Book Review: Integrated Treatment for Personality Disorder: A Modular Approach

Abstract

Over the last 25 years, a range of evidence-based therapies for personality disorder have become available—yet none stands out as demonstrably more effective than the rest. This pragmatic book emphasizes the benefits of weaving together multiple well-established intervention strategies to meet each patient's needs. The editors present a systematic yet flexible framework for delivering integrative care in a thoughtful, coordinated fashion. Bringing together prominent treatment developers who describe how to implement their respective approaches within a unified model, the volume is richly illustrated with clinical material. The book begins by providing a cogent rationale for integrative treatment. Tightly edited chapters delve into the transdiagnostic mechanisms underlying personality disorder and offer guidelines for conducting assessment, constructing a comprehensive case formulation, and planning treatment. Emphasis is given to building the strong therapeutic relationship that is so crucial in working with this population, and resolving ruptures that invariably occur. Contributors then present strategies for addressing core aspects of personality pathology. The modular format allows clinicians to select and use any effective intervention that might help a given patient, rather than following a single protocol. Methods are discussed for managing suicidality and other crises, combining therapy with medication, targeting emotional dysregulation, cultivating mindfulness, promoting healthier interpersonal functioning, and addressing self and identity problems. A chapter-length case example of a patient struggling with multiple problems demonstrates the unified model in action. Providing tools and insights that will be of value to both seasoned therapists and those just learning their craft, this book will be read with interest by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses, as well as graduate students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)