited to be what you are.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough helped many clients who struggle with dependency. We know how Dependent Personality Disorder can steal people’s uniqueness. Fighting for who you are can be a challenge, but it is worth the effort.

Dependent Personality Disorder’s Risk Factors

Understanding how Dependent Personality Disorder develops is important because it can easily be mistaken for normal childhood development or cultural practices. For example, certain cultural emphasize passive behavior toward authority figures and deference toward caregivers. Certain actions, in isolation, can look like dependency, but given an individual’s context, cultural practices are not Dependent Personality Disorder. Similarly, it is developmentally appropriate for children and teens to depend upon their parents or guardians. This is not dependency either.

The full diagnostics are outlined in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Dependent Personality Disorder (301.6[F70.7]) raises an individual’s risk factor for other mental health problems, including other adjustment, personality, anxiety, and depressive disorders.

Dependent Personality Disorder’s Diagnostics

Dependent Personality Disorder is about behaviors, but those behaviors are fueled by beliefs. The disorder teaches people several untrue things about themselves. It teaches them that they are not capable of fulfilling their own emotional and material needs. It teaches them that they are helpless on their own. It teaches them that they need other people to meet their needs. These beliefs fuel clinginess and anxiety and self-degradation.

The DSM-5 outlines the behaviors and emotions that result from these beliefs. The main diagnostics for the disorder are:

  1. Behavior that is very deferential.
  2. A core need for someone to provide for them.
  3. Anxiety when disconnected from care givers.

Additionally, at least five of the following will be displayed:

  • Needing excessive advice and reassurance for making any decision, even what color sweater to buy or where to eat out for lunch.
  • Feeling discomfort when by oneself—going to extremes not to be alone.
  • Abdicating authority of a significant portion of one’s life—handing over responsibility to a caregiver for things like paying the bills.
  • Changing one’s ideas, values, preferences, beliefs, and thoughts in order to ensure nurture and support from an authority figure or caregiver.
  • Experiencing a deep-seated dread of abandonment, especially by a caregiver.
  • Complying easily to what an authority figure demands.
  • When one caretaking relationship ends or fails, replacing it quickly with another.

It is easy to see from these symptoms how Dependent Personality Disorder can severely hinder an individual’s ability to function well in life. Personally, people who struggle with dependency struggle to form and maintain true friendships that do not evolve into a caretaking relationship. They often have social circles that are limited to their family. Professionally, it can be difficult from them to secure employment or advance in a career because they often lack confidence and do not take initiative—two important factors for professional success.

Setting Up Therapy at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough for Dependent Personality Disorder

If you are struggling with dependency, know that you can live your own, unique, independent life. With treatment, many people who have Dependent Personality Disorder are able to heal the wounds that the disorder causes and learn just how capable they are. The path to independence is unique for each person, but for many, working with a mental health professional is an important first step. A skilled therapist can tailor a holistic and individualized plan for your particular needs.

If you are ready to meet with a mental health professional, the therapists at Thriveworks in Westborough are ready to meet with you. When you call our office, a real person will answer (not a voicemail) and help you schedule an appointment. New clients are often able to meet with their therapist the day after their first call. Weekend and evening sessions are offered. We also accept many different forms of insurance. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks in Westborough 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 Westborough therapists and counselors accept 24 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

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Westborough
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

4.8 Thriveworks Westborough reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Read more Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Westborough Apr 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve had a wonderful experience. The staff is punctual and kind.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Read more Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Read more I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Read more My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Westborough Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Read more For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Westborough Jun 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Just met Greg today so far everything went well.
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Good chat with Stephanie
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Westborough is located at 5 E Main St Suite 3, Westborough, MA 01581, in the same building as Berkshire Bank.

Phone number

(774) 252-7733

Languages spoken by MA providers

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

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

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