Personality Difficulties & Emotion Regulation
Some difficulties don't arrive as a single episode. They've been there for most of a person's life - emotional intensity that's hard to manage, relationships that follow painful patterns, a persistent sense of emptiness or not knowing who you really are.
These kinds of presentations are among the more complex in psychology and were once believed to be untreatable - research since has told a very different story. With evidence-based psychological therapy, meaningful and lasting change is possible.
What personality difficulties can look like
Intense, rapidly shifting emotions that feel hard to control
Persistent difficulties in relationships - patterns of conflict, intense closeness followed by falling out
An uncertain or unstable sense of who you are
Impulsive behaviour - in spending, substance use, relationships or other areas
Persistent feelings of emptiness or emotional numbness
Difficulty managing anger
Ongoing depression, anxiety or distress that doesn't fully respond to standard treatment
Patterns of social avoidance, people-pleasing or interpersonal control
Conditions we work with
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Other personality disorder presentations
Emotional dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties that don't fit a formal diagnosis
Assessment
Personality concerns require careful assessment before treatment begins. This involves understanding a person's history, the specific patterns causing difficulty, and whether other conditions might be contributing. In some cases, a formal personality assessment may be recommended.
Funding options
Medicare (Mental Health Care Plan from your GP)
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
WorkCover / Motor Accident Scheme / SIRA
Private health insurance
Private (self-funded)
Sessions are available in person at Meadows Medical Centre, Mullumbimby, or via Telehealth.